Dessert Detectives: Esther’s German Bakery

Reviewing popular menu items based on quality and taste

Keshav Taneja, Staff Writer

Twice a month, El Estoque takes on a new case at a bakery or café, trying to decipher the quality and cost of the most popular items. Continuing the alphabetical trend, we went to Esther’s German Bakery, a café that serves German pastries, warm beverages and hearty breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

Drinks and Desserts:

Hazelnut Cake – $4.00

Rating – 9.5/10

This three-layer cake offered a delightful experience for chocolate-lovers. While the sweetness was a bit overwhelming at first, the creamy texture of the individual layers made each bite melt in the mouth, helping balance out the sweetness. Additionally, the cake was aesthetically pleasing because of the colorful layers. Overall, the rich and thick texture accompanied by the plethora of chocolate flavors made this a pleasant treat.

Cherry Strudel – $4.00

Rating – 6.5/10

Unlike the hazelnut cake, the cherry strudel lacked the expected cherry-chocolate flavor. From first glance, the cherry strudel appeared to have a crunchy outer layer, with a soft inner layer. However, the strudel was not nearly as flaky or crispy as it looked. The cherry filling of the strudel wasn’t soft enough, making it taste chewy and stale. It could have potentially tasted better if it was served warm.

German Coffee – $2.00

Rating – 7/10

While tough to decipher any significant differences between German coffee and regular coffee, the only apparent distinction was the aftertaste. It was not as bitter and pungent as regular coffee, but instead left a strong earthy flavor. However, if not an avid coffee lover, it may be hard to enjoy this beverage because of its similarity to regular coffee.

Overall:

Price – $ / $$$

Rating – 8.5 / 10

Esther’s German Bakery’s wide selection of delicacies and cozy atmosphere make it stand out from other cafés. The snugness of the store made for a comfortable experience, while the clean and tidy interior decor made the store visually pleasing. Each item offered an abundance of flavors which contributed to the uniqueness of the bakery.