love is in the air

On a recent trip to my favorite salon, to see my favorite aesthetician (Jen at Juut Downtown MPLS-the woman can wax!), I was going through my normal routine; browse, wax, browse, sample, check out--when the service coordinator behind the counter offered me a cupcake.  Yep, you read that right, she offered me a cupcake.  Being that it was shortly after the New Year and resolutions were still fresh in my mind, I grimaced, wanting the sweet treat, but knowing that I probably shouldn't indulge...but I did anyway.  Boy, was I happy that I did!

The cupcake was from Cocoa and Fig, a local confectionary which, up until that point, had conducted most of their business online and at the Farmer's Market in Downtown Minneapolis; but, as of this week, will now occupy a small space next to Juut Salon in Gaviidae Common (how convenient for me!)

I recently checked out the Cocoa and Fig website and was thrilled to discover that they also offer a wide variety of catering options, with a wide variety of display designs; I am instantly in love.
Owners Laurie Pyle and Joe Lin are partnering with St. Louis Park-based Bull Run Roasting Co. for drip coffees at their new storefront (no espresso, since nearby Caribou Coffee has a mallwide non-compete) and plan to serve quiche and breakfast pastries, including muffins, scones and their fabulous cream cheese-Nutella brioche in addition to some fabulously sweet treats and cakes.  Coffee and dessert-look out for me.

My "discovery" of Cocoa and Fig came at an ever-so-opportune time.  With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I decided to check out their V-Day specials, and whoa! was I delighted.  I have always been more of a fan of candy and chocolate than flowers anyway-after all, what is it they say? "flowers say 'I'm sorry' and chocolate says 'I love you'"  No matter what you plan to get your valentine this year, make sure to check out Cocoa and Fig for special occasions, events, as a gift or just because; it's definitely worth the

trip.

"feast" your eyes on these:

Black Velvet with Cream Cheese Icing (and red heart)

Lemon Coconut (with pink coconut!)