Well, of course I mean Arkansas! Sorry, North Carolinians...but this is an Arkansas girl here talking!
This past weekend, since I have recently become a Hunting Widow (anybody empathize?)--being pheasant season and all--I decided to hop in the car and meet my sister in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Fayetteville, as in my Stomping Grounds while I was at the good ole' University of Arkansas (Pig Sooie!).
My parents were also heading there for the Arkansas-Ole Miss game. Since our family likes to plan all events around "Where are we gonna eat?", we decided all to meet up Friday lunch at one of my sister's favorite places--and my new HAPPY PLACE--Rick's Bakery, right on College Street.
Now, if you are from Fayetteville, or have spent any time there, you already know about Rick's Bakery. That Rick--he sure knows how to make some killer buttercream frosting. God bless him. Truthfully, I have no idea if there is a Rick...but somebody there SURE KNOWS sugar.
But, maybe you haven't heard about LUNCH at Rick's... Oh me, oh my! If I lived in Fayetteville, I would have to eat at Rick's at least once a week! Rick's has a wonderful lunch menu--with all my favorite kinds of lunch items: soups, sandwiches, salads...and a FREE sample of the dessert of the day! Yes mam, you heard me right--FREE DESSERT! Last Friday's dessert was chocolate silk pie. Here--I'll just show you:
This was no piddley sample of pie, either. It was plenty enough! Especially since I planned to have at least a cookie, too! Don't judge--it's just what you do at Rick's.
Umm, lunch! Roasted tomato soup, and a half chicken salad croissant. Oh, how I love half soup/half sandwich deals! Plus, don't forget the free pie!! Never mind the half-eaten pie at the top left...that was just a little appetizer.
But, look at me getting all ahead of myself...One of the coolest parts about eating lunch at Rick's (besides all the dessert!) is the Cake Decorating Room. You can eat lunch, overlooking the crazy-busy cake decorating going on behind the large glass windows!
How cute is this room? And do you see the countertop seats where the kids are eating? Front row seats to watch the busy cake decorators practice their art!
As you can see, the kids were mesmerized by all the icing action! Smart kids.
Oh, and Rick's is filled to the brim with darling gifts! I could have spent lots more time (and money) browsing for clever gifts. Instead, I spent my money on food and dessert!
This is only one small section of the dessert cases. And I gotta tell ya--I'm feeling some deep regret that I didn't try a cupcake. Do you see them on the 2nd to top row? (click on the picture to see a bigger view) They were big, and beautiful. As our family friend Alene used to say, "Hon-Neee, I'm tell-Lin YOU!" Next time, cupcakes are definitely in my plans.
Decisions, decisions... Check out the adorable mini cakes on the top row! They are so cute, I just wanted to squeeze their little cheeks. (Do cakes have cheeks?)
But, last Friday, Razorback cookies were our treat of choice! (I'm sorry, Ole Miss...) How did we rate the cookies? Let me show you...
My nephew says, "THUMBS UP!"
And...so does my mom!!!
I absolutely cannot have a post on Rick's Bakery without a little shout-out to my FAVORITE SUPPLIER of Rick's cakes and cookies to me every single summer. Hey, Amba!!! Remember this post waaaay back in March? Yep, Amba came to visit and brought a Rick's cake. We dug into it right in the CAR! And...ummm...when ya coming to visit again, Amba??? *grin*
