CakeLove fulfills lifelong dream of former Washington attorney

Alex Gallien took a bite of a rich, chocolaty sweet treat.? She smiled. "Does Heaven count?"? She asked, searching for the words to describe the taste of the brownie. "It's exactly what a brownie should taste like."The Howard University nursing student was more than satisfied with her selection from CakeLove located at 1506 U Street NW.

The staff makes about 150 cakes and 800 cupcakes daily from scratch.? They also make brownies, cookies, éclairs, mini scones, cheesecakes, pound cakes, bedrolls and chocolate-covered strawberries.

CakeLove is the creation of Warren Brown, a lawyer turned chef, who has poured his heart and soul into every aspect of the business - hence the name CakeLove.? His career change was drastic, and he admitted that when he left his position as a federal government litigator and opened the store in 2002, he was apprehensive.?

Brown has since been featured in several publications and shows, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, and had his own show called "Sugar Rush" on the Food Network. "I definitely like what I do on a daily basis," Brown, 39, said.? "I made the right choice for myself."

CakeLove has five other locations, three in Maryland, including one at the new National Harbor in Prince George's County, and two in Virginia.?Brown has ventured into writing cookbooks - his first: "CakeLove: How to Bake Cakes from Scratch." The second: "United Cakes of America: Recipes Celebrating Every State" is due in May 2010.

Employee Jorge Prueincao has been at CakeLove since it opened.? "Customers come because of the quality of what we sell," Prueincao said.? "We also try to do everything carefully."

Each item contains all natural ingredients.? Several of the moist cakes are topped with a signature butter cream and minimal decorations - focusing the experience on the taste rather than a grandiose presentation.

Pastries range from $1.50 for mini scones and $3.25 for cupcakes to $25.00 for a two-layer, six-inch cake and $125.00 for a three layer, 12-inch cake.

Even during the recession, the bakery is receiving love. "People are still buying," Brown said.? "I am very thankful that customers are still coming and celebrating, and choosing Cake Love."

A customer favorite is the red velvet, a deep-red colored cake topped with a white cream cheese icing. Prueincao said that the strawberries and cream, a vanilla cake infused with fresh strawberries is another best seller.

"The first time I went, it was either my junior or senior year in high school," said Corryn Freeman, a Howard University junior.? "From then on, it has been a love affair."

One of the more recent flavors is the "salty caramel," a sweet and salty combination made for President Barack Obama.? There is also a line of vegan and gluten free pastries and products that are low in sugar.?

"I am psyched, the next thing we are creating online is a BYO (build-your-own) cake," Brown said.

Across from the bakery, on 15th and U Streets, is Love Café, a sister shop, where customers can sit and enjoy pastries and salads along with free wireless Internet.

"I come about once a week, on Fridays, because I don't have class," said Chad Harlan, a student at George Washington University Law School. "It's a good study environment."

CakeLove.com, posts podcasts that give detailed baking directions. "I want people to get in the kitchen," Brown said.? "When you go home for Thanksgiving break, bake a cake.? You'll blow away your family. They'll ask you what happened and you can say, 'Dude, I got CakeLove, I got CakeLove on the brain.'"?

Cakelove is open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6:00p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on Sundays.

Address: 1506 U Street Washington DC 20009
Phone: 202.588.7100