I had been wanting to try out the cakes in Pantler when I read about this place on a magazine. Not that I am easily enticed into checking out the restaurants and bakeries. There is something about Pantler that leaves a deep impression on me. Should be due to the unique array of cake offerings and the philosophies of the owners. Well, I finally have the time to make a trip down to there. The cakes didn't disappoint, with exception to Cassis Mont Blanc.
The must-try of this bakery got to be the Figaro, which I feel is one of the best berries cake. The issue with most berries cake is that most are either too sour due to the overwhelming amount of berries added in between layers, or the berries are more for decoration, so the end result tastes more like a cream cake, rather than a berries one. Pantler got the delicate ratio right for Figaro: there are enough berries to retain that pronounced aroma and taste of the fresh berries, thus giving dimensions to the overall taste, yet not overshadowing the light taste of mascarpone that introduces the delightful creaminess to the cake. It is so good that I tucked in to another cake with great expectations.
But alas, Cassis Mont Blanc is quite a disappointment. I love the huge dollop of cream on top since it is very light but full of creamy goodness. I actually ate that part by itself to fully appreciate its taste, not marred by rest of the cake. The chestnut cream does have that distinct earthy taste and fragance of chestnuts, which is great. However, I find the texture to be grittier than the one I had at Flor. The disastrous part is the biscuit base with cassis. Chestnut cream cannot go well with sour fruits, especially cassis with that black currant's taste. The sharp acidity is killing the harmonious, milder flavour of chestnut. I ended up eating the chestnut part separately from the cassis biscuit base because the combination of the two is too awful to take.
Yatsura, the rich praline cake, helped to salvage things before I branded Figaro as the only cake here worth trying. Unlike Figaro, which is quite daring in terms of taste, Yatsura has that classic, familiar flavours typical of praline cake. In terms of taste, it is good in every way. Every mouthful of this cake is bursting with nutty aroma of hazelnuts that go perfectly well with the chocolate. The mousse is very smooth, and the wafer bits added dimensions to the texture that I give two thumbs-up to. Though Figaro is still my favourite since Yatsura doesn't explore new grounds in taste, thus not exciting my taste buds.
Ambience there is pretty chic, nested among a row of shophouses. The service is just okay. Only one young chap welcomed me warmly. The others kind of treated me as transparent. Oh well, I might have been spoiled by the incredible service in
Mad about Sucre, so expecting more from this cafe that I have high expectations of.
All in all, the cakes are worth checking out, with a huge mention of Figaro. Just avoid the Cassis Mont Blanc.
My Thoughts: Nice!
Shifted to River Valley Road
