What's in a name? For Abner Rarang, pastry chef and owner of Crema, the answer is simple: crema (Italian for "cream") is the main ingredient in his decadent treats. Rarang says he likes the stuff so much because it makes everything sweeter. And you'll be quick to agree after a forkful of his dark chocolate mousse cake.
Grab a classic tiramisu cake for your next dinner party or stick around and have a slice with some Intelligentsia coffee or Tazo tea. While Rarang's cakes are the shining star here, he also makes truffles, cookies and muffins. He even offers a ham-and-cheese empanada to balance out all that sugar.
The small corner shop, painted in earthy hues, seats about 20. An absence of decor keeps your focus on the pastries, which incidentally are the fanciest little things you've ever seen. Picking confections here is a lot like choosing diamonds in a jewelry shop. Fortunately, it's a lot cheaper, and the flavors are everything you'd expect from something so beautifully and intricately prepared.
A mousse cake for two (or one if you're feeling naughty) is just $2.75, giant chocolate chip cookies are less than $2 and for $9.50 you can get a paperback-size box of miniature butter cookies. Rarang also sells chocolate-covered, cocoa-dusted almonds by the bagful ($8.50). Call ahead for wedding, birthday and other specialty cakes.
Centerstage Reviewer: Stacy Warden
