One couple’s quest to bake the ideal cupcake has created Vanilla Bean Gourmet Cupcakery in Midtown, where gourmet cupcake enthusiasts and first-timers alike will find delicious and uniquely crafted treats. Vanilla Bean, which also houses a self-serve frozen yogurt bar, boasts more than 20 cupcake flavors with names such as Death By Chocolate, Blueberry Pancake and Raspberry Beret. Offerings in the shop change daily, with anywhere from eight to 12 varieties available in the cupcake case. They also do special orders, events and weddings. Both Patricia and Carlos Mares, who own and operate the shop at S and 18th streets which previously was home to Cultivé Frozen Yogurt, claim to have never

A popular frozen yogurt shop in Westfield Downtown Plaza is expanding to Midtown, occupying a space that formerly housed Jamba Juice. “We’re really excited to be expanding,” said Yummy Yogurt Cafe owner Jason Yee. “Most businesses are cutting back or locking their doors.” Yee, a Sacramento native who comes from a long line of Sacramentans, said the 1901 J St. location will be ideal for his business, as he wanted to expand locally. He opened the first Yummy Yogurt Cafe in July, 2009. “We’re going to be right there in the mix,” he said. “The timing is right, and we’re moving forward.” Despite there being other frozen yogurt shops in Sacramento, Yee said he is confident that his yogurt wi

Pinkberry held its grand opening Thursday in Sacramento. The pink-carpet event was held in front of the yogurt store in the Howe ‘Bout Arden shopping center. Guests were treated like A-listers, with an open bar, photo booth, DJ, cups of yogurt and a table of toppings. The party had a pink and bubbly theme, from the lights to the drinks to the students from the Paul Mitchell cosmetology school applying sparkly eye makeup. Midtown resident Jacqueline Wong-Hernandez, who was trying Pinkberry for the first time, said she was impressed by the event. “I live in Midtown and there are a couple yogurt places in between there and here, but this definitely is a great event promoting a tasty product

        Valentine's Day can be challenging for everyone out there, whether you've got a special someone to impress or not. The choices are limitless, and it can be hard to set something up that everyone will enjoy. This year, why not please the whole crowd with a just-before-Valentine's Day show starring local indie pop songstress Autumn Sky and up-and-comer Tre Burt?     Miss Sky, who recently won the Sac Show award for best Acoustic Show, holds a Valentine's Day show each year. 2009's show at Luna's Cafe drew a huge crowd, where patrons and audience members alike sat on floors and laps to fit in the tiny room. This year will prove to be no less of a good time, especially considering t

The cozy, cottage-like storefront that used to be Benny J’s in Downtown Westfield Plaza is a meeting place for yogurt and coffee lovers once again this summer. Owner Jason Yee opened the cozy nook’s doors to the public Thursday as Yummy Yogurt, a self-serve frozen yogurt shop and café. With its easy-to-spot sprinkles sign and bright pink walls in view from the storefront's window, Yummy Yogurt is currently the only yogurt shop in Downtown Plaza. Yummy Yogurt is sold in cups by the ounce, Yee said. Yogurt junkies can choose from and mix mango, strawberry, chocolate, cheesecake, vanilla and tart-flavored nonfat yogurt, and throw in toppings like almonds, mochi, almond roca, marshmallows, r