Predictably, the new Magnolia Bakery on Columbus and 69^th was a madhouse late this afternoon.

Only one problem: There were no cupcakes. That’s like Katz’s running out of pastrami.

According to Cupcakes Take The Cake, the official opening is Monday. Still, that’s no excuse. The place certainly looked open.

“We’re icing cupcakes like crazy,” said the harried counter person. A steady stream of sugar-crazed folks squeezed through Magnolia’s front door to join about two dozen cupcake seekers already snaking through the long narrow bakery. The air was filled with that familiar butter-sugar aroma. But instead of bursting with goodies, the gleaming display cases were eerily empty. There was carrot cake and banana pudding and few other items. Basically, this branch of Magnolia didn’t look like it was ready to receive customers.

With the Buttercup Bake Shop just around the corner, presumably many of the frustrated cupcake fanciers hightailed it for 72^nd Street.

The fact that Magnolia is a cupcake cliché was underscored by the décor. Lace curtains gave it that French peasant look. It seemed a little out of place on striving-to-be-chic Columbus.

We can only hope that when the place does get its act together, its not overrun by Sex and the City-crazed tourists.

If anyone has actually tried the cupcakes, could you please report in!

Magnolia Bakery
200 Columbus Ave.
New York, NY
212 724 8101

401 Bleecker St.
New York, NY
212 462 2572

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