Navigating: birthday cakes for procrastinators

Jamaica's Cakes

The cake: Even if 95 percent of Jamaica’s business is custom-ordered, that remaining 5 percent means you’ve got an easy out for tonight’s birthday gathering, and the counter usually stocks four or five cakes every day. The flavors vary, but there will always be something chocolate, something vanilla and a mixture of both. One day’s offerings included blueberry-Champagne, cookies ‘n’ cream, and for purists, Simply Chocolate.

The price: $20 for 6-inch round; $38 for 9-inch.

The extras: Jamaica’s signature fresh flower decorations and writing are complimentary.

If you have more time: Try one of the super-impressive 3-D cakes—recent orders recreated a Louis Vuitton bag and the hamburger phone from "Juno."