Cindy Klassen is the Harlan Ellison of Cakes. And I'm sorry that many of you don't understand that…read morecomparison. Along with other polarizing figures like Elia Kazan, Frank Miller, and if I'm allowed to reach into the depths of my literary upbringing, Ernest Hemingway, one cannot deny the quality of the work despite the nature of the personality behind it. Of all those colorful figures, I elected and opened with Ellison because I consider him the greatest writer of the past hundred years. He's my kind of talent, and I generally ignore denigrations of his character. Cindy is another such individual.
Also, I read that Orville Redenbacher was jackass, so that's a thing I learned.
I'll intercept accusations of bias with admitting to the surprise of even the individual in question that Cindy and I are not friends. We are acquaintances that pass by frequently more because of a few degrees of separation than a desire to converse. She is a colorful personality, and as such I can totally understand her approach being abrasive to some people. My girlfriend even observed once that Cindy is one of the few people that can actually get me to stop talking. I speak more of the entrepreneur than the business at this point because like so many small operations, Cindy IS Bites of Bliss. She is as much the face of the operation as Colonel Sanders. She is also an amazing chef. My desire--though obviously not my practice--to avoid sugar does preclude regular visits to Bites of Bliss, as they sell nothing else than baked desserts. Not soups or sandwiches for the lunch crowd, relegating that to nearby stops like Coffee Garden and Sassafras Savories, both worthy of support. And yet, BOB...
...Bob.... really? I can call it...Bob? Bob it is...
Anyways, Bob has a table where one can sit and sample the confectionary. My original requirements for review required seating; since I've abandoned even that condition, all bets are off. Besides, I already enjoyed a good lunch an hour previously this day. After the substantial preamble, I ordered a collection of cake bites and cupcakes. Cheap, these were not. Firstly, the bites, which are not Timbits (by the way, "Timbits", is in Microsoft's Office dictionary, just saying). But comparing Bob's softy, creamy nuggets (that came out wrong) that are indistinguishable from ambrosia to mass produced balls of sugar, palm oil and whey powder is like comparing Bowie to Bieber. I tried making them last the car ride home, but that proved impossible, leaving only the cupcakes for the next few days--three for the girlfriend, and three for me...or rather as it ended up being, two for my girlfriend and four for me. Sorry. Even days later, the cream hadn't hardened and the cake hadn't dried. Despite a need to lose thirty pounds in the next three months, I find it irresistible to return.
As for the custom cakes, my only experience thus far has been an impressive "Vegas-themed" multi-tiered tower that loomed like Mordor over the whole of Middle Earth across a salivating reception. I know I won't be going to Dairy Queen for my next birthday, that's for sure.
Beyond that, I find the overall presentation of Bob simple but effective. Personally, I'd support them if they decided to shift into a more café-like environment. They don't have to carry soup, maybe other pastries to go along with the coffee already being offered. I know the talent for cooking is there. You simply can't be that good at cake-craft without proficiency in other fields. This isn't Dungeons & Dragons where a character can forge a sword yet not a nail. Bob sets the standard from which all others are compared. I can understand electing Wal-Mart when cost and convenience is mandatory, but the first and ultimate greatest sacrifice will always be quality.
Yes. I like Bob. Many people like Bob. Bob is good. Try Bob.
Food: 5/5
Service: 4/5
Presentation (Food): 5/5
Value: 4/5
Recommendation: 4.5/5