best bakery in nyc?

[paisley]

I want to find a great bakery for a birthday cake - made fresh -not one of those frozen cakes...
so far, i am thinking of: buttercup and magnolia - any suggestions or comments?

thanks!

[addictedtolunch]

Greenberg's. Ethnic thing, I guess- it's the tastes I grew up with, but better.

[serious]

Greenberg's cakes taste great and look good. They will also produce wonderful 'theme' decorations.

[HaveTasteWillTravel32]

Veneiros is so so seriouss.

but I must recommend....

LA BERGAMOTE!!!!!!!

18th & 9th!
All with ears should listen!

[sweetteeth69]

http://www.thechocolateroombrooklyn.com/1home/cafe.php

www.cheeksbakery.com

[Eddie H.]

Two Little Red Hens on 2nd Ave. at 86th St. Everything I've had is amazing, but definitely start with the Brooklyn Blackout Cupcake. Pure chocolate sin! The original outpost of the bakery is in Brooklyn, I believe.

~Eddie
http://oeno.blogspot.com

[RawTunaFan]

Try Soutine on the upper west side. After hearing Ruth Reichel rave about it on the radio once, we tried it out. Its definitely in a class above the usual magnolia, buttercup, Billy's and Crumbs -- in my opinion, those bakeries really suck. Anyone can follow a recipe on the bag of nestle chocolate chips, and thats what most of those folk's fare taste like. If thats more up your alley, try Little Hens on UES and Bklyn, but I think they have gone a little downhill as of late.

[Yaxpac]

I second the Veniero's recommendation. It is always my go to for a birthday cake. In fact I just got one for my mother's birthday! I recommend the simple strawberry shortcake and also the chocolate sponge cake with strawberries and bananas.

[alleyesq]

Don't go to the Cupcake Cafe. Though they make the most beautiful cakes in Gotham, the cakes are poor (i.e., very dry and tasteless) and the frosting tastes poisonous.

[JSHAFT78]

Veniero's has great cookies and cupcakes, but they make some beautiful b-day cakes. Here a link to their website that has some photos of custom cakes they've done: http://www.venierospastry.com/

[bullygirl]

If you're willing to cross the river, Carlos Bakery in Hoboken has amazing cakes.