You takes the cake.

Thanks to Doug.

The day before The North College Hill Bakery fiasco I decided to go out in search of a quant little place to have a bit of a snack. As I drive down Hamilton Ave my eye catches a sleek little sign on the center window of a contemporary looking cafe that read Take the Cake. I look for a parking space and pulled in. A short walk away I follow the hall way to the side door of what turns out to be an open kitchen almost half the size of the building. A small case of home made pastries greet me just past the door. To the right stands a lunch counter full of midday lunchers nibbling on soups, salads and sandwiches of the day. To the left is a sofa and side chairs to mingle at your leisure while feasting away on sweets and sipping on a cup of hot coffee. Two oversized country kitchen tables stained in a dark finish sit under the large window that looks out onto the street. The tables are flanked with Ikia or West Elm molded scoop back chairs in a multicolored print. Strangers all sit together so one can eavesdrop on others conversations. One of my favorite pastimes at a restaurant. Large art cover the walls maybe painted by a local artist. This place was just what I had in mind a bit of urban delight.

A very polite young woman at the counter asks what I thought I would like and suggest the apple cobbler. I agree, and am told to help myself to a cup of coffee. I choose the sofa as my resting place and set myself down, pick up a mag from the coffee table and go to town on my treat.

The cobbler was baked into a pie pan not a casserole dish. The pan was lined with pastry layered with apples and covered with another layer of pastry. The slice was in a triangle shape like a piece of pie. Unique and delish at the same time. With the hot coffee, it was over the top.

Not seeing any cakes in the case I didn’t think to ask about ordering a birthday cake. I picked up a business card with the web site address for Take the Cake, pay my very reasonable bill and drove away to go order my cake at NCHB. Little did I know I would be back the next day begging for mercy.

Settling in at home I opened my new traveling lap top and typed in the address for TTK. The page comes up full of cute little graphics of sweets, pictures and note cards to direct you to information about the cafe and all the wonderful thinks you can expect to find there. I scroll down and find a card that reads “ we do wedding cakes.” I click on it to find an array of bright colorful pictures of cakes fit for any occasion. #@$%%^&^(*)*)_&(%!!! Why didn’t I think to ask? Oh well the deed is done. A cake from NCHB is what it will be then.

TTK is run and operated by two talented people Melissa Mileto and Doug Feulkner, Both foodies by nature which explains the menu choices. On any given day you may find things like Chickpea stew, Mustard Green/Tomato/Fontina Quiche, Panko Talapia Salad or sandwich with Roasted Russet Potatoes. The menu changes often.

The following day after leaving the NCHB cakeless I find myself driving all the way back home in a daze. As I pull into the driveway it comes to me. Why don’t you try TTK? Anything they have would be better then the mess I was just presented with at NCHB. I pull back out and head down Hamilton Ave towards TTK. As I pull open the door Doug Is at the counter. With his welcoming smile and asks, How can I help you? I explain that I have just had a cake disaster and would beg if I had to get a cake from him. Just my luck he had two rounds of un-iced cake in the back and could put it together in a sec. How would you like the cake? He adds. What I have a choice? I’ll take what ever you have. I respond with a smile on my face of relief. Ten minutes later I am out the door with a wonderful cake filled with caramel and and says Happy Birthday. I left off the Michael this time. Along with the cake I have instructions. Keep the cake level so it won’t slid, Doug suggests. A newly iced cakes should always be refrigerated for at least two hours before traveling to set the filling. This I know, but what can I do the birthday dinner is tonight and I still have to go home and get pretty. I place the jewel gingerly on the floorboard and off I go. Back at the house I get the box into the fridge and myself in the shower.

It’s now time to go pick up the birthday boy from work and take him to dinner. On the way out the door I decide to backup, go into the kitchen and take a look at the cake.

#^$^%%&))(*&^%^%%!!!

I push the cake back together as best I can, take a deep breath, clear my head and off I go.