Desperately seeking help from current student, recent grad, or parent RE local source for Bday Cake!

Colleges and Universities A-Z New York University
1

I know my subject line sounds silly - but here’s my dilemma. I live out of state, but son is staying in an NYU dorm for the summer along Third Ave. I was told “Sundaes and Cones” was an ideal place to buy an ice cream cake - so I go on line, see a cool design (but with no prices or flavors) and tried for 2 days straight to contact them via phone, email, yelp, etc. NO REPLY - FINALLY I discover their “cake maker” quit or something and they no longer take custom or really “any” advance orders. So back to drawing board.

I find a “Whole Foods Market” about 6 mins walk away, but after being put on hold and then disconnected after 30 mins, I give up and call the store in MY state for basic info. They DO have sheet cakes (at least in my state) but how is my son’s roommate (who was going to pick up as a surprise) going to carry a 1/4 sheet cake for 6 minutes! (too large, heavy, fragile, etc.) – so that is not ideal. There is a Trader Joe’s closer, but they told me they don’t sell cakes!

I noted someone suggested a cake from Costco (to be mailed), but they won’t guarantee a specific delivery date - and if arrives too early - stale cake – arrives too late - misses birthday weekend. :-((

So, this is NEW YORK – THERE MUST BE “SOMEPLACE” THAT MAKES A “DECENT” (Doesn’t even need to be “gourmet”) cake or ice cream cake that I can either have delivered for REASONABLE fee (no, paying as much for delivery as the cake itself is not really reasonable in my opinion) – or ideally is within walking distance. Sorry for “yelling” - just extraordinarily frustrated. I know there are a few places that specialize in Cupcakes, but ideally I wanted to get my son a CAKE. If not a cake, is there some other special dessert that is known about in the area? How hard is it to find a cake for my son in the East Village? Apparently much harder than I thought. My head is spinning - I have searched online, Yelp, called the resource center (that’s how I got “Sundaes and Cones” :frowning: — so now I am reaching out to all you guys on CC. Please - someone? anyone? Suggestions? Surely my son can’t be the first student at NYU for whom their parents or friends ordered a cake for? HELP! Thanks.

PS Yes, I am sure there are places nationwide that could deliver, but if I’m going to pay some exorbitant price of $40 - $50 (or more?) for more for a cake, I’d really prefer it to be freshly and locally made. Would also prefer cost to be under $50.

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You are such a thoughtful Mom! I seriously never even considered doing that for my daughter. Now I feel guilt!!! :slight_smile: Let me check with her and see if she has an recommendations. She is a senior at NYU and is (obviously) familiar with the area. When is your son’s birthday?

Another idea might be to make reservations for him for a dinner at a nearby restaurant, and arrange for them to surprise him with a birthday treat.

I will let you know what I hear from my kid.

3

Hi!

If I were you, i would consider sending cupcakes. Baked by Melissa does local Manhattan delivery (same day). They have a bunch of locations–one right by Union Square.

http://www.bakedbymelissa.com/locations

You can also look into insomnia cookies, which will deliver to NYU day and night.

https://insomniacookies.com/order#deliver-to-someone-else

Good luck!

4

Did you try Magnolia Bakery? The local store (Bleecker) will deliver. Not sure if the final cost will be within your budget, though. Keep in mind that you will not be able to have your food held at the NYU dorms–and certainly not refrigerated. So your son would have to be in the dorm and available to come down to pick up a food order.