Earlier Today: Opening of Sprinkles Cupcakes

I went to college in L.A. and still maintain close ties there. So when I heard that there was to be a Bay Area location of Sprinkles Cupcakes, the Beverly Hills treats that several friends and many media outlets have raved about, there was no question that I'd be there on the very first day, even if it was down in Palo Alto (at the Stanford Shopping Center). It would also be the perfect occasion to celebrate with Mike, whose birthday was yesterday and had the day off today, and Allison, whose birthday is tomorrow and managed to get off early this afternoon.

Lines form daily at the original 90210 location, so we knew we'd be in for a wait, but we didn't think about the weather.

After a 40 minute stay in 85-degree heat (which is withering for Franciscans), I happily took you with us on the first walk through the Sprinkles doors.

Walk in, gaze upon the flavors of the day and then make the difficult decision of narrowing it down. Because cheap, these are not: $3.25 for one; $19.50 for six; $36 a dozen.

A brief wait as your selections are lovingly boxed up.

Back in the cool breezes of the Sunset, I finally could examine my beauties:

(Clockwise from lower left: Two red velvets, milk chocolate, cinnamon sugar, black and white, chocolate marshmallow)

I also snuck a peek at the morsels Allison will be serving for dessert tomorrow night at her birthday party. I've got my eye on the strawberry sitting there right next to the red velvets:

The cream cheese frosting on the red velvet was worth my drive (and I don't like to drive all that much), and the body is perfectly moist. The chocolate marshmallow shames the Hostess cupcake with a dense, rich mouthfeel, and the cinnamon sugar has the same irresistible crunch as the beloved doughnut muffins made by Healdsburg's Downtown Bakery and sold each weekend at the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market. I'd have tasted the other two, only they are promised away to two friends that I'd like to keep!

Until they open a location in our city proper, is it worth a drive all the way from S.F. and all that money? That depends on your predilection for cupcakes and the quality of your road trip companions. In my case and even despite a steep price tag, it was well worth it for a special treat on a lovely day. —Tamara Palmer