Crixa Cakes
Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Neighborhood: South Berkeley2748 Adeline Street
(between Shattuck Ave & Stuart St)
Berkeley, CA 94703 (510) 548-0421
- Hours:
Tue-Thu 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Wi-Fi: None
- Good for: Breakfast
- Alcohol: None
176 Reviews for Crixa Cakes
One of Crixa Cakes' Favorite Reviews
******ATTENTION FELLOW CRIXA-CRACK HEADS*****
DANGER!!! DANGER!!! DANGER!!!
Crixa Cakes is CLOSING....*collective gasp*....for two weeks, beginning July 27th!!!!
That's right, it's vacation time for our beloved crew at Crixa Cakes and while that is great news for them, it's going to be a DESPERATE two weeks for those of us who are addicts. That said, get over to Crixa A * S * A * P to get your last fix BEFORE close of business on Saturday, 'cuz they won't reopen until Friday, August 8th.
If you can't get to Crixa to stock your freezer before they go on holiday, Berkeley Addiction Treatment Services is located at 2975 Sacramento Street.
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Now, about that Boston Cream Pie that I tried today ($5.85) ...it was pretty good, but it's their shortbread cookie that makes my toes curl with every bite ($1.85)~
Seriously....I get tingly just thinking about it!
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/05/2007
1 STAR-amazing cakes, cookies, etc.
1 STAR lovely relaxed and soothing indoor ambiance
1 STAR ample… Read more »
This is based only on the tiramisu. It's the BEST I've had in LIFE!
Lemme put this into perspective for you. Tiramisu is not one of my fave desserts, but this experience has now put it in my top 5.
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I'm a modern day Betty Crocker in the kitchen. Pastry chef-like activities is a form of relaxation for me. When I'm stressed out, I grab a spatula and head to the kitchen.
I appreciate store bought cakes and pastries, but never buy them myself because I always figure I can do it just as well or even better myself. However, this past weekend we had a TON of friends and family in town and there was no way I had time to get into the kitchen and bake in between family dinners, entertaining my father-in-law and various other get togethers with other groups of friends.
Desperate for a selection of cakes that I could impress our friends that have come to expect a lot from me in the way of desserts, I turned to Yelp and decided to take a chance on Crixa Cakes.
I scanned the advance order section of the website and settled on the Orange Chocolate Mousse Cake and the Lemon Pistachio Cream Cake.
Still a little nervous about serving a non-homemade cake in my own home, I walked into Crixa to pick up my order and was immediately at ease. The storefront is small, but they pack in a lot of delectable looking goodies in the space.
I brought the cakes home, arranged them on my own cake stands and after taking the first bite of the chocolate orange flavor, considered passing it off as one of my own creations.
For a dessert fanatic, this is the place to be. I love that their website shows the specials of the day. If I was still living in Berkeley, I would have this site bookmarked.
The desserts all look and taste amazing. This is a great place to go to for an "afternoon tea" with your friends or significant other. I went with my best friend and we split a piece of cake and a pot of Earl Grey tea. YUM! It's a very quaint place and everybody is very friendly. I really wish I lived closer to Crixa Cakes so I could go to it all the time. I miss it!
It's been a LONG time since I've been impressed with a bakery. In the past week, we've had 4 cakes from Crixa (Rum Raspberry Chocolate Mousse, Lemon Mousse, Chocolate Orange, Red White and Blueberry) for 2 family birthdays and each one was just perfect! At first, we though my sister was crazy to buy 2 cakes for a celebration with 6 adults. One bit though and we were hooked - my husband, who rarely eats sweets, was so impressed he had 3 slices of cake!
The mousses are light and airy; the chocolate is dark and subtle as opposed to overpoweringly sweet; the "extras" like the run and the orange are just enough to provide a freshness to the cake; the lemon is lemony without the standard mouth-puckering tart matched with uber-sugary finish. Instead, this lemon is flavorful and balanced.
Delicious and pretty - I can't review for cost though as I didn't buy the cakes. This is a definite must in your little black book of food :)
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Absolutely AMAZING strawberry shortcake.
Just as good as home-baked (if your Mom is an amazing pastry chef). Absolutely the best pastry I've ever had outside my own family. I'd prefer the prices to be lower, but as evidenced by my periodic visits, I'm willing to pay premium prices for quality that's beyond words.
We've been here twice so far. The second time I ordered not one, but 2 desserts. These desserts are like what you'd get if you went to someone's house for dessert and their mom was the best baker in the world. There is nothing skimped on here. Their chocolate everything is great, they serve up mountains of whipped cream, delightful coffee, and in a nice atmosphere, including some outside tables. It's the perfect place to go when you want to pamper yourself. Everyone there is doing the same thing. Forget getting a second dessert "to go." You'll eat it there. Oh, might I add the portions are abundant as well as selections. Choosing is the hardest thing here.
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i think i missed the part where this was a big deal. i liked the lemon cake and the "kreme" (i think that's what it was?), but it didn't spark any form of obsession.
If I knew Fatima, I would marry her.
also If I lived near Crixa I would be dead by now. I would be the 1st casualty of death by dessert (dbd).
You have been warned. ;-)
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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02/02/2007
March 9th, 2007 UPDATE
************************* ****************
SINFUL, Damn the Black Forest Cake… Read more »
First off I'd like to say something to all of you people complaining about how "pricey" this establishment is. Go try and make consistently perfect pastries yourself and see how well you do. Flour, butter, eggs, heavy cream, chocolate and many of the other ingredients used for pastries are not cheap. Crixa doesn't skimp on any of these things, so go get yourself a crappy costco cake and eat it till you puke (into your personal vomitorium so that you can eat it again you fricking gluttons).
Bottom line is YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!
I love crixa. Crixa is gem. I wish I could give it 6 stars because it's so good it should be illegal.
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I would have given it 4 stars, but it is really getting pricey (or is it just me?).
I spent $15 on two drinks, a slice of pie (with whipped cream) and a kolachy!!
Love your desserts, I just might not be able to afford them for a while.
: (
...and last I saw the front door is not the best for wheelchair/disabled access
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I've had many flourless chocolate cakes, but this one is my favorite. Normally they are too rich, dense and gooey. One slice you can't even finish. Crixa's are tender, cakier, and chocolatey without being too sweet. I can eat a slice as big as my arm. It's also gluten free for those out there who need to know.
The cake also has a rustic look, with white sugar dusted on top. I bought a 9x12 one for 35 dollars, and had them write happy birthday on top (which was in white so a little hard to see). They also included one candle.
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Probably the best cakes ever. Crixa is a Hungarian/Russian influenced bakery from what I understand, and they have the best desserts I've found in the BA. They always have certain kick-ass usuals - tiramisu cakes of varying styles, amaretti cream cake, etc. - and also a few specialty items that are only available seasonally or certain days of the week.
Their website has a wealth of information about the different cakes and other baked goods they offer. I heartily suggest the potato piroshki (best I've had, although a bit pricey), the carmella, and the Rigo Jancsi. The earlier you go, the more options you will have - by late afternoon they've often sold out of the more specialty offerings.
The guy who is always behind the counter (never caught his name, but looks in charge) is always very helpful and friendly, as is everyone else I've ever encountered there. My wife and I decided to screw a mountainous wedding cake and got several items from Crixa instead for our reception. We were not disappointed.
There's nothing better on a cold bay area evening than getting a huge slice of tiramisu and a cup of their surprisingly good house coffee and posting up at Crixa. I just wish they stayed open later! Go there.
First of all I must say,
I was spoiled as a child with Fine pastries and baked goods.
my neighborhood being
a lot of post WW2 European immigrants
We had a English bakery a German bakery a dutch Deli Etc.
Now the Dimond in Oaklands a shithole.
So when I find a true Artisan place, it puts my faith back in mankind.
I had the most excellent bread pudding the other day,
with my coffee.. Not too sweet, just perfect.
the host was a pleasant down to earth guy.
Very cordial.
Beautiful atmosphere.
Nice place to impress someone.
Damnit though, they're not open on mondays!
Crixa is a gem.
My favorites are the Russian style cheesecake and fruit pies.
The coffee is rich and fresh.
Crixa is sparkling clean with a giant bouquet of fresh flowers each week. You feel like your living well when you go to Crixa!
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I am so glad I am not a diabetic, because I want one of everything here. This is a huge compliment, because I like to bake, and I am a perfectionist when it comes to baking. I throw away baked goods that don't turn out right, because they simply aren't worth the calories. But, I would lick every last crumb of any Crixa cake or pastry.
I especially liked the Fatima's thighs and the ginger cake. The poppyseed rugelach was interesting and the cakes were light and moist. The horn of damascus would be great in the morning with tea or coffee. I wished I lived next door.
In sum, Crixa makes really high-quality baked goods. Cakes are light and pastries are flaky, just as they should be. The store itself is cute, and a pleasant place to sit, drink coffee and read a book.
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A KONDITOREI? IN BERKELEY?
Crixa really is a yummy, Old World-style pastry shop/cafe. Not Austrian or German, though: this place is resolutely Hungarian, with a nod toward the Slavic. It's not a Viennese experience, but it'll do for Berkeley.
Because I'm chocolate-obsessed though, I have to try all the chocolate things until I'm exhausted. And it's the Carmella which has stood out so far -- chiffon cake with a cream center and soft caramel on top. It's light but very eatable. The New Orleans Bourbon cake is also good, but monochromatic for me.
I think most people will be very happy to come here.
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Self control to the max here! OMG I walked in and wanted a slice of EVERYTHING! I was still stuffed from having Zachary's for lunch but I ALWAYS have an appetite for dessert.
We grabbed a table outside since it was a beautiful day and we had Brownie with us. After browsing for a few minutes, I decided what I wanted - Fatima's thigh (I scored the last one!), a slice of Tiramisu cake, and an iced coffee. It was later in the afternoon so they still had a decent selection of items, but were running out of the pies. The pies sounded amazing - they had a coconut banana cream pie but were all sold out. Someone else had also purchased the last slice of a rhubarb pie that made my mouth water.
The fatima's thigh ($2.65) was interesting - it was a flaky pastry filled with almonds, currants, rose and orange-blossom water, and dusted with powdered sugar. I have the admit the filling was a little strange, but in a good way. It's texture and flavors were unique so it made it fun to eat. The tiramisu cake ($4.85/slice) was heavenly - everything about it was perfect. The cake was super moist, the brandied mascarpone cream was so tasty, and the dusted cocoa made each bite so lovely! The iced coffee was the best we've ever had and perfect to sip on during a beautiful afternoon. ahhh...we were completely stuffed but left with huge smiles, still wanting more!
Parking was relatively easy, as there's a good amount of spaces right in front. They have about 5 outdoor tables, with 2-3 seats at each one. It's a relatively small bakery, but indoor seating is also available. Arrive early for a greater selection!
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I've only tried their Boston Creme Pies...Its the only place i know that has great Boston Creme Pies.
I came across this place when I got a recommendation from Sweet Adeline Bakeshop looking for those creme filled, chocolate coated treats! Adelines, unfortunately did not make any, but referred me to Crixa with high recommendations! And, high it was!
I ordered 4 mini pies for my friend's birthday (They didn't make huge pies for the boston creme, only individual sized ones)....I ordered an extra for myself, to hold me over till the party that is.... and OMG it was a heavenly delisioushness!!! It was fairly light in taste, not overly sweet. The custard was not overpowering, the chocolate was a perfectly coated, the pie part was moist. It took a LOT of self control to not eat the other 4 that I got for my friend for his bday.
So arriving at the party rendezvous point, my friend was of course surprised that I found a fabulous place for his favorite Boston Creme Pie fix, and since we are generous people, we were passing it around and EVERYBODY loved it!
Its the only place i found, in my research for Boston Creme Pies, that had 1. made Boston Creme Pies, and 2. makes a MEAN DELICIOUS Boston Creme Pie!
I'll come back, along to many of the other places I say I will, and try their other delicious treats that all these other yelpers fantasize about in their sweet sweet dreams!
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YUM! Really high quality cakes and a cute atmosphere. A great place to bring your grandmother for some tea and cake. I agree with some of the other reviewers - you get what you pay for and its plain to taste that Crixa uses super high quality ingredients. I wouldn't go anywhere else for cake.
Parking is easy. Its also diagonal from Berkeley Bowl, so you can pop it to rev up for grocery shopping and be in a way better mood afterward.
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A bit pricey for cakes and less creative choices. I only come when I am close by or looking for tasty dessert for the night.
It actually is not expensive - this is the normal price that you would pay for quality food. I also grew up with English and German pasty shops and this stands up to that quality. I bought a pistachio lemon cake for my husband's birthday - his favorite flavors. I initially planned to not have a slice because it sounded absolutely disgusting, but I can tell you, that not only was it so delicious, but everyone at the party raved about the cake! My bday cake will be coming from there this year - in chocolate! The staff is really nice and very helpful on the phone, when placing an order. The atmosphere is cozy and quiet inside, perfect for reading. The other patrons were talking softly, as people should, but absurdly don't always do. Parking is right in front. It's a great place!
Another bakery that I can't resist in good ol' Berkeley.
All I've tried is the flour less cake which is absolutely superb. It has just the right amount of chocolate richness and it's very moist with each bite. I usually take it to go because the bakery doesn't have appealing atmosphere. I get a fork and can't wait to take my first bite when I get home so I unravel the Crixa sticker and enjoy it in my car. That moment is always special to me.
Cons:
No tangible menu.
A bit pricey but this doesn't lurk me away.
Parking
Atmosphere. The area is not a pretty part of Berkeley but seating inside is do-able.
All in all, Crixa Cakes has made me a fan and I can't wait to go back very soon.
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this place has a delightful atmosphere, but is a bit on the expensive side. Most of their pastries are fabulous--I especially recommend the ginger cake and the lemon springerle cookies. However, their Hungarian specialties did not meet the traditional standards of my Hungarian father-in-law. For example, the kifli is in a hard, pie-like crust, rather than the soft, croissant-like feel of the same item in Budapest. Maybe these are regional differences, but I suspect it has more to do with pleasing the Bay Area market. So if you're looking for traditional items from Hungary, you may be disappointed. Not that it won't taste great--it just won't be the item you remembered from home.
One more gripe: I wish Crixa was open on Sundays. That's the day to sit around a cafe and eat pastries!
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I bought the chocolate flourless cake for myself and enjoyed every crumb. Bought the plum turnover, poppy rugala and one other item a little slice of layer cake with almond and rose in it for my Hungarian wife and she thought it was all great.
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I'm drooling and not wiping it while I type this. I have three words:
Chocolate Flourless Cake
That right there, you will shank your bestest girlfriend over! Nuff' said!
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Sitting here outside Crixa stuffing my face with boston creme pie, having a latte, and watching the Obama signs down Adeline, life is pretty good. Got my laptop locked, and so does Jessica P. across from me, 'cause near Ashby BART is not where you want to be when the laptop-lifting thugs come calling. Beautiful weather out today, too! People in the median sitting out in the sun next to Berkeley Bowl, everybody watching the Ashby/Shattuck traffic go by. This was my neighborhood years ago, just a block from the Bowl, and I wish we had Crixa back then!
Damn, they make good cakes . . . and good coffee.
Just be careful of the Prius (Pious?) drivebys. I just got rolled up on by 2 of 'em, and they sure do come up on ya all quiet-like.
And I just hit 200! ;-)
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Yummy for your tummy goodness!
Delightful baked goods to match the atmosphere. The smells are just heavenly and love that they sell espresso items too. They have outside seating and close in the early evening for dessert dates.
The cakes and baked items are pretty as well as tasty. Enjoy!
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I wonder if Shixas eat at Crixa's...it had to be said.
It's just so fun to say...like Francisco. Say it with me Fran-cis-co!
I braved the beautiful weather on my bike and took my lappy to a table outside.
Strong iced coffee in one hand, Boston Creme Pie in the other, who could ask for anything more. Sweets with my sweet.
This place is just so...comforting.
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Good bakery, plus, they have some individually sized cakes perfect for a birthday treat or someone like me who has too much of a sweet tooth to be trusted with anything more. =) The Boston Cream Pie and Almond Cake with Raspberry are very yummy. I wasn't fond of the Bread Pudding because it was more of a cake as opposed to the bread pudding my Dad and Gram make.
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OMG. this sh*t is good.
I've been wanting to try this place forever, but they're always closed when I get off work. I finally went today, and the first thing I thought when I looked at their cakes was, frick, $4.85 for *ONE* slice of that?!!! This sh*t better be good.
Well, this sh*t is good.
That is all.
(PS. for the record, I had one of their florio things and a chai tea.)
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Got a Puncs Torta for my boyfriend's birthday on Friday based on the reviews and the delicious pictures on their website. It was amazing. Expensive, but worth it. It's not a cake for the kiddies as it was very boozy, but it was such a welcome relief from the overly sugared repulsive grocery store cakes I've been eating lately. It looked lovely too. The store is cute. We also grabbed a couple of poppyseed rugelach for the road and they were also amazing. I can't wait for my next excuse to head up to Berkeley and try another one of their amazing-looking deserts.
This place is ADORABLE!!!! Location was not where I expected it to be considering it being near construction.. but parking was VERY easy to find.
I ordered the Tiramisu--ultimately the BEST I've ever tasted in my life! It had the perfect sweetness and softness to its taste. I've also tried the Amaretti cake--extremely GOOD; the Boston Cream Pie--veeerry delicious especially the chocolate coated outside, but took me by surprise because I was actually expecting a gush of creamy filling inside rather than the bread; and lastly I've tried the Strawberry Cream Cake--a wonderful tart taste with fresh strawberries inside. The slices were HUGE for $5, which is always a good thing! =)
Seating is limited and tables are usually for 2-3 person at a time. Cute bakery ambiance and a very chill vibe! A must go when you crave for sweets! I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!
Every time I step in here, I feel like I'm in a gingerbread house, where I can eat everything in sight. Even the people inside smell like baked goods. I decided on a slice of lemon cream cake, amaretti cream cake, and soprano tiramisu. Wonderful - the taste was sophisticated and not overly sweet - each with it's own special somethin' somethin'. A bit pricey tho' - 4 slices of cake cost me $20 bucks.
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Whoa.... Amarretti!! I've been wanting to check this place out after reading lots of good reviews here. So finally, i bought a Amarretti Cream Cake for my friend's birthday, and below was our conversation:
Birthday Boy took his fat@ss slice first.
Me: Well?
Bday boy (looked at me with his two HUGE shocking eyes): This is... soo... good
I got served a slice. Me: (speechless) ohhh.
Friend got a slice: (no word)
Finally, bf finished serving everyone and he took his first bite: Wowzers!
Friend finally spoke: this is like... sex in the mouth
BF: it's like orgasm in the mouth...
Me: (still speechless, until I finally finished my slice) mmmm
Whoa. So. Creamy-ly delicious. Heavenly soft. I think I feel it... the hazelnut liqueur... i feel a little... warm......
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All thanks to someone's birthday, I was able to indulge in a piece of one of Crixa's Cakes.
The cake...
1. Smooth
2. Velvety
3. Chocolatey
4. Citrusy
5. Moist
I had never experienced a cake of this magnitude. One of the other attendees said it best, "It's a birthday cake for grown-ups". Those words couldn't ring any truer for this monstrous chocolate mousse cake infused with orange liqueur (Grand Marnier?). This cake truly took the cake (shameless cliche).
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Its a cute shop. We had a slice of the pave vergiate which was a flourless chocolate cake & a slice of the puncs torta that had massive amounts of liquor in it. I really liked the flourless cake but not so much the torta. The fondant on the torta was good and so was the actual cake but the liquor in the center of it was over powering....if you want to get a little buzzed off of dessert I'm sure this will do the trick.
I ordered a large chocolate orange mousse cake (serves 20 - 40 @ $120) for my birthday and was really happy with my choice to go with Crixa. The cake was a bit rich for me but that was to be expected from ordering a rich kind of cake (its mousse, get real Lise!) Every bite oozed quality with the perfect texture and combination of flavors. As Steven says below, my guests raved!
Another neat touch was the cake turned out to be round. I expected a sheet cake to feed that many. Instead, I picked up a beautiful, classy, humongous round cake. Nice!
Ordering the cake was easy - a selection of pre-orderable cakes are listed on the website, along with buttons to complete the purchase online. I had questions about the cake, however, so I made the oh so rare phone call. Service on the phone was friendly and helpful, and for once I didn't feel tortured by holding a phone to my ear.
All in all, quality cakes with quality service.
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Michelle M is the Crixa Cakes poster gal, so I had to take her word that this place is the best in all the bay. She doesn't get paid so well for her charms and has had to set up Crixa After Hours which is open... after hours. If you like to enjoy your pie in the afternoon then you might have to catch Crixa before the moon rises and the wolves come out howling.
OK... Its late and howling wolves and crescent moons seemed an appropriate topic but back to the sweet talkin'.
We just had a small dinner party and Dan B. planned ahead and ordered two pies, a pear ginger and a pumpkin. Both were, well, the best pie I ever had. The crusts were just the right amount of soft and flaky. The pumpkin pie was smooth as silk and the pear was beautiful and amazing. I am so full, but I will fall asleep dreaming of pie.
I have also tried the ginger cake which could make the most stoic of souls shed tears of joy. The lemon cake is wonderful and light, made me dream of dancing in the citrus groves, and I don't really go dancing these days.
The tea is classy and sophisticated, the coffee rich and right. Don't let the brooding nature of the counter staff/bakers deter your enthusiasm. This is serious business, serious baked goods and seriously worth your time and your two cents (more like ten dollars, but the best you've spent in a good long while).
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This is on the way to Berkeley Bowl, as the crow flies. I walked there and stopped because a friend of the family's said that the gingerbread cake there is amazing.
It's served with a bit of fresh whipped cream. And I got an espresso for good measure.
Even before the first bite, I could smell the fresh ginger. After making gingerbread cake a few times, I know that the ginger is key. Freshly grated, but the cake has to marinate in its own filling for a day to truly release the spicy fragrant headiness of the ginger. Which means that it can't be "fresh" baked, but not a week old. Like baked the night before, served the day after.
I broke off a forkful and took a bite. I have this habit of eating from the outside in, like the crust of the pizza first, toward the center. I did the same for this cake. It just got better and better as I got to the center perfection.
The espresso was good too.
But overall, I fear for my waistline.
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