Cupcakes – they’re cute, sweet and portable. And now they’re just around the corner.
Owner Milena “Melany” Petrosian opened the first Polkatots in Pasadena on Lake Street in 2008. And since good news travels fast, or relatively fast given the current economy, she has now opened a second cupcake shop in Montrose.
A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in Pasadena, 24-year-old Melany initially wanted to own a restaurant.
“But I figured that would be biting off more than I could chew. So I decided to focus on cupcakes, because they were becoming a big hit at that time, and I knew I could do something really creative,” Petrosian said.
Polkatots offers three cupcake options – the Mini, which can disappear in two quick bites; the Biggie, a little bigger than your standard cupcake; and their signature Cupcake Cake.
“It’s the size of a regular cake, but made up of individual cupcakes, so you don’t even need plates or knives.” And they can be made to order. Melany's greatest challenge was the Obama Cake. “Oh my gosh, it looked just like him. We made it in the colors of the flag to celebrate his election.”
Available in 16 different flavors, Polkatot’s most popular cupcake is the Dulce de Leche, but Melany’s personal favorite is the Lucky Charm Pistachio. And if you head out to Polkatots within the next couple of weeks, you can sink your teeth into one of the 'June Flavors of the Month' -- Sour Cherry Chocolate or Black Cherry Almond.
When asked for a cupcake calorie count, Melany answered, “Don’t ask, don’t tell.”
If her cupcakes make other people happy, they make Melany very happy indeed.
“Oh my gosh, I love them. I always have a cupcake for breakfast and one at lunch, and every single day I sample our buttercream icing. I just love, love, love what I do.”
Which is a good thing, because between the two locations, Polkatots bakes 2,000 to 3,000 cupcakes daily.
Melany’s friends have a nickname for her. It is –Surprise!– Cupcake.
The Montrose Polkatots is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can also pre-order via email at fun@polkatotscupcakes.com or by calling 818-248-8200. Should you visit and feel overwhelmed by an abundance of riches, take the owner’s advice -- and mine -- it’s pistachio, all the way.
Would love it if they stayed open after the dinner rush like FroYo does...bet they would get a good amount of business by staying open so people can stop by and pick up a little dessert. Till then....will just end up either at FroYo or Paradis.