For my dad’s birthday, we decided to pick up a couple of cake slices from Bag of Cakes in Irvine. It’s a newly opened place (their original location is in Fullerton) and I was excited when we confirmed with them that they don’t use peanuts. Heads up, they do have tree nuts on their menu. We went with blueberry and triple chocolate. Honestly, the blueberry wasn’t my first choice but it ended up stealing the show. It was light, fruity, and just the right amount of sweetness, it might be my new go-to. The triple chocolate was rich and decadent, so if you’re a chocolate lover, that one’s a safe bet. This place has been popping up all over Instagram lately, and I can see why. There’s usually a line out the door (expect about a 20-minute wait), but the way they handle orders makes things move pretty smoothly. You place your order near the front, and by the time you reach the cashier, your pastries are ready. Drinks get ordered at the cashier too, then you just wait for your name to be called. Regulars rave about the matcha desserts here, especially the cruffin, roll cake, and mousse cake and my mom got the cruffin. The matcha flavor is strong and apparently even holds up when you reheat pastries the next day. The one piece of advice? Come earlier in the day. They do sell out, and part of the fun is seeing the full variety lined up in the cases.

All in all, I’m glad we tried it for a birthday treat. Between the blueberry slice and the buzz around their matcha bakes, I have a feeling this won’t be our last visit.

Disclaimer: My suggestions are meant to serve as a starting point for researching safe places to eat. Menus and ingredients may change, so it's crucial for every reader to do their own research. Many of these places (if not all) have treenuts, dairy, gluten and other major allergens. Always call ahead, talk to the manager, verify, and double-check to ensure a safe dining experience.