Vendor rave/rant
On Saturday I had scheduled two concultations for cake tastings, and to possibly have a baker by the end of the day.
First I had an appointment in the Bronx at Conti's Bakery in Morris Park. I had called just before getting there because I was afraid that we would be 5 mins late and I wanted them to know this, they immediatly said that I could not be late and they couldnt accomodate the 5 minutes into their schedule and that I would have to wait for another time to get my appointment. I should have seen this as a sign to steer clear of this establishment, but instead I floored it and made it a few mins before my appointment time. This consultation had a $20 fee. That was fine with me, They sit us in the back of the shop right in front two random people sitting there drinking coffee. They then place a plate infront of us of six very thin slices of cake, 2 vanilla 2 chocolate and 2 red velvet. Next to 6 fillings, and just left us there after running over the flavors. I had no idea what I was eating, no one asked my budget, they left us there by ourselves and when their attention was called we had this clueless register girl who just looked at me like I was crazy and didnt take any of my ideas into account and just showed me a book and told me to choose one on top of telling me there was a 15% fee to have my 4 tiers different flavors.... OMG I ran from there.
Fastforward to the next appointment at Palermo's Bakery in Ridgefield NJ. I was amazed with the place from the moment I drove by it. Each desk had a computer where people could see past and recent works, they had plenty of sample wedding cakes for show, the bakery and the consultations were next door to one another so they gave you their total attention without having to worry about getting anyone coffee, we met with the owner of the place, a very nice woman. Its family owned, The consultation was free, we had 16 different pieces of cake, she took my ideas and showed me similar things they have done for other people and from there I customized my own cake. SHe helped get my idead out although I was all over the place she was patient. Not for one minute did I think oh let me look elsewhere or anything, I was ready to sign from the first moment! To top it off, when we were ready to leave, it was a bit chilly so we all got free cups of coffee to take, and a whole new batch of little cakes that we tasted to take home! I have a 5 tier cake chocolate cake with chocolate moose, vanilla cake with chocolate fudge filling, dark chocolate cake with coconut filling, and red velvet AND there's NO 15% fee to have my tiers different flavors.
I can say that Palermo's Bakery has been my best wedding related experience by far. And I cannot wait to taste the cake the day of my wedding!
First I had an appointment in the Bronx at Conti's Bakery in Morris Park. I had called just before getting there because I was afraid that we would be 5 mins late and I wanted them to know this, they immediatly said that I could not be late and they couldnt accomodate the 5 minutes into their schedule and that I would have to wait for another time to get my appointment. I should have seen this as a sign to steer clear of this establishment, but instead I floored it and made it a few mins before my appointment time. This consultation had a $20 fee. That was fine with me, They sit us in the back of the shop right in front two random people sitting there drinking coffee. They then place a plate infront of us of six very thin slices of cake, 2 vanilla 2 chocolate and 2 red velvet. Next to 6 fillings, and just left us there after running over the flavors. I had no idea what I was eating, no one asked my budget, they left us there by ourselves and when their attention was called we had this clueless register girl who just looked at me like I was crazy and didnt take any of my ideas into account and just showed me a book and told me to choose one on top of telling me there was a 15% fee to have my 4 tiers different flavors.... OMG I ran from there.
Fastforward to the next appointment at Palermo's Bakery in Ridgefield NJ. I was amazed with the place from the moment I drove by it. Each desk had a computer where people could see past and recent works, they had plenty of sample wedding cakes for show, the bakery and the consultations were next door to one another so they gave you their total attention without having to worry about getting anyone coffee, we met with the owner of the place, a very nice woman. Its family owned, The consultation was free, we had 16 different pieces of cake, she took my ideas and showed me similar things they have done for other people and from there I customized my own cake. SHe helped get my idead out although I was all over the place she was patient. Not for one minute did I think oh let me look elsewhere or anything, I was ready to sign from the first moment! To top it off, when we were ready to leave, it was a bit chilly so we all got free cups of coffee to take, and a whole new batch of little cakes that we tasted to take home! I have a 5 tier cake chocolate cake with chocolate moose, vanilla cake with chocolate fudge filling, dark chocolate cake with coconut filling, and red velvet AND there's NO 15% fee to have my tiers different flavors.
I can say that Palermo's Bakery has been my best wedding related experience by far. And I cannot wait to taste the cake the day of my wedding!
