Castle Bakery

1 09 2008
  • 713 S. Main St.
  • Frankenmuth, MI 48734
  • (989) 652-9941 EXT. 3282
  • Website
  • Menu
The entrance to Castle Shops in downtown Frankenmuth

The entrance to Castle Shops in downtown Frankenmuth

After spending an hour or so at Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, we headed downtown to check out the businesses district of Frankenmuth.  What we found was a shock.  Tourists packed the streets of a vibrant, bustling downtown anchored by the Bavarian Inn and Zehnder’s.  We drove around for a while looking for a place to park.  We finally found one in a parking lot on the other side of the covered bridge.  It was a hot day and no one had had anything to drink since lunch at the Blackforest Brew Haus & Grill (review HERE). One of the first places we ran into was the Castle Shops.  We noticed a bakery and figured they’d have bottled water or soda or something to drink. 

The Castle Bakery is the first thing you come to when you walk down the steps to the Castle Shops.  The whole shopping area is located below the Bavarian Inn Restaurant.  The feel of the whole area is that of an old castle.  The buiding is all stone from floor to ceiling.  The bakery takes up a huge portion of the area when you first walk in.  There is a case displaying their goodies that runs from the door all the way to the other side of the shop.  J found the bottled water and grabbed one of those then went to pay.  On the way, she noticed a chocolate chip cookie with mini pretzels baked into it.  It looked way too good to pass up, so she didn’t.  It didn’t look appetizing to me, but she loved it.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Categories : Bakery, Downtown, Frankenmuth, Michigan, Reviews

Astoria Pastry Shop

27 07 2008
  • 541 Monroe St.
  • Detroit, MI 48226
  • (313) 963-9603
  • Website
  • Menu
The Astoria Pastry Shop in Detroits Greektown Neighborhood

The Astoria Pastry Shop in Detroit's Greektown Neighborhood

The Astoria Pastry Shop was another recommendation from fellow blogger Genie28.  Being new to the area, we had no idea that Greektown was pretty much within walking distance from Comerica Park which was our final destination of the night.  We drove down Monroe Street looking for the shop.  After driving around the cramped streets for a few minutes, we realized how close we were to CoPa and ended up pulling into a lot and just parking for the night.  We headed back to Monroe Street to find the Astoria Pastry Company and couldn’t believe what we found.

The Astoria Pastry Company is located across the street from the Greektown Casion along a strip of road that is home to a lot of restaurants.  There was a steady line of people going in an out so we figured it must be one of those “must hit” places.  When you walk through the door, you’re immediately assaulted by a huge case of homemade pastry’s, cookies, and ice cream.  It was very overwhelming.  We didn’t know where to start.  Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Bakery, Detroit, Restaurant, Reviews

Insomnia Cookies

26 04 2008
  • 603 E. Grand River Ave.Insomnia Cookies
  • East Lansing, MI 48223
  • 877-63-Cookie
  • Website
  • Menu

I first heard of Insomnia after watching Unwrapped on the Food Network.  Imagine our surprse when we accidently found one near the campus Michigan State University.  We didn’t stop in the first time we saw it, but after a meal one Saturday afternoon at Dublin Square we decided to hit Insomnia up for dessert.

The shop is located right on Grand River which is East Lansing’s main business district just across the street from MSU.  The shop is pretty small.  There are a couple tables against the windows and there’s a counter (made out of Boos Blocks) on the other side.  Behind a small sheet of glass, they have samples of their cookies and brownies.  In probably the rudest, worst example of customer service, we were greeted by a college girl who probably didn’t want to be there talking on her cell phone.  She couldn’t even put the phone down long enough to take our order.  The whole time my girlfriend was ordering, she kept the phone plastered to her ear.

Insomnia CookiesWe got the Sugar Rush deal.  Six cookies and six brownies for $13.  Our ordered included three chocolate chunk cookies, one sugar cookie, and two peanut butter chunk cookies.  We got pretty much one of each of their brownie choices.

After a few minutes in the kitchen, the server brought out our box of the most delicious cookies and brownies we’ve ever had.  We took the box home because there is no way we needed that much sugar right after dinner, but it was so, so hard to put the box away once we got home. 

I grabbed a chocolate chunk cookie right away.  Even after the drive home, it was so gooey and soft.  It was delicious.  My girlfriend grabbed the marshmallow topped brownie and said the same thing.  There was a nice crunchy crust and the inside was so moist and chewey.

Other than the rude, obnoxious server, Insomnia was amazing.  Just sitting here right now I’m having a hard time not getting up and grabbing another cookie.  I don’t think they are going to last very long.  Insomnia Cookie shops can be found exclusively on college campuses.  There are 13 locations nationwide and they all stay up late to feed a late night craving. 


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Categories : Bakery, Chains, East Lansing, Michigan, Reviews