Milwaukee - Sendik's for a Wedding Cake or ???

[torta basilica]

Sorry, wedding-planning from cross-country is tough. Has anyone had any experience with Sendik's (Silver Spring) wedding cakes? My niece is looking for something fairly simple but delicious & their prices are about half of what other bakeries the Country Club suggested are. Is this a really really good or bad idea? Any other suggestions also much appreciated!

[torta basilica]

Back from the wedding and the Sendiks wedding cake was truly wonderful - simple, beautiful & elegant, had a thin layer of custard between layers & totally moist & delicious. People were raving. And... for all you wedding planners out there - if you have a relative or connection (probably even worth it to join...), the Blue Mound Country Club was an absolutely beautiful setting. They did a wonderful job & the menu was the best I've had at any wedding, let alone most restaurants ever (definitely beat Sanford, Bacchus, etc. for sheer deliciousness):

- Strawberry Romaine Salad, Monterey Jack cheese, Bourbon Roasted Pecans, Red Wine Vinagrette
- Truffle Infused Chicken Breast, Ragout of Pancetta, Leeks & French Beans, Mashed Potatoes, Sauteed Asparagus
- Rolls with Butter Roses (so pretty!)

Realize I'm ranting & raving, but incredible dinner.

[WilhemB]

Another thought: Simma's on 68th. We moved here from NYC a year ago and have used them for my inlaw's 50th anniversery as well as for a birthday party. Reliable and real.

http://www.simmasbakery.com/

[TexasGirl50]

I actually have a similar experience. I am from San Antonio and needed to order my cake for our wedding in Milwaukee. I just used google and found this bakery called Aggie's Cakes. Her prices were cheaper than other Milwaukee bakeries, but I do not know what your budget is. The ordering process was pretty simple, I just emailed her what I wanted and we confirmed during one phone call. More importantly, the cakes was UNBELIEVABLE! It was gorgeous and tasted awesome. I received many compliments and now everytime we travel back to Milwaukee we order a small cake. So I was extremely happy with my choice. However, I have never had Sendik's cakes so I really could not compare the two, but I would assume a specialty shop would have better cakes than a grocery store/food market.

[pddoty]

I had Sendik's Mequon (Same family, same company) make my wedding cake in summer of '07. They made a more traditional 3 tier circle cake for show and I had them make matching flavor sheet cakes to cover the remaining guests. The cake was absolutely awesome! We had butter cream frosting with a raspberry (or strawberry) filling. I have since returned to Sendik's to have them make the exact same flavor cake for other occasions including my wife's birthday where they made it in the shape of a dress. (She's a fashion major.) Sendik's even delivered the cake just like the big-name bakeries. Like you mentioned, I paid a fraction of the price for the cake than I would have at a "baker." Just a word of warning, not all Sendik's are created equal. :) There are several companies that have the Sendik's name but the ones you want are the Sendik's Food Markets. (They have that great red bag.) You can see which stores are theirs at www.sendiksmarket.com.

[torta basilica]

Thank you so much, pddoty - great info that I will pass on! And yes, I know all Sendik's aren't created equal, having married a Milwaukeean :) My favorite is the one on Oakland - that's owned by the family, isn't it?

[pddoty]

Nope, that one is owned by John Nehring who was accused of stealing produce last year.

[torta basilica]

Yes, husband informed me of my error. I still like it the best - maybe because it was my first & feels more like a European food market to me.