Sweet surprise

Long live cupcakes: Wait, aren’t cupcakes dead?

Apparently not quite yet. Icing on the Cupcake opened a new Midtown outpost at (1730 J Street) last week, taking over a chunk from the former Gifted Gardener space.

It’s been a long road for the Rocklin-based company. It launched in 2007 and once had five locations in the area before filing for bankruptcy in 2013. Under new ownership, it’s managed to reopen its Rocklin bakery, and recently opened another location in Folsom (2379 Iron Point Road).

The Midtown edition feels a little sterile—plain pink walls, checkerboard floor, no seating—and doesn’t exactly scream, “Come buy all these tantalizing sweets!” but there are tantalizing sweets all the same. Naturally, Icing on the Cupcake primarily sells cupcakes. They’re moist, loaded with buttercream and come in more than 10 flavors every day ($2.95-$3.35). Also available: minicupcakes known as “babybites” ($1), minipies ($3.45), cookie sandwiches ($2.75) and brownies and blondies ($3).

Meanwhile, another bakery known for cupcakes closed in Pavilions: SusieCakes. SusieCakes’ layered cakes, whoopie pies and cheesecakes were wonderful, if a little pricey. If you were a fan, there are a few locations still open in the Bay Area.

On the corner: If you’ve spent much time on the East Coast, you are very familiar with the bodega. For some reason, we don’t use the term over here for our convenient corner shops that stock us with booze, light grocery items and bad coffee.

Prepare to meet an updated, hipper version at rotating pop-up shop Display: California (3433 Broadway). “The Bodega” will open on January 29, offering housewares, prepackaged food, flowers, gifts, a kombucha bar and loads of other local, artisan-made pantry goods. More at www.displaycalifornia.com.

Yep, more poke: Wrap N’ Roll Sushi Burrito (1801 L Street) is slated to reopen on January 30 as Make Fish Poke & Sushi Burrito. Like its Elk Grove location, the Midtown spot will feature a redesigned aesthetic and build-your-own menu style. You can still get sushi burritos—or poke, nachos or salad—but you select among given proteins, sauces and unlimited toppings.