Shocked and Appalled

If NY is really the center of the universe, why doesn't it have a good cupcake shop? Everyone talks about Magnolia and Billy's, the local cupcake go-to staples, but upon closer inspection (and in a few cases, tasting them), I've discovered that they don't have nearly the quality of Dozens or Coco's Cupcake Cafe in Pittsburgh. For one, there's no variety. Magnolia only has chocolate and vanilla. Billy's most "exotic" flavor offering is Banana. Now lets review Dozens. They offer among other classics, lavender, pancake, root beer (and it really does taste like rootbeer), strawberry lemonade and more. Coco's also offers delicious vegan varieties such as green tea with crystallized ginger and chocolate coconut. Regular varieties include things like Orange Kahlua, Raspberry Cabernet, Mimosa and Cinnamon Bun. Come on, New York, where's your ingenuity?
Quality wise, it's very much the same in both places, though I do prefer how Dozens cake is somewhat crispy on the outside.
Presentation-wise, I also find New York bakeries lacking. New York bakeries will make their layer cakes lavish pieces of architecture. However, they seem to think that a dressed up cupcake involves just sprinkles. Toss a little confetti and top and we have a party! Where's the art? It's something any lackluster mother could throw together for a kid's birthday party.
Let us compare:





The first two are from NY, the next are all from Pittsburgh. Is that coconut on the presentation photo actually dangling off the edge? I can understand it if it happens in an even or a deliberate asymmetrical manner, but the topping is done so unevenly. And the icing on the set of four cupcakes does not speak of smoothness. Now look at the ones from Pittsburgh. I think they speak for themselves.
Everyone's all about cupcakes in both cities, but sadly, NY is behind on the times. Admittedly, there's some hope for the future - http://kumquatcupcakery.blogspot.com/.