Cakewalk Across America: What Danny Ate on Tour
Sunday, March 2, 2008 
What is it about traveling that always makes you so hungry? There's just something about the open road that makes us long for sweet treats, and lots of them. And this was certainly true of our own Danny recent cross-country tour with his band, Speaker Speaker. Across the nation, all three band members found comfort, delight and adventure with sweet treats along the way; here are some of the sweet highlights of their rock and roll adventure:
Cakespy Note: Just look at how cute these guys are (above, clockwise from the left, Jasen Samford, drums; Colin McBride, lead vocals/guitar; Danny Oleson, bass guitar). Why not celebrate that cuteness by buying their new album online at bbrecordings.com or at a record store near you?
The first bit of sweetness on the road is found at Java Joe's Coffeehouse in Des Moines, Iowa. More coffee shop than bakery, their pastries are not made in-house, but rather come from a wholesaler; however, this didn't detract from the deliciousness of the molten chocolate baby bundt cake and chocolate indulgence, both of which were suggested by an employee. The molten baby takes the cake, with a rich, velvety texture that is felt not only in the mouth but right down to the soul; we'd take a bite of this baby anytime. Java Joe's Coffeehouse, 214 4th Street, Des Moines, IA; 515-288-JAVA (5282); online at javajoescoffeehouse.com.
Moving on to the next town and the next show, the boys' next stop is at the large and inviting Lane's Bakery in Madison, WI,a bit of an establishment in the area, where they've been serving up a dazzling array of Kringle, gorgeous cakes, danish, bread and gift items since the 1950's. One of the items that intrigues us most on their menu though? The sweet Cherry-cheese "pizza", an appetizing tart-interpretation of the classic flavor pairing more commonly seen in cheese danish. Lane's Bakery and Gift Shop, Inc., 448 South Park Street Madison, Wisconsin; online at lanesbakeryandgifts.com.
An unexpected bit of sweetness is found when the boys stumble upon Sweet On Chocolate in Syracuse, NY, a small confectionery shop with a mouthwatering array of handmade truffles. Upon an employee's suggestion Danny gets the pumpkin truffle; he is rewarded with a smooth, rich, and velvety treat with a wonderful tooth-feel and the perfect sensation of soft chocolate shell releasing the flavors within. Sigh. Sweet On Chocolate, 208 Walton Street, Syracuse, NY; online at sweetonchocolate.com (splash page only). To inquire about having chocolates shipped (they will do it, depending on the time of year) call (315) 478-0811.
Moving on southward, the highlight of their visit to Austin, TX (you know, other than the show they play) is most definitely a visit to Mr. Natural, a veggie-friendly Mexican eatery with an amazing selection of baked goods including sweet empanadas, breads, cakes and pies; as a bonus there are plenty of vegan options (brownies and tofu pies), and they are able to make gluten-free pastries as well. Between them, our Gumshoes try the strawberry bar, a molasses bar, and a ginger cookie shaped like a pig; they are still raving about the rich and wonderful flavors. Yes, we heart Mr. Natural. Mr. Natural has two Austin, TX locations; visit mrnatural-austin.com for more information.
International Delights Cafe (no relation to International Coffees) was a welcome sight as the weary travelers reached Las Cruces, NM. While several of the pastries were from local wholesalers, the standout was the made-in-house baklava, which was rich, studded with pistachio, and completely delicious. International Delights Cafe, 1245 El Paseo Rd.
Las Cruces, NM, (505) 647-5956 ; online at internationaldelightscafe.com.
The Virginia Bakery in Berkeley, CA marks the last stop en route back to Seattle, and what a sweet stop it is: the brown sugar walnut danish is a study in indulgence, being so rich that even the lead-bellied Danny is almost unable to finish it. Almost being the key word. Virginia Bakery, 1690 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA, (510) 848-6711; online at virginiabakery.com.
The weary travelers soldiered on up the coast back, happy to be back in Seattle; for indeed, as sweet as the tour was, it was sweeter yet to be home again.
Cakewalk
Reader Comments (29)
Now I want to go on a road trip!
Those treats look like some mighty fine roadie food! I'll go give a listen to your boys!
The cupcakes in that picture were so good... they were made by our friend Jenny White in Baltimore, MD.
Aren't Kringles the best!!!
Cute guys too.....my son plays guitar and has really curly medium length freaked out hair. His great grandmother keeps telling him he HAS to cut his hair (he is going to school to be a pharmacist)LOL....he will be the FIRST LEGAL pharmacist in the family....you gotta start somewhere. We will give your guys a listen.
Sometimes I wish I were a cupcake..............
Those cupcakes look fantastic and my wish would be to visit all those wonderful baker shops! Great post and pics!
Rosie x
Very much like the sound of their tunes.....exactly the kind of stuff I listen too. They kind of remind me a bit of the Gin Blossoms, remember them??
The guys are too cute not to buy the album either way! But I'm off to go check it out now, thanks for the new candy!
haha, the picture of all the guys is priceless :0)
okay, wow, talk about a DELICIOUS road trip!! my on-the-road favorites are just what I bake/pack for the ride, for myself and my family members :0)
Jack and I are loving the Punk/Powerpop sound Speaker Speaker has going on!
That sounds like a great road trip -- I hope the music part was as good as the bakery treats!
Catherine: Hope you like them! It was quite a trip!
Mr. Cakespy: Get off the internet and go buy me a present.
Obsessive foodie: We were just talking about how rare the mighty Kringle is in Seattle! Your son sounds super cute! Boys with long hair are popular with the girls!
And yes, I think the Gin Blossoms comparison is a good one! I used to love that band!
Rosie: Someday I hope you will too! Thanks!
Paris Apartment: Yep, how could you go wrong with cute Seattle rockers?
Veggiegirl: AND, those cupcakes in the pic are VEGAN to boot!
Ann: Yeah, they're pretty freakin' cute aren't they?
Lydia: I think it was! I do think it was. ;-)
How lovely to document this aspect of their tour!
I just love reading your blog. Fun stuff, and always... always interesting!
Yum! And how cute. We still have boxes of sweets from our last road trip...months ago! I love sweets on the road. :)
Hey there, can't seem to find your email address. What is it please? :D
Amelia
Your posts are so much fun! I love this blog! And I absolutely love the pig shaped cookie... My favorite on the road food? Ice cream and lots of it!
Oh... and I checked out Speaker, Speakers video for Statues/Shadows and that was good!!!
LOL - love the pic of the band, and that gingerbread pig is really doing it for me.
Lucky MR. Cakes spy.
Wish i could eat all of them. Or better all the tree of them looks so HANDSOME I would join them in their tour.
Just KIDDING :-)))
Yes they are darling... and so are the boys!
What cute boys!
Ok with all that travelling, Mr. Cakespy I too command you to go buy a very nice present for our Cakespy!
You guys make me want to get in my car and jet!! Bad, bad, bad...it's only monday!
cute guys ... i want a road trip too :p .. i hope they are reading all your comments !
lucky guys!
This post is about everything I love: cake, music and travel!
I had a little party at my place in Paris a couple of days ago, with a homemade playlist and homemade goodies; I thought you may be interested in the 100% foolproof and 100% delicious recipes I posted on my blog...
http://mary-laure.blogspot.com/2008/03/happy-birthdays.html
Freshly Found: Thanks! It was...well, the sweetest part!
Recipegirl: Thanks, glad you liked it!
Sarah: Isn't that the best part of travel? All the cool new stuff you try?
Curiousfoodie: my email (jessie) is jessieoleson@gmail.com
Aran: Oh, LOVE ice cream on the road! I am so glad you like the band. They are incredibly talented!
Cakelaw: It obviously did it for Mr. Cakespy too. When he read your comment he said "ohhh, that gingerbread pig" and maybe a small rivulet of drool popped out of his mouth.
Happy Cook: Ha! Wouldn't that be fun, you could cook for them on tour!
EB: Yeah, they are pretty much the cutest!
Ello: Whew! ultimately he did--a porcelain unicorn rearing. I know, we're sick.
Tartelette: no time like the present!
Kate: Are you kidding? They're reading them all, even if they pretend they're too cool for it ;-)
Frantic Foodie: I'll say!
Mary-Laure: ohhh what a soiree! Glad you liked the tour!