Along the block of small restaurants and vintage clothing stores on Westcott Street, many coffee shops fight to attract locals and college students. At the end of the road, a hand-painted, sunshine-yellow sign boasts the newest competition: Picasso’s Pastries and Cafe.

The bakery, which opened six weeks ago, makes its selection of homemade baked goods daily. The store boasts a relaxed atmosphere, decorated with pieces by local artists.

Glass display cases are filled with muffins, cookies and cakes. The women working behind the counter greet each customer with a grin and a great knowledge of their products, helping customers pick the best treat to curb their cravings. Though there’s no menu, both women happily inform each customer of the homemade goods they have available, since the pastries change daily.

Not a huge fan of overly sweet items and in need of lunch, I chose to start with a cheese roll, a French bread roll made with mozzarella, gruyere and provolone. The roll had an airy and chewy texture, and the mixture of cheese baked inside and on top of the dough gave the roll a strong, savory flavor. A considerable portion for $2.70, I would suggest it as an option for breakfast on the go or as bread for a sandwich.

Next, I teased my sweet tooth with a homemade Pop-Tart filled with apples for $2.50. Buttery, flakey dough encased the apple pie-like filling. Crisp on the edges, the mixture of apples and cinnamon gave the pastry flavor without overpowering the dough.

To finish off my bakery experience, I decided to go out of my comfort zone and order the strawberry mousse cake. Layered with fresh strawberries, creamy mousse filling and shortcake, this slice of cake looked daunting in size. And if that wasn’t enough, it was disgustingly sweet for my liking. While it tasted great, I was only able to take a couple of bites. That being said, the size and flavor would make the cake, only $3.75, a dish to share with a friend on a coffee date or with a significant other.

To wash down the pastries, I ordered a latte with skim milk for $3.75. Using local Recess coffee, the woman behind the counter gave me the option of whole, 2 percent or skim milk. Feeling a little guilty, I chose skim for my frothy topping. As a Starbucks drinker, the coffee tasted weak to me, but still tasty. Either way, the small cup created the perfect mid-day caffeine pick-me-up.

A short walk from campus, Picasso’s Pastries and Café is a nice location to meet a friend you haven’t seen since last semester or a new romantic interest for a weekend get-together. However, limited seating prevents large group gatherings from working in the space. The bakery currently only sells snack-like items, but it plans to expand as it becomes more established.

If you’re looking for a motivational and affordable location to cram for your first test, this bakery is a perfect fix for that — and your sweet tooth.

Published on August 26, 2013 at 1:00 am

Contact Nicole: nlfisher@syr.edu