rev:text
| - Seeing how I recently reviewed Venezia (my 5*) and Caldense (3*) for custard tarts, I figure rounding out the other popular spot would be a way to end my Little Portugal search. I wish I could say great things but it's quite similar to Caldense. Haphazard service, not a bad bakery... lots of seating but it's a bit on the darker side, but the tarts were really really sugary sweet without any good flavour. I would say definitely a step down from Venezia but a touch above Caldense possibly.
When I first entered, I saw 3 young ladies behind the counter moving items around. They all looked in my direction and as I stood idly by, not one said hi or verbally acknowledge me. This was awkward. A good minute goes by before this elderly gentleman stands by me. Finally a few moments later, one of the young ladies come to the front cashier section. As I was going to say 'hi', she abruptly goes into a loud Portuguese conversation with the gentleman. I guess he's a regular. He gets his items and he goes off his way.I finally get my turn and I get my 2 tarts placed in a bag. For $2.65, I get 2 hefty tarts.
When I get home... I notice they have the nice caramelized topping and it seems the crust is flakier than Caldense and more similar to Venezia. I take a sniff and I do smell vanilla... somewhat artificial but still a good smell. When we bit into the tart, it definitely had a nice flakey crisp crust. So far so good... as we started to enjoy beyond the crust, the sugar overload hit us pretty hard. This tart was far more sugary one note compared to Venezia and Caldense. It was hard to enjoy as it was too sweet and no flavour other than sugar. I didn't really taste any good egg or vanilla.
Overall, I would still keep Venezia as my number one Portuguese custard tart. This place has a great crust but the filling and service can definitely use some tweaking.
|