Friday, August 27, 2010

Sneak Peek: Catering Menu

Upon request, we have decided to publish a sneak peak of some of our items available for catering RIGHT NOW. (Please give at least 4 days in advance for orders) Stay tuned because more items are going to be added to the list next week! For orders, you can email me directly at emlene@gmail.com.

Byte-sized setups + Bite-sized samplers

"While EM is busy making fruit tart samplers, taking other Bittersweet fruit tart orders, while making Frosty run around in the house fetching her cream cheese & butter....R has decided to come out from her little cubicle hole, to spill the dish of the progress.."

Thank God, it's Friday, everyone! It has been a hectic week for Bittersweet. From EM's previous post, we have made much progress in our setups. Some nods of agreement with furniture design (long but friendly battle which we all won..), which we are dying to divulge but spoilers are a no-no as we would wish to keep you in suspense! Amongst other things, legal approvals are on track as well as branding. We will be touching base on r.e.c.r.u.i.t.m.e.n.t next.

In the light of recruiting helpers for Bittersweet, we are extremely nervous that we would be doing these sessions tomorrow. Some CVs have flown over to our inboxes - some sent smiles to our faces, some are just a flatly...flat. Being both employer and employee are equally hard, it is like going to a Graduation Ball, you have to be impressed and have the dress to impress. My past interview experience only told me the following:
  • Make sure your interviewers are awake despite the endless coffee you poured him/her

I: *yawns* Tell me about yourself
R: (rambled about her past reigns and successes)
I: zzzz..mbywblelellele...zzz (snores and wakes up in a jolt) Sorry, what was your name again?

  • Never start an argument eventhough topic is very sensitive (I remembered we argued in the cold wintry office in the Great Winchester Street, I came out wondering what actually happened in there..)
  • Decline anything alcoholic as tempting as they may look (One of my fellow competitors became as red as lobster because she could not refuse a glass of wine during luncheon. Needless to say, she did not make it..well at least that was what I thought)

I am sure these are just my overdramatic experience, nevertheless, let's hope our recruitment process is a successful one. We are happy to take on any individuals who would like to assist in making Bittersweet Corner in this amazing journey

Cherrio ~

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Cafe Inspirations

Traveling (as I'm sure to many), has always been a great hobby of mine. Instead of looking forward to the shopping in different cities however, I look forward to finding a good cafe. Particularly those who have the perfect cup of latte, and to die for desserts. Here's the top 5 list in which inspired in the making of Bittersweet Corner.

1. Lady M, New York
http://www.ladymconfections.com/

The inspiration for our Mille Crepe Cake, this quaint little cake boutique in the Upper East Side is everything New York. Simple, understated, but still so chic. It wasn't so much about the environment, but more of its cakes. It's crepe cake is TO DIE FOR. I hope our store's Mille Crepe Cake is as good:)

Mille Crepe Cake (YUM!)



2. Sketch, London
www.sketch.uk.com
I've never actually been here before. But from all the fuss Reva (one of the partners of Bittersweet) has been making about, this just HAD to be on the list. I can't say much about the food there but from the description Reva gives, and the pictures online, the decor is amazing! For some time, we were confused to whether we should go all modern, or all classic. Until we found the perfect solution. Why not do both?! Classic with a modern twist. Everything we do, including our products, are classic items with a modern twist (think peanut butter and jelly macarons). So we hope Bittersweet Corner will successfully create that environment.

3. TWG, Singapore
http://www.twgtea.com/
The place represents those of high-end tea houses in England. Even the servers are dressed as "butlers". A tad bit too posh for me but I do love their macarons and need I say, their tea (which we will be serving in our place). It's hard to get macarons perfect, but I absolutely love their flavors. Because it is tea-infused, the fragrance and flavors of it is perfect.

Tea-infused macarons

4. Alcove, Los Angeles
www.alcovecafe.com
I absolutely love the environment that Alcove has created. Although not possible for us to replicate in our location, we are attempting to somehow bring some outdoor essence inside our store (think wood and green bushes (although it'll be fake, IT WONT BE TACKY I promise!)). Oh! And I love how they put cute writings on their cappuccinos and lattes.

Cappuccino and a smile
5. Finale, Boston
www.finaledesserts.com
This cafe is probably the one I feel most at home at. Their desserts are the perfect treat on a wintery night. Creme Brulee and their Chocolate Melt are my all time favorites. Although We won't be offering Chocolate Melt at our place, I'm proud to announce that our Creme Brulee does taste as good! Their abundant selection of pastries are also an inspiration for our catering menu.

Selection of pretty tartlets

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Welcome Bittersweet Corner


Who is Bittersweet? Originally founded in Boston, MA 2 years ago by a dear friend and myself, we started as a word of mouth cake and pastries catering and eventually got popular among the Indonesian community there.

When I went home to Jakarta, Bittersweet just had to come along:) So now, Bittersweet Corner (Cakes & Pastries) is opening right here! Follow us as we settle to occupy our home in Plaza Indonesia Extension (Perennials) in a few months!

Sneak peak:
Bittersweet Corner