Pastiche Fine Dessert and Cafe in Providence, Rhode Island

Fourteen years ago when I went to work on "The Hill" I had my first cake from Pastiche. We'd done birthdays in other offices so I was prepared for supermarket cake with sugary frosting. Pastiche doesn't do that.

Most celebratory events I'm invited to now are graced by something from Pastiche. Housed in an actual house painted in shades to match the logo Pastiche is located at 92 Spruce Street on the back side of Federal Hill in Providence. The smell of luxuriously rich coffee wafts out to the sidewalk inviting you up the stone steps and into a small room with a wide plank floor. A few booths line the back wall and several tables are scattered in front of the stone fireplace. To the right is a display case filled with pristine delicacies to suit every taste.

The finished products are so flawless it's hard to believe they are real. The best part is they're not covered with that currently popular, expensively inedible medium, fondant. Pastiche cakes are covered with completely delectable real frosting! Other fabulous items like the torta di ciccolade need no frosting but are equally impeccable in appearance. Cookies, fruit squares, biscotti, and brownies make it difficult to leave with a cake for later and nothing to nibble on the way.

Garnishes like caramel or raspberry sauce and real whipped cream take the desserts to the next level. Coffee and hot chocolate come in double sized mugs and Italian style sodas are mixed to order behind the counter. If you forgot a card or candles they have you covered with the latest trends in both.

In fourteen years I've tried almost everything they make and there is nothing I didn't enjoy. Carrot cake; a crumbly melding of carrot, cake, and finely chopped nuts wrapped in silky cream cheese frosting, tops my list. While my kids prefer the impeccable chocolate mousse cake, dark chocolate cookie-crust cradling airy chocolate mousse.

I've hade apple tart with caramel sauce for my birthday and individual rustic apple pie with whipped cream in the fall. In spring fresh fruit rings cover the vanilla custard of the fabulous fruit tart. Lemon squares, Russian tea cookies, and shortbread dipped in chocolate melt in your mouth while flaky rugala drip currants and walnuts. Biscotti are not briquettes but soft baked cookies loaded with almonds.

If you're looking for something impressive for a dinner party, a special birthday cake, a gift, a treat after a show or with girlfriends or a respite on a winter day Pastiche is for you. It can be a bit pricey but it's worth it.