Vanilla Bean

Thank you Carlos for the beautiful mini cupcakes that I ordered for my son’s first birthday the order was correct and cupcakes were beautiful.

Not surprised that this place closed, but it’s a bit sad that the yogurt options in this part of town are now pretty limited.
Food: Vanilla Bean was a cupcake and self-​serve yogurt store a la Yogurtland. I popped in after visiting Ramen House Ryujin next door and tried a vanilla and plain tart yogurt and added some blackberries and grounded oreos (
). Although the flavors were pretty limited and the yogurt came out sort of icy, it still satisfied. I didn’t try any of the cupcakes, mostly because they looked like they had been sitting outside too long and were pretty expensive.
Atmosphere: It had the general impression of being clean and bright inside, but probably could have used more janitorial services.
Service: Weigh and pay. Not much to report here.
Synopsis: I guess this is just another sign that the Korean froyo craze is subsiding.

No surprise that this place closed. They don’t speak much English and they don’t have your orders ready on time. Bad business.

I went to the Frosting Decorating Class and not only I had a great time but also I learned a lot. Read my full review here:
If you enjoy doing and decorating cupcakes… Vanilla Bean Gourmet Cupcakes is a must. I do hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Natalia

My girlfriends and I came here last weekend for their frosting decorating class with a travelzoo voucher. The class was so much fun. We learned a variety of frosting techniques and got to take 4 cupcakes home each. The cupcakes were yummy and the couple who own the place and teach the classes are super cute and so nice. They were also really patient and encouraging. I can’t wait to take another class!

I… don’t check in to this place enough! It’s always there for me. LOL. Conveniently located right by the Safeway… there was a month there where I was here like ever 4 days! I LOVE frozen yogurt but they always have my Cheesecake bites, my Captain Crunch, the best flavors of Yogurt…
…damn… now I want to go get some frozen yogurt…
The owners friendly and love his cupcakes that I’ve yet to try. The staff he’s picked has been very friendly and helpful and gives me tips on what to try without being pushy or all up in my biz-​ness. ;D I think mostly they’re college students and it’s a great little entry level job for them.
I’ve seen everything from familys to groups of tweens to college kids here.
The pricing scale is confusing to the customer and they tend to add your total on a personal calculator … which seems sketchy… but it’s always been cheaper than what I was expecting… so good for them and ME!

I suggested that we come into this restaurant to get some dessert after we had ramen across the way. This place is similar to that of Yogurtland or Menchi’s where you self-​serve your own flavors or frozen yogurt.
I selected 4 flavors and packed in some toppings… for my parents to share. My husband also ordered a cup full of froyo too. With a Unilocal check-​in, you get 50% off the 2^nd froyo cup. With both of our cups, it would have been $ 9+; however, I only ended up paying $ 7+ with the discount from the Unilocal check-​in!

This review is about their frozen yogurt and customer service.
The gentleman at the register was very helpful and friendly. He gave me a yogurt card and informed me how it works.
The yogurt and the yogurt selection was a complete «melt down». They only had 5 flavors working and surprisingly they didn’t have a vanilla flavor. I tried finding a different flavor to go with the chocolate, but had no success. Their toppings seemed promising. but only the candy. the fruit had looked like they had been sitting their for quite some time. The yogurt came out to what looked normal, but for some odd reason was melting really fast.
It did smell really bad in the shop though. Bad as in B. O bad. If it smelled like that on a nice spring day, just imagine how it would smell when it’s a hot summer day.
I rather go to rick’s diner for some dessert and pass up this place. It’s unfortunate though since I like eating at the ramen shop across the way.

I am not a huge sweets eater, but do like a good cupcake every once in awhile. This place definitely falls into the really good category.
I came here after Carol P.‘s birthday gathering at The Mix with fellow Unilocalers Devo S., Donovan H, and Claudia H. The owner was working the counter and told us what each cupcake was and what was in them. I quickly settled on the salted caramel cupcake (Claudia took the last blueberry) for there, and a lemon to go. I also picked up a raspberry, and a confetti, for my wife and daughter. The owner told me to pick another one for free to keep them in the box better! What is better than a free cupcake?! Well, it is probably the fact that he let me still use my check-​in discount and got 5 cupcakes for only $ 6.00!
We all sat at a small table and it got real quiet as we all enjoyed the super moist, dense cupcakes. Donovan had that look on his face like Andrew Zimmern after eating something good. He also had the salted caramel and it was pretty damn good. The frosting wasn’t overly sweet and made me very happy. Claudia with her blueberry, and Devo with her death by chocolate. They were in a world of their own. We all really enjoyed our cupcakes.
After we had all finished our cupcakes, and were ready to leave, the owner walks over and gives a lemon cupcake to share, some discount cards, and buy 10 get 1 free punch cards. He even brought us a knife to cut it. It was super good with the lemon curd or whatever hiding inside under the frosting.
Once I got home, my wife and daughter also loved their cupcakes. I had the other ones the next day. They were still really good the second day.
I will be back for sure to support this business, you should too.

Okay I am a sucker for anything sweet and I can literally be like a kid at heart when it comes to eating cupcakes. And as caped crusader Robin would say «Holy Moly Sweet Tooth!». Well, the cupcakes I recently ate at «Vanilla Bean» far exceeded my expectations and is definitely one of those places to indulge. and who’s counting calories and carbs when this stuff looks so damn good!
«Vanilla Bean» is conveniently located in the same parking lot as Safeway directly on S St. and adjacent to 18^th St. in Midtown Sacramento. This location was once known as «Cultivé Frozen Yogurt» for a couple of years before the new owners took over in 2011 and resurrected the business as «Vanilla Bean». The interior is bright, cheery, and full of livelihood as there is ample seating inside and out. And for those of you who aren’t craving cupcakes, the business still offers a nice selection of frozen yogurt on those hot Sacramento summer days.
I come here on a Friday evening around 8:00pm with my lovely lady, Claudia H., and fellow Unilocalers Devo S. and Todd G. We previously came from MIX-​Downtown for a birthday UYE (Unofficial Unilocal Event) to fellow Unilocaler, Carol P. After we had our fair share of delectable appetizers and alcoholic beverages (at MIX Downtown prior to coming here) to keep our inebriated minds going, we all were debating. Should we eat cheesecake? Should we eat ice cream? Should we eat chocolates? and the unanimous vote came in that we wanted CUPCAKES!
As all four of us proceeded to the glass fixture displaying a nice little selection to choose from. The gentleman (who I’m assuming is the owner) behind the counter thoroughly told us every cupcake that was available. Everything from «Lemon» to «Chocolate Raspberry» to «Blueberry» to «Rainbow Sprinkles» were available. And several others that I couldn’t remember off the top of my head. As I narrowed it down, my cupcake of choice was the «Salted Caramel». My lady chose the «Blueberry» flavor. And best of all, when you check in on the Unilocal app, you get buy one cupcake & get the second at 50% off. After it was all said and done, the two cupcakes totaled only $ 3.00! Now that’s a screaming deal!
Our fellow Unilocalers Devo S. had the «Death by Chocolate» cupcake. She truly loved it as every chocolatey bite was decadent and heavenly. And by the reaction of Todd G.‘s «Salted Caramel, he devoured his cupcake in seconds! I particularly enjoyed my «Salted Caramel» as the cupcake itself had a perfectly balanced density to it. And as we all had agreed on, the icing used wasn’t overbearingly sweet. It was tolerable while not packing too much sugar.
But wait, there’s more! After all four us ate our respective cupcakes (keep in mind our tummies were full after indulging in appetizers and drinks), the owner brings out a complimentary «Lemon» cupcake for all of us to share! We split it four ways and immediately were in lemon heaven. There was a perfect texture to the lemon cake while the lemon frosting tasted wickedly good. And an added bonus was a lemon gel that was oozing in between the icing and cake itself.
Overall, this experience at «Vanilla Bean» was one that I will remember for a long time! And the owner was truly nice to us as he went above and beyond by making us all happy customers. He even gave us a punch-​card where you buy 10 cupcakes and get 1 free. And even a card where you get $ 5 off for buying ½ dozen cupcakes and $ 10 off for buying 1 dozen cupcakes. Additionally, «Vanilla Bean» offers delivery (in the local area), catering, and weddings. I truly hope this business will be here to stay for a long time as I support the hard work and determination to make «Vanilla Bean» what it is. And that’s one amazing little dessert shop!

Wow… I can’t believe it’s almost two years since I wrote my first review of this place. So, in fairness, I gotta give an updated review, because, in fairness, my latest experience deserves an updated, upgraded review :)
So, after noshing on varieties of appetizers at fellow Unilocaler Carol P.‘s b-​day gathering at Mix, I had a hankering for something sweet. Many fine dessert establishments (Ginger Elizabeth, Rick’s, etc.) were thrown out, as were different dessert fares (chocolate, cheesecake, ice cream). Claudia took to her Unilocal app and happened upon Vanilla Bean, and fell in love with the variety of cupcakes shown, so that’s where she, Donovan H, Todd G, and myself headed.
Once we got there, and upon checking in, we saw the «buy one cupcake (or froyo) and ge the second one 50% off)» deal… score! Now the hard part; narrowing down what we wanted from the selection presented. Since I originally wanted chocolate, I got the Death by Chocolate cupcake, which is chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and more chocolate. Hit the spot, needless to say. And it also reminded me why I liked Vanilla Bean the first time I was there… their cake is more dense but very flavorful, and their frosting is delicious without being cloyingly sweet. I loved it. I also got Hubby a Blueberry cupcake, which I never tried, but from the reaction given by Claudia every time she took a bite of HER Blueberry cupcake, it must have been damn good. She could NOT stop talking about how much she loved that cupcake!
Both Donovan and Todd got the salted caramel cupcake, and seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. Todd also got cupcakes to go for himself and the family (and the owner threw in one more just to balance out the to-​go box… awesome).
Speaking of the owner, I’m gonna keep coming back JUST because I like this guy soooo much! You can tell he takes pride in his cupcake creations and lovingly explained what each cupcake was comprised of. He gave us each Vanilla Bean punch cards, and catering cards with $ 10 off one dozen or $ 5 of a half dozen deals on them… YAY!
And, to top it off, he brought us out one Lemon cupcake to share, at no cost… woot! Boy, was it delicious; lemon cake with lemon frosting with a yummy lemon gel inside the cake that just took it up 20 lemon levels… sooooo good!
Like I said, love this place, love the cupcakes, and love the proprietor. I will be back, and I hope you’ll keep this small-​business owner with a dream on his feet by investing in and trying his yummy cupcakes. I STILL have to try the maple bacon, and the Chuck Norris, so I’ll mos’ def’ be back :)

Hugely disappointing.
Sunday 11:30am and the place failed to even open. It’s not often I’m in Sacramento so on my visit last weekend I made a point of coming here on the Sunday morning before heading home. I even made my Husband hang around the downtown for 90 minutes after checking out of the hotel as they were not due to open until 11am.
We came to the store at just after 11am to find the store closed and no one around. I even called the business number listed to get no reply. We waited… and waited yet no one came to open the store. Needless to say I was extremely annoyed and this is some of the worst business practice I have witnessed.
Personal experience? Yes. I spent almost 25 minutes waiting for someone to come and open the store when it was *supposed* to be yet it never happened. If you don’t plan on opening your business one day at least post a notice on your door or announce it on your Facebook!

The cashier/​owner (?) was polite and nice. The frozen yogurt selection was small and almost. boring. Today it was vanilla, chocolate, blueberry tart, strawberry banana… etc. Nothing out of the ordinary and nothing especially appetizing. Where’s the NY cheesecake froyo? Cookies and cream? Birthday cake? Etc?
I guess it is only fair to say that this review is ONLY for the froyo. I did not try their cupcakes but seeing the mixed reviews on the cupcakes, I probably won’t be any time soon.
Their toppings seemed old/​stale and selection was limited. I got two white chocolate covered pretzels despite it not looking its best, ate one and threw the other one. It was stale. The blueberries I got also did not look fresh.
I may stop by after lunch/​dinner for a cup cake in the future but no more froyo for me from Vanilla Bean!

FROZEN YOGURT
The frogurt was not that great. The toppings were limited and did not look or taste fresh. It seems like this place is more known for their cupcakes, so my review may be biased, but based on the frozen yogurt alone I’d say there are better places.
AMBIENCE
Not very welcoming or comfortable. Few chairs and tables. I was in a group of nine and one person had to stand.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
The cashier was polite. He gave each of us a stamp card.

Speaking of her friends’ wedding (referenced in Jorgess’ review)…
I was the bride! There were 250 chocolate-​covered strawberry cupcakes served at my wedding and every single one was thoroughly enjoyed by our guests.
My sister’s maid-​of-​honor duty was to find the best-​tasting/​best-​priced cupcakes in Sacramento and she had nothing but great things to say about working with them. From scheduling a tasting appointment, to setting the display up at the reception, the staff were incredibly generous. We were even able to make customized monograms and flavors to compliment our color scheme: coral and champagne.
We highly recommend choosing Vanilla Bean for special events!

I’m a firm believer in dessert. So after dinner, we head over to try the cupcakes at Vanilla Bean. Surprised at the variety of the different kinds of cup cakes that they had available. Despite the fact that they were closing in 5 minutes on a Friday night!
The four cupcakes we tried:
1. Smore Cupcake– chocolate cupcake with marshmallow filling, topped with a graham cracker, chocolate icing, and a large marshmallow — my FAVORITE out of the four pack. Texture of the cake was moist, the icing wasn’t overwhelming, and the frosting wasn’t too sweet or too much. Just perfect!
2. Salted Caramel — White cake with white frosting. The frosting had dribbles of caramel on top and then drizzles of chocolate. Another winner in my book. Very tasty.
3. Blueberry Pancake — I was expecting a muffin consistency, but it tasted like a real pancake! Super moist and fluffy.
4. Rocky Road — Chocolate cake with marshmallow filling with chocolate frosting, sprinkled with nuts and baby marshmallows. Just as yummy as the smore cupcake.
Loved how each cupcake had a moist cake base. If the cake part isn’t good, then it ruins the whole thing. Loved the Variety and different flavors. It feels good to know that their cupcakes still taste amazing even at the end of the day! $ 3 a piece though.

I was craving something sweet after eating ramen and I saw Vanilla Bean across the street, Unilocaled it, and since it had decent reviews, decided to be adventurous !
This place looks like your typical froyo place with a cupcake case at the counter! We came around closing time so there weren’t alot of cupcakes left but the ones definitely looked appetizing! I went with the almond joy cupcake and my friend also got one because of the Unilocal deal — one of my other friends decided to get one too and since it was around closing time, the owner gave her hers for free! Such a sweet guy !
My Almond Joy cupcake was REALLY dense and chocolately ! The frosting was a bit overpowering because it was really sweet but HEY I LOVE SWEET STUFF!
It was a bit dense for me but it did not taste like a regular safeway cupcake like someof the other comments said ! Overall, I liked the cupcake and will definitely be coming back

As often as I go to Ryujin Ramen across the parking lot, I stop in at Vanilla Bean. The coconut froyo is delish but I must truly compliment them on their ever-​changing cupcake selection. Flavors such as spiced chai tea latte, Andes mint, s’mores, and of course the basic chocolate or vanilla bases with fresh raspberries or strawberries on top, and fillings too! The cake itself is never dry, the frosting never too sweet. I’m a sucker for gourmet cupcakes (Cupcake Craving, Let Them Eat Cake, the usual suspects). Fine ingredients, and simply the best mini pieces of art (might I even say, heaven?) you can find. Death by chocolate? Shut up and take my money already.
P. S. Unilocal check-​in gives you 50% off the 2^nd cupcake or a frozen yogurt!

I found out about this place through a Living Social deal and I got a coupon for a half dozen gourmet cupcakes for $ 9. Upon entering, the place is not to big but cozy. The man greeted me and asked me how I could be assisted. I showed him my coupon, and he said «Well I’m happy your giving us a try, thank you for coming in». He then described every cupcake and its flavor to me. I chose my cupcakes, he packaged them up and I left.
I was pleasantly surprised at the great customer service provided here! As for the cupcakes, yummy! I am not a fan of cupcakes, let alone frosting, but I ate the frosting and cupcake in seconds and enjoyed every bite. I don’t agree with paying around $ 3 for the size of the cupcakes, but if you are going to treat yourself to a treat, this is the place. Good job Vanilla Bean!

I like trying cupcakes from all over the place. This was one of them and we went here and it’s a really small shop. It also sells froyo but I came for the Chuck Norris cupcake, maple cupcake and the blueberry pancake.
Yes… a cupcake named after Chuck Norris! Peanut Butter/​Caramel (protein) and chocolate! It was good. It’s very different. You do need to eat it at room temp. I ate part of it room temp then fridged it and it became really hard.
Blueberry pancake… That was pretty good. It did taste like a pancake.
Maple bacon cupcake — it was alright. I’ve had better. I took one down to Rob P because he loves bacon.
Service:
It was nice. She saved the cupcakes for me (I called to reserve them) — so that was really nice of her!
Overall:
I recommend the Blueberry Pancake because of taste. Chuck Norris because of the name.