Mark’s Score 9.0
I love pastries every bit as much as the next guy. But let’s be honest, baked goods and pastries aren’t exactly health food. No matter how much one loves pastries, the wise person eats them judiciously. And as we get older, the pastry budget is less about dollars and more about calories. I don’t weigh pastries in terms of my wallet, rather I weigh them on the basis of my calorie budget. Pastries are fattening, so I have one criterium; is the pastry worth the calories? I no longer buy supermarket baked goods; they are just not worth the calories. If I am going to eat a pastry, I either make it myself or I buy it from a quality upscale bakery. If I am going to spend the calories, then I make it worth my while. Only a select few bakeries on the eastern shore pass my test, Baked Desserts in Berlin is one of those bakeries.
Baked Dessert Café is owned by Robin Tamaselli, who acquired her love for homemade food and pastries at the table of her grandmother. All her baked desserts are made from 100% all-natural ingredients free of artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or trans fats. All of the baked goods are handmade from scratch, and in the finest tradition of French patisseries, all are visually appealing.
Though their store is in downtown Berlin, you can easily miss it. I stumbled upon it one day when I went to lunch at Blacksmiths. I noticed their store front as I crossed Blacksmith’s car park and I resolved to pick up a dessert at Baked after lunch. The store is tucked into a tiny retail space, not much larger than a small foyer. But what it lacks in space it makes up for in visual impact. You walk through turn of the century glass doors and are immediately presented with a glass case full of expertly designed pastries, and baked goods. It is a display worthy of any Parisian patisserie. These are not just desserts; they are works of art in the French tradition of baked goods. The walls are cluttered with art work from local artists. It was a cold grey winter’s day, the first time I visited and the warm cozy atmosphere was a welcome juxtaposition to the cold dreary day.
I love French tarts, but they are difficult to make. So, I ordered their blueberry and strawberry tart. There are several elements to a good tart staring with a flakey buttery short crust. Next is the custard filling, it must be firm but smooth and silky. Then finally come the fruits and cream on top. As a whole the tart must offer multiple textures and flavors without any single one dominating, and you should be able to taste every element. This tart was perfection.
So, what is my conclusion about Baked Dessert Café? Their pastries are worth the calories, and there is no higher praise I can give, when it comes to baked goods.
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