Foods from Isobel and Company
Comments
2011 Oct 20
new location has opened in hintonburg, across the street from hintonburger and next door to soon to be open hintonburg public house.
bought 3 cupcakes to try and was given a free bag of small iced cookies.
Edit to add my thoughts:
I figured I wouldn't have to reply on how the cupcakes tasted, they are cake and cake tastes good. Well sadly, I was a little disappointed. We tried vanilla espresso (vanilla cake, chocolate fill & espresso icing) and lemon (vanilla cake, lemon curd filling, lemon icing) and the kids cupcake (vanilla cake, butter cream frosting). For the non-kid cupcakes, the cake was very crumbly and the icing and filling popped off the cake which made it hard to eat. The best tasting part was the filling. I found the frosting had the greasy mouth feel I associate with shortening. I actually wished the cupcake and icing were sweeter.
The kid's cupcake reviewer gives it 2 thumbs up. The reviewer refused to share, but I had a quick taste of icing. I preferred the simple frosting on this to the fancier cupcakes.
kids cupcakes are $2, others are $2.50.
I'd go back as a treat for my son, but I don't think I'll be eating many cakes from here.
That being said, just because I didn't care for it doesn't mean you won't. I am really glad to see this block being used for something other than junk dealers and sincerely hope the shop does well.
bought 3 cupcakes to try and was given a free bag of small iced cookies.
Edit to add my thoughts:
I figured I wouldn't have to reply on how the cupcakes tasted, they are cake and cake tastes good. Well sadly, I was a little disappointed. We tried vanilla espresso (vanilla cake, chocolate fill & espresso icing) and lemon (vanilla cake, lemon curd filling, lemon icing) and the kids cupcake (vanilla cake, butter cream frosting). For the non-kid cupcakes, the cake was very crumbly and the icing and filling popped off the cake which made it hard to eat. The best tasting part was the filling. I found the frosting had the greasy mouth feel I associate with shortening. I actually wished the cupcake and icing were sweeter.
The kid's cupcake reviewer gives it 2 thumbs up. The reviewer refused to share, but I had a quick taste of icing. I preferred the simple frosting on this to the fancier cupcakes.
kids cupcakes are $2, others are $2.50.
I'd go back as a treat for my son, but I don't think I'll be eating many cakes from here.
That being said, just because I didn't care for it doesn't mean you won't. I am really glad to see this block being used for something other than junk dealers and sincerely hope the shop does well.
2011 Aug 31
Went into this what use to be a cute cupcake shop. I had noticed how run down the outside had become so I needed to know if this was a reflection of their product. I must say I was very dissappointed the cupcake I purchased was small and frankly expensive. Now I know why I stopped going, and I even lost a few pounds
2010 Oct 12
Had a chocolate cupcake - and it was so good! I now understand the hype around cupcakes - it was super moist and chocolaty.
Also got a very cheap marshmallow - that was not set properly. They must use less sugar or something - but it was gross.
Go for the cupcakes!
update: I've been back a couple of more times. All yummy cupcakes. Had the lemon curd one this time. Very good!
Also got a very cheap marshmallow - that was not set properly. They must use less sugar or something - but it was gross.
Go for the cupcakes!
update: I've been back a couple of more times. All yummy cupcakes. Had the lemon curd one this time. Very good!
2010 Aug 11
Stopped in on a hot day after seeing their sidewalk sign advertising homemade ginger ale. The ginger ale was tasty.. it was the first time I had had something like it, I don't have anything to compare it to, so it's hard to say much about it. Seemed like it could have had a touch more flavour, but was happy with it overall.
Also got their featured cupcake, the strawberry shortcake one, which was surprisingly small, but still decadent, though I wasn't all that crazy about it as a whole. Tried the coconut marshmallow cookie, which was great, and some green tea shortbread cookies, which were ok for the price (3 for 75cents) but not really up my alley.
The place is set up really nicely. We sat at the 'bar' and had our snacks inside. Cute shop.
The treats were just ok, and so the prices were a touch high for me (cupcake+cookie+ginger ale+shortbreads= ~$9).. all told, I won't rush back. This seems, though, like the kind of place that would kill in Westboro.
Also got their featured cupcake, the strawberry shortcake one, which was surprisingly small, but still decadent, though I wasn't all that crazy about it as a whole. Tried the coconut marshmallow cookie, which was great, and some green tea shortbread cookies, which were ok for the price (3 for 75cents) but not really up my alley.
The place is set up really nicely. We sat at the 'bar' and had our snacks inside. Cute shop.
The treats were just ok, and so the prices were a touch high for me (cupcake+cookie+ginger ale+shortbreads= ~$9).. all told, I won't rush back. This seems, though, like the kind of place that would kill in Westboro.
2009 Sep 1
Bought a half dozen cupcakes here recently, and was reasonably unimpressed. The chocolate cupcake was pretty fine (small crumb) and moist, but the keylime one had a very coarse crumb, and not to my liking. The filling on the keylime one was also uninspiring. The icing... I did not like. Although everyone seems to rave about the 'buttercream - no shortening' icing, it did not taste buttery, or creamy, and just tasted shortening-y. The icing was incredibly light, without a 'crust' so if that is your thing, you may like this icing. The size of the cupcake (smaller than I make at home) was not at all what I would expect for over $2 each. I would be more impressed with mini cakes (ramekin size) than what was there. I will not go back for cupcakes (poor value) but would consider a cake, to see how the full size ones stack up.
2009 May 21
My GF and I went to Isobel's yesterday afternoon. We immediately saw the cupcakes as we walked in and I was taken by the wonderful aroma. I checked out the price and it was $2.50 per cupcake. I was used to the cheaper superstore cupcakes, so I thought of only getting three.
My GF was checking out the cookies and bought a few. I saw they had "no tax" or "tax included" specials if you buy 6 or 12. So I bought six. We bought Lemon Curd, Espresso, Ganache, White Chocolate, Chocolate Orange and Vanilla Bean.
The Chocolate Orange stood out. My GF liked the Vanilla Bean. I forgot to take a pic because I wanted to try them out right away. Overall, it was nice, but a little pricey for me. Sure it's all fresh, but if you need a cake fix, I guess superstores are okay.
My GF was checking out the cookies and bought a few. I saw they had "no tax" or "tax included" specials if you buy 6 or 12. So I bought six. We bought Lemon Curd, Espresso, Ganache, White Chocolate, Chocolate Orange and Vanilla Bean.
The Chocolate Orange stood out. My GF liked the Vanilla Bean. I forgot to take a pic because I wanted to try them out right away. Overall, it was nice, but a little pricey for me. Sure it's all fresh, but if you need a cake fix, I guess superstores are okay.
Older
2009 Apr 15
I'm copying this from the Cupcake area, I didn't notice Isobel's listed in the vendor section.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, when it comes to food, mine just happens to be the correct one!! Hey - I just came up with my tag line!!!
Finally an actual "cupcake" shop in Ottawa. Isobel's on Beechwood. Absolutely fabulous. A friend brought a dozen to Easter dinner the other night. They looked so good we were almost fighting over them.
I managed to get a chocolate with white icing…. But it wasn’t plain old vanilla icing it was a white chocolate butter crème with crème cheese…. OMG…. And the cake part so moist and flavorful.
Needless to say, I had to go check the place out.
1st thing I noticed as I drive up… the pink and white, so welcoming. Then…. The door was opened and the smell that lingered in the air, I’m not even sure how to describe… sweet, fragrant, yummy… that’s it, yummy.
In I went…. Décor, very classy, pink and brown and very clean and the people, professional and friendly and to see them pouring this fresh made lemon curd into the bowl for the cupcake’s, I’m not talking sheriff’s here, the real thing… lemon zest and lots of squeezing J
At first I thought… more than $2 for a cupcake then I used my brain…. Look at the place, look at the ingredients, all nature favors, look at the art… WELL WELL Worth it. Go to the supermarket and get one of their deserts and compare… you’ll be back on Isobel’s doorstep pretty quick.
I settled on the chocolate ganache, lemon, the lime coconut, of course the white chocolate chocolate etc….
I tried the lime coconut for myself last night, I’m not going to try to explain the favor, you have to try. I quickly grab the other one in the box and hid it from my family.
This brings me to the end of my very 1st blog entry…. I’ve just finished my “best hidden secret” lime coconut cupcake and freshly brewed coffee… I’m sitting here with a smile on my face, I used a fork… and it’s been licked clean (I can do that, I’m in the privacy of my own home) it was truly a breakfast of champions.
Til the next time – Welcome to Ottawa Isobel’s, I’m sure glad someone finally had the business sense to make this move to cupcake specialty with a retail front!!! I’m not dissin’ the others who operate from home, I’m sure they are good… but to be able to go to New Edinburgh and get a coffee and a truly “gourmet” cupcake can’t be beat by having to order ahead….. wait…. Pick up or wait…. For delivery.
I can’t wait for my next celebration, I’ll be bringing cupcakes from Isobel’s, because there is no doubt in my mind everyone will walk away happy.
Sincerely,
Food Lover Ottawa
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, when it comes to food, mine just happens to be the correct one!! Hey - I just came up with my tag line!!!
Finally an actual "cupcake" shop in Ottawa. Isobel's on Beechwood. Absolutely fabulous. A friend brought a dozen to Easter dinner the other night. They looked so good we were almost fighting over them.
I managed to get a chocolate with white icing…. But it wasn’t plain old vanilla icing it was a white chocolate butter crème with crème cheese…. OMG…. And the cake part so moist and flavorful.
Needless to say, I had to go check the place out.
1st thing I noticed as I drive up… the pink and white, so welcoming. Then…. The door was opened and the smell that lingered in the air, I’m not even sure how to describe… sweet, fragrant, yummy… that’s it, yummy.
In I went…. Décor, very classy, pink and brown and very clean and the people, professional and friendly and to see them pouring this fresh made lemon curd into the bowl for the cupcake’s, I’m not talking sheriff’s here, the real thing… lemon zest and lots of squeezing J
At first I thought… more than $2 for a cupcake then I used my brain…. Look at the place, look at the ingredients, all nature favors, look at the art… WELL WELL Worth it. Go to the supermarket and get one of their deserts and compare… you’ll be back on Isobel’s doorstep pretty quick.
I settled on the chocolate ganache, lemon, the lime coconut, of course the white chocolate chocolate etc….
I tried the lime coconut for myself last night, I’m not going to try to explain the favor, you have to try. I quickly grab the other one in the box and hid it from my family.
This brings me to the end of my very 1st blog entry…. I’ve just finished my “best hidden secret” lime coconut cupcake and freshly brewed coffee… I’m sitting here with a smile on my face, I used a fork… and it’s been licked clean (I can do that, I’m in the privacy of my own home) it was truly a breakfast of champions.
Til the next time – Welcome to Ottawa Isobel’s, I’m sure glad someone finally had the business sense to make this move to cupcake specialty with a retail front!!! I’m not dissin’ the others who operate from home, I’m sure they are good… but to be able to go to New Edinburgh and get a coffee and a truly “gourmet” cupcake can’t be beat by having to order ahead….. wait…. Pick up or wait…. For delivery.
I can’t wait for my next celebration, I’ll be bringing cupcakes from Isobel’s, because there is no doubt in my mind everyone will walk away happy.
Sincerely,
Food Lover Ottawa
zymurgist