Auntie Em, Auntie Em! Cupcakes and Cafe Eats

Auntie Em's is a comfy-cozy little spot in Eagle Rock that offers baked goods and cafe-style eats in a colorful and warm atmosphere. We rubbed our hands together (should we have clicked our heels three times?) in anticipation of their cupcakes, which we've been steered towards by some fans. We also were hungry for some lunch. There's plenty to choose from on the menu board in the soup-salad-sandwich family. We opted for one of their daily specials, which was an open-faced melted Brie with pear sandwich. To warm our California windy winter-chilled selves we also opted for a cup of their soup, which was potato bacon. Oh, and the cupcakes! They were practically calling our names from behind their glass cases; they're on the big side, frosted in luxurious peaks, and placed strategically right in front of your face when you walk in. Because we were firmly committed to cupcake-ing, we had to turn away from the other baked good case full of treats, like a smores brownie, and even oaty cupcakes for canine friends. At Auntie Em's it's order at the counter style and grab a seat. We happily hummed along to the latest Spoon cd that was playing, ogled the cheese and gourmet goodies housed in their annex shop, and then awaited our food, which arrived in shifts in the hands of the staff.

The soup was a bit of a letdown, since when potato is the main ingredient you expect a chowder, or a thicker stock base, but this was a light, watery cream soup with wedges of red-skinned potatoes floating about amongst bits of celery and bacon. The flavor was good, but we'd hoped for something heartier. Our main course looked gorgeous, and tasted great, too. It was very simple, just pieces of Brie melted on perfectly buttered bread topped with slices of pear and fresh dill, with a small side of mixed greens. Our fellow luncher was just as sad about the soup, but equally taken by their B.L.A.S.T. sandwich, which is Applewood Smoked Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado, Sprouts & Mayo on a Rosemary Roll. Those gorgeous cupcakes (one carrot cake, one cream-filled lavender) had to be relegated to takeout boxes, and enjoyed the next morning. Our lavender cupcake was pretty good; it was very dense and cakey, with just a thimble-full of cream filling so tiny we're not even sure what it was made of. We'll have to go back and sample some others to get an accurate cupcake-take.

Auntie Em's Kitchen
4616 Eagle Rock Boulevard, Eagle Rock
(323) 255-0800