Taking the (cup)cake

Taking the (cup)cake The cupcake craze continues unabated, with two new cupcake-centric bakeries opening their doors in the past week.

Owners Sheela Namakkal and Emily Moore Harris have launched their Cake Eater Bakery and Cafe (2929 E. 25th St., Mpls., www.cakeaterbakery.com) in the former home of the Clicquot Club. In their colorful, sunny shop, the pair specialize in elaborate cupcakes done up in unusual combinations -- lime-chile-mango-sea salt, vanilla-rhubarb, chocolate-salted caramel -- along with muffins and scones. Vegan options, too.

At 50th and France, the former Premier Cheese Market storefront has been transformed into Sweet Retreat (5013 France Av. S., Mpls., www.thesweet retreatmn.com), where single-serving goodies include coffee-infused chocolate cake crowned with a gigantic swirl of vanilla buttercream frosting, and red velvet cake finished with vanilla bean-cream cheese icing.

By the bottle Fans of the fresh ginger ales served at Big Bowl (three Twin Cities locations, www.bigbowl.com) -- I think I'm a charter member of that club -- will be pleased to hear that founder Bruce Cost is now bottling the restaurants' bright, ultra-ginger-ey taste sensation.

The formula for Fresh Ginger Ginger Ale by Bruce Cost isn't complicated, just carbonated water, cane sugar and plenty of freshly grated ginger, with all that pulp settling to the bottom of the bottle, requiring a gentle shake before serving. The tangy results -- not too sweet, not too spicy -- are uniquely refreshing. Price: Roughly $1.75 per 12-oz. longneck bottle, and currently available at Twin Cities Cub Foods stores. Cost also offers pomegranate/hibiscus- and jasmine tea-infused varieties.

Around town The Galleria's latest restaurant will arrive with an established name: Lynn Gordon of the French Meadow Bakery & Cafe (2610 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., www.frenchmeadowcafe. com). When Gordon's latest effort opens this summer, Peoples Organic Coffee - Wine Cafe will offer organic foods (lunch, dinner and takeout) and fair-trade coffees (brewed from Peoples Organic beans, roasted in Le Center, Minn.) plus wine and beer. Look for a patio.

May 1 is the scheduled opening day for Roman Anthony's (1350 E. Hwy. 96, White Bear Lake, www.romananthonys.com). Chef Justin Grecco, owner of Grecco's on the St. Croix (115 N. Washington St., St. Croix Falls, Wis., www.greccos.com), is turning his attention to classic Italian fare prepared using locally raised ingredients.

In Uptown, Zeno has become Fusion (2919 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., www.fusionmpls.com).

Craving gelato in downtown Minneapolis? At his La Belle Crepe (825 Nicollet Mall, www.labellecrepe.com), owner Alain Lenne is scooping up nine flavors from Jackson's Coffee & Gelato (820 W. Lake St., Mpls., www.jacksonscoffeeandgelato.com).

The tables are set, but the lights are out and the phone is temporarily disconnected at Zen Authentic Szechuan and Hunan Cuisine (3016 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., www.zenmpls.com). That can't be good, right?

RICK NELSON