FOOD FOR THOUGHT Columnist Todd White Visits
WOOPS! BAKESHOP
Woops is defined as an interjection to express surprise, and that certainly describes the early beginnings of this macaron bake shop.
In 2012, WOOPS! started on a whim as a pop-up holiday shop in Bryant Park in New York City by four friends. They were quickly shocked at the response. People were lined out the door, and they could barely keep up. Five years later they have grown and opened pop-up shops and bake shops around the country, but all the macarons are all made in their bakery in the Bronx.
WOOPS! just opened in Georgetown, Texas, and is located in the Summit area on Rivery Blvd by the Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel & Conference Center. This location is locally owned and operated by Candice Lui. She is a UT graduate and entrepreneurship runs through her blood. She has a love of baking, people, and the hospitality industry which makes her well suited for this shop and its location. When she was looking to open WOOPS!, her father was a big encouragement and told her, “This is your time!”
So on to the star of the WOOPS! Bakeshop - the macaron. I've never really been a macaron
fan, but these have changed my mind. Macarons are made from ground almonds, sugar, egg whites, flavorings, food coloring, and a variety of fillings.
The macarons here come in a variety of flavors, and some of my favorites are honey-lavender, strawberry milkshake, cookies and cream, and vanilla. The macarons are so colorful lined up and especially look pretty in a gift box. They can even make a macaron tree which looks almost too amazing to eat.
In addition to macarons, I am a big fan of their lattes and the liege waffles. What are liege waffles? They are Belgium waffles with pearl sugar in them. The pearls get soft when heated. When you bite into one, the sugar releases and have a nice sweet taste without having to add syrup. Add a little butter, grab a cup of coffee or latte, and you are ready to conquer the morning.
A few other notables...they have a variety of cold sandwiches for lunch, huge cookies, and gelato from Dolce Neve in Austin. All around this is a great spot for breakfast, snacks, light lunch, macarons, and a unique gift option for someone with a sweet tooth.