A Dessert Revolution

New dessert shops make Houston a much sweeter place: It's not just about cupcakes anymore

Despite the fact that ice cream parlors have been around for more than a century — offering that one, single, storied treat — some of us are still confounded when we hear of a new specialty dessert shop. Sure, cupcakeries have been around for a few years now, but these days we’ve got more unique options popping up like mushrooms all over Houston.

And truly they make sense. Specialty shops allow owners to concentrate on that one thing they love most. They can hone textures and flavors and processes, all to offer a more perfect treat.

I’m still hoping/waiting/praying for a pudding shop to open in these parts, but here are a few of our other recent (and semi-recent) dessert shop favorites to tide us over in the meantime.

The Bungalow Baker
Elizabeth Poirrier quit a successful career in pharmaceuticals to return to culinary school — and we’re sure glad she did. Now she’s the Bungalow Baker (in her Heights bungalow, of course), offering what we think are the best and most beautiful iced cookies in town. Order ‘em up for your next occasion — or just to have around.

Recently Elizabeth has started taking orders for cupcakes and sheet cakes, too.

Teacake Factory
Sugar Land is even sweeter now that we’ve found the Teacake Factory. Teacakes are a southern delicacy — neither a cake nor a cookie, but kind of a cake-like cookie. Heavy on the butter, light on the sweet, all delicious.

Traditional teacakes are plain or lemon-flavored, but the Teacake Factory offers several kicked-up varieties, including blueberry, butterscotch, coconut, red velvet and more.

Dolce Delights
We’re still enamored of the not-too-sweet treats at Midtown’s Dolce Delights: Gorgeous mini layer cakes filled with mousses and fruit purees, which give the cakes plenty of flavor and texture without a whole lot of sugary sweetness. They make for a lovely afternoon snack or ideal ending to a nice meal. (Dolce Delights also offers coffees, teas and a basic sandwich list.)

Nothing Bundt Cakes
Traditional cake lovers, here’s one for you. Stop by Nothing Bundt Cakes (at Post Oak/Westheimer) to check out the rainbow of beautifully cute cakes in various sizes. The mini-est is ideal for one to two people, while the maxi-est serves quite a crowd. Flavors range from chocolate, lemon, and red velvet to pecan-praline, cinnamon swirl and carrot.

Macaron by Patisse
As macarons enjoy their time in the spotlight, Houston welcomes Macaron by Patisse in the River Oaks Shopping Center on West Gray. Owner Sukaina Rajani is a self-taught baker, now crafting dozens of glorious flavors of macarons in her shop daily. Our favorite flavors so far are the lovely Blueberry Vanilla and life-altering Salted Caramel.

Order ‘em for a party, give as a gift, or just grab a box to have around.

Mighty Sweet Mini Pies
Open for little more than a month now, this family-run mini-pie shop in the Heights has carved out a niche and developed a following. The owners make hundreds of mini-pies from scratch a day, and while Pecan Pie is almost always on the list, the other four daily flavors rotate.

We’re always too slow to catch the Key Lime and Peanut Butter Chocolate, but heartily recommend the German Chocolate and Tangerine Chess.

Tiff’s Treats
Tiff’s Treats, an Austin-based biz, broke into the Houston market last year, tempting us with 10 daily types of fresh-baked cookies. The tiny storefront on the 59 feeder (near Weslayan) receives such a steady stream of traffic that they’ve opened additional spots in Midtown and the Med Center. Cookies are soft and chewy, and at 90 cents each, they won’t break your budget.

Candylicious
Houston’s ultimate sugar stop, Candylicious features a stunning array of colorful candies. The modern options are appealing, but the real reason to go is the retro stuff, throwbacks to the decades of old: rock candy, salt water taffy, pop rocks, swirl pops, orange slices, jelly beans, gum drops and more. It’s nostalgia unleashed. And don’t worry — there are plenty of chocolate options, too.

Did we miss your favorite? It happens — and we’re always looking for new places to try. Let us know your favorite specialty dessert shops in the comments section below.

You know you'll want more than one, so grab a box of 12 for $25 at Macaron by Patisse.

Sugar High Houston desserts and pastries April 2013 Macaron by Patisse

Photo by Ruthie Miller

You know you'll want more than one, so grab a box of 12 for $25 at Macaron by Patisse.

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new neighborhood bar

Exclusive: New pub flies into familiar Montrose space with NY-style pizza

A Galleria-area Irish pub has claimed a prime Montrose space for its second location. Ducky’s Pizza and Tavern is now operating in a quiet, soft opening phase in the former Riel space at 1927 Fairview Street.

It’s the latest project from veteran Houston restaurateur Michael Collins, who owns the original Ducky McSweeney’s Irish Pub near the Galleria, as well as Sushi on Post Oak and Midtown sushi staple The Fish.

“We’ve been after that building for a couple of years and knew Ducky’s would be a good fit for the neighborhood,” Collins tells CultureMap.

From his perspective, Ducky’s blend of a casual, sports bar atmosphere with well made pizza should appeal to area residents looking for a place to gather to watch a game or blow off some steam after work. By serving food until 1:30 am, he also hopes to draw in workers from Montrose’s numerous restaurants and bars.

“Those guys at Riel did a great job. They had a fantastic run,” Collins says. “It was time for a change in the neighborhood. I think all of Houston is just looking for somewhere casual to hang out.”

Completing their work in just 35 days after Riel’s closure in August, Collins and his team have made the space their own with some simple cosmetic changes, starting with new exterior signage. Inside, patrons will notice the new TVs on the walls to follow all of the night’s games. One of the other additions is Ducky’s use of classic Houston blue-and-white subway tiles that spell out “I (heart symbol) Montrose.” At the far end of the restaurant, diners will find a couple of dart boards for a little friendly competition. Collins also added some additional air conditioning units to help keep the interior temps down.

Photo by Eric Sandler

Ducky's Pizza Tavern is now open in Montrose.

At the heart of the menu are Ducky’s New York-style pizzas, which are baked in a deck-style pizza oven that’s been installed at the bar. Customers have a range of options, starting with traditional pies like pepperoni, the Montrose (prosciutto and arugula with a balsamic glaze), meat lovers, a simple vodka sauce with basil, and a classic Hawaiian. On the more adventurous side, consider the H-Town, made with brisket, blackened shrimp, jalapenos, and Alfredo sauce, or the Al Pastor, topped with pork, pineapple, onion, cilantro, and salsa verde ranch. All of Ducky’s pizzas are available in a shareable, 14-inch size or a personal nano. Gluten free dough is also available.

Patrons may supplement their pizzas with shareable bites such as meatballs, chicken wings, crab rangoon cheesy toast, spinach bacon dip, or nachos. Sandwiches, including a cheeseburger, salads, and house made carrot cake round out the menu.

On the cocktail side, look for riffs on classics such as the apple-flavored Ciderita or the Basic Witch, an espresso martini topped with egg white foam. Collins says he’s stocking a more premium selection of wine and liquor than the original location near the Galleria, since that what Montrose residents expect from their bars.

“It’s an affluent neighborhood,” he says. “We want to give people what they expect.”

ducky's pizza and tavern montrose news-you-can-eat openings pizza