Saratoga casual breakfast and lunch: The Cupcake Lab, Saratoga Coffee Traders, Bettie's Cakes, Bruegger's, and the Bread Basket

I stopped in to all of these places last week and I had some thoughts on each of them.

The Cupcake Lab - Location, location, location.  Holy cow, Bring your compass or GPS - it is in an out of the way location.  It's technically accessible from Broadway, but only if you know exactly which door to walk in (Roohan Realty - the left (south) end of the building.  The main entrance is off of Long Alley.  Yes, Alley.  Not exactly prime frontage for a business that relies on walk in customers.  The inside is odd also, with almost a corporate cafeteria feel.  It is roomy, almost cavernous feeling in fact, and there are some cushioned areas to relax as well as some tables.   To me it lacks ambience, but If Uncommon Grounds is too crowded for you, then this may be the place for some peace and quiet.  The two cupcakes my friend and I shared on a recent visit were just OK, one seemed a little dry, and the frosting on the other was a little too sugary.  Best Eats seems to agree on the dryness issue as well as the inside  - and for more commentary on the oddness of the location and interior, read You Idiot's entry here.  I went in to try a popover, which is something different for the Saratoga casual dining scene, but they were somewhat busy at the time and all out of them, and they ran out of the pulled pork for the sandwiches as well.  Hopefully I will get back there soon to try one of their popovers or other more unique fare. Locational issues notwithstanding, it could very well be a nice alternative during track season when the more popular breakfast places have lines out the door and that early meal becomes a 90 minute journey.  I will also say the staff is very friendly and accomodating. 

ADDED:  I've become a fan of The Cupcake Lab since this posting, and it even made an honorable mention on my "Top 10 Coolest Places in Saratoga" post.  The food there is excellent and it is very comfortable.   

 

• Since The Cupcake Lab was out of the items I wanted to try, and the other things on their menu didn't entice me at the time, I decided to try out Saratoga Coffee Traders.  I sometimes feel sorry for Saratoga Coffee Traders - Uncommon Grounds is down the street with ridiculously long lines at times, and SCT is there, ready and willing to offer quality food in a comfortable atmosphere.  SCT is usually not empty by any means, but I sometimes wish Uncommon Grounds customers would spread the wealth a little and come down Broadway a bit.  Anyway, SCT is just a little different, and I enjoyed my Citation sandwich - which consisted of grilled chicken, provolone, artichoke hearts, lettuce, tomatoes, and a just spicy enough cucumber wasabi cream - I chose the wrap but you can also get it on a bagel or pita. It was a bit creative and very good - and what made it even a bit more unique was the side serving of cheddar popcorn that their sandwiches come with.  At 8 bucks, it was a little more than other sandwiches in town, but it was a quality sandwich and SCT has coupons in the clipper magazine (a stack of which are available two doors down at Bruegger's) and sometimes on their web site (which needs to be updated with current prices), so perhaps you can save some money using those options.   

 

 

• Speaking of Bruegger's, The T-U's Places and Spaces blog is reporting that all Brueggers' will be getting a makeover.  According to the company, the new prototypes will feature brick-and-stone hearths, while the “ordering station will take a cue from European bakeries, with a wider array of fresh baked goods, including desserts and freshly baked breads.”  The commenters on the blog had a one word description for the new design:  Panera. 
• One of The Cupcake Lab's competitors, at least for the sweet stuff,  is of course Bettie's Cakes.  Bettie's has the fun approach with the pink 50s motif and fun props from the double decker bus to someone out front dressed like (what else?) a cupcake handing out coupons.  Good for them for reaching out to customers and having some fun.  Obviously the Cupcake Lab's approach is different and it's not going to copy Bettie's Cakes, but if the Lab is going to get customers in its (literally) back room location, they better find some creative and effective ways of their own to do so. 

 

• Last but certainly not least, I am a fan and regular customer of The Bread Basket, which apparently has a new web site.  The place is just abuzz and lively seemingly all morning and afternoon, and with good reason.  The food, from wholesome soups and sandwiches on their own fresh baked bread to really great cookies, cupcakes and other sweet treats, is simply top quality and delicious.  Their new outdoor patio (in below photo, just beyond sign in front of the blue awning) will be opening in May, which will be all the more reason to go there to have your coffee, breakfast, or lunch while overlooking Congress Park. 

 

So there are my thoughts on a few counter service casual restaurants in the Spa City.  On a related note, You Idiot reported that Johnny's Italian Ice opened up on Broadway this past weekend, as did of course PJ's BBQ.   Thank God Saratoga is an active town with plenty of places to walk, jog, and bike, otherwise we'd all be 300 pounds

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