Hidden French Patisserie in Strawberry Bakery

Behind an unassuming storefront in a small strip of shops on Lancaster Avenue lies a hidden treasure for those who appreciate fine French pastry.

The shop was done in bright pink and yellow striped walls—immaculately clean and upscale like a Parisian patisserie, yet welcoming with stools and a silver metal table for relaxing over a Cappuccino ($2.25 - $2.95). A friendly man asked what we might like today. We mentioned that it was our first visit to the shop and asked about the goodies in the display cases that looked so perfect we thought they were purely props.

He told us that all of the items were prepared fresh on the premises without preservatives, including doughnuts that were fried and hand-glazed that morning. Hand made chocolates and cookies are sold by the pound. He took such pride in the items that we asked if he is the chef. He motioned to the chef-owner who was working in the open kitchen, then came out to wait on another customer when he arrived.

The gentleman was very patient as we made our way through the cases of breakfast treats, individual pastries and cakes, baguette and fine chocolates. He made some recommendations, including a seasonal wild berry tart. Our treats were packaged in white bakery boxes, and the chocolates in a gold foil box with a red ribbon.

We started with a plain croissant ($1.50) which is a feat to prepare. The large flaky pastry had ethereal layers and a wonderful buttery richness with a hint of sweetness on the upper golden crust. The croissant itself is a reason to return.

A Cherry Croissant ($1.75) was shaped a bit differently—more like a turnover—but had the same wonderful pastry holding just enough cherry filling to prevent oozing of the center when one takes a bite.

A Mini Wild Berry Tart ($1.25) had a thickened glaze over deep red berries perched on top of a creamy thick custard. A thin layer of chocolate lined the crumbly crust and kept it crisp. A Mini Apricot Almond Tart ($1.25) had a cake like base, a layer of milk chocolate mousse and tender apricots and almond slivers. Each tart was great for sharing for a small taste but could easily be a perfect special dessert for dinner guests.

An Individual Raspberry Cheesecake ($3.25) was as beautiful to view as it was delicious to eat. Raspberry jam topped light whipped cream cheese on a base of sponge cake. The Individual Chocolate Charlotte ($3.25) had layers of ladyfingers, chocolate mousse, and white chocolate shavings to create a light, delicate dessert with milk chocolate flavor. Both were wrapped in a clear plastic belt and placed on rigid gold circles to keep them looking magazine photo worthy even after bringing them home.

A huge Brownie ($1.75) really deserves a different name to distinguish it from the common variety. A rich, buttery chocolate cake like brownie was intense but not overly dense. The topping of chocolate icing with white chocolate swirls upped the chocolate intensity and sweetness.

Our quarter pound selection of hand made chocolates ($8) was almost too lovely to eat. Dark and milk chocolate hearts with swirled white chocolate, seashells, rounded tops and geometric patterns helped distinguish the varieties. Creamy vanilla centers, mild hazelnut ganache, vanilla caramel and milk or dark chocolate ganaches were sweet, creamy surpises inside the beautiful shapes.

The shop has a selection of cards and porcelain mugs, plates and decorative items for those wishing to add to the gift of an exquisite French treat. Cookies can be packaged and shipped by the bakery, and gift towers are also available for shipping directly by the bakery. Vive la Strawberry Bakery!

365 Lancaster Avenue, Frazer
Telephone: 610-644-0505
Website: strawberry-bakery.com
Hours: Tues - Sat, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sat, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.; closed Mondays
Cost: Pastries, croissants, $1 to $3.25; chocolates $8 per ¼ pound; cookies $4 per ¼ pound
Credit cards: VISA, MasterCard
Special Features: Handmade chocolates, French pastry, pastry classes