Tonnie's Minis

Tonnie's Minis
264 Lenox Blvd.
New York, NY 10027

March 26, 2011

I found out about this place from Twitter. I was contacted by Tonnie's_Minis through Monica eats New York about this new place that sells miniature cupcakes. I was excited because although I'm not a big cupcake fan, I love sweets. I'll try anything sweet. Cakes, cookies, danish..if it's sweet, I'll try it. I decided to go on a Saturday around lunch time, therefore it wouldn't be that crowded and  I can get a good look at the place.

I arrived by train, which lets you off on 125th and Lennox avenue. As I was walking toward's 123rd street, I kept looking for the store. I almost passed it because the store is next to a brownstone and is recessed from the street. I wouldn't have believed it was the store except for one lonely sandwich board to advertise the free samples. I was still game so I went in. The inside is small but quaint, which is what you'll expect from a bakery. I was expecting to sit down with my delectables but there weren't any tables or chairs, but that's not such a big deal, I'm there for the food. There were two other customers upon arrival. One for the samples and one to order for a large party. The person helping her (he seemed like the owner) did not look interested at all. The customer seemed unsure about the type of order she wanted to place and was going back and forth with the "owner" and someone on the phone. The "owner" did not efficiently or effectively suggest choices, and help the customer with her potential order. She ended up making a decision on her own, ordered and left.

I got on line and looked at the order board. I was able to make my own cupcake. Wonderful. You are able to pick the cake, pick the frosting and pick the topping, which was really the concept of the store, but I wouldn't have known because there weren't any decor in the place. No signs, no advertisement, no specified concept, and if you can make your own cupcake, why advertise "mini" when mini cupcakes were for samples and the majority of their stock were for regular sized cupcakes?

The employee that helped me was so knowledgeable. He offered suggestions, he told me good flavor combinations and he knew all the price points of all the individual and bulk cupcakes that can be purchased. He gave me extra samples, even though I had already made a purchase. I was so impressed, he acted like he owned the store and seemed to know it inside and out.

I had the chocolate cake w/ strawberry frosting, red velvet w/cream cheese frosting, golden cake w/butter cream, golden cake w/ strawberry frosting and chocolate cake w/ cream cheese frosting-upon recommendation. My favorite was the red velvet because it was cooked the best. The other cakes, especially the chocolate weren't cooked enough and weren't flavorful enough, but I did like the chocolate and cream cheese combination. I also liked the frosting to cake ratio and the frosting on most cupcakes weren't too sweet.

When I left, I left with the knowledge that I was eating something that I picked but had help to make an informed decision. I do hope that over time they will fix these issues and truly become a success.

Cons
1. No signage visible from the street. The main traffic is near the train station which has restaurants like Jimbos, Red rooster and Sylvia's and stores like CVS. Being that the store is recessed you can't see them or even know they are there. They need more street signs and/or balloons to attract customers.
2. There's no warmth. You don't feel warm and comfortable. It feels like a get in-get out atmosphere. There aren't any pictures on the walls or tables and chairs or anything that says your welcome here.
3. Cupcakes under done and not enough flavor in the cake itself.
4. Misleading concept.


Pros
1. I love the concept. Make your own cupcake. What I want, however I want it.
2. Great location. Two blocks from the train station.
3. Small but quaint bakery.
4. Knowledgeable staff
5. You can also get latte's, coffee's, milks, hot chocolate and other pies and cakes.

Here's my rating, 1-5:
Atmosphere-1
Customer service-5
Taste-2
Flavor combinations-4
Price-4 for a regular size $2.50
Decor-1