Pastry Passions - Oh how sweet it is!
Published:Saturday | August 28, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Kimberly Salmon, Gleaner Writer
Whether you're looking for a fresh place to grab a midday pick-me-up with your co-workers or you're looking for a new excuse to update your twit pic, Saturday Life gives you the breakdown on the city's hot spots. This week's spot is Pastry Passions.
An affair is oftentimes short-lived, but for chef Safiya Chisholm, a love affair with her sweet tooth has led to a growing obsession to change the pastry game in Jamaica.
After 11 years of harbouring an unyielding dream grounded by training at the French Culinary Institute in New York, this vision has advanced to its second phase. After the success of her first store - Pastry Passions back in '08 - Safiya decided to open another, and after just over 10 months, her 800-square foot new home is transcending the triumph of its forerunner.
From puff, flaky or short crust to cookies, pies and even breakfast breads, Pastry Passions has every category of pastry covered, much to the delight of its diverse clientele of men and women of all ages.
The most ordered items on the menu are the cakes, starting with Jamaican favourites like black forest cake and simple, yet appetising chocolate cake. Pastry Passions may produce your grandmother's potato pudding, but it's anything but ordinary, adding handmade crêpes with sweet or savoury filling like nutella, chocolate gnash, curry shrimp and ham, as well as home-made chocolate and uniquely designed petits fours (mini-desserts).
Pastry Passions also offers up natural juices and fresh fruit smoothies to quench thirsts with or without dessert.
The patisserie also has a birthday club, buy-one, get-one-free offers on weekdays and even caters for special events. Further expansion of the Pastry Passions brand is already under way, with a production facility currently under construction.
- Quick Facts
Dress code: Off-the-street wear
Music: French and soft Jamaican melodies
- Ratings
Parking: ★★★
Accessibility: ★★★★
Ambience: French countryside meets modern-day kitchen.
- Highly recommended
Drink: Strawberry smoothie - If you're looking to jazz up your daily serving of fruit, a strawberry smoothie is a fresh and creamy option.
Food: Red velvet cupcakes - Topped with thick home-made icing, coconut shavings and a pecan, this little cupcake packs enough punch to knock out any craving.
Ideal for: A quick sweet-tooth fix any time of the day or any special occasion in need of a classic cake.
- General information
- Located in Lower Manor Park Plaza, Kingston 8.
- Opening hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays noon to 9 p.m., Telephone: 969-3003
- Also located at Shop 17, Sovereign Centre, Kingston 6, Telephone: 927-9105/ 946-0319