From Newsday – Chocolate cakes: the best of Long Island
JACQUELINE’S PATISSERIE, 199 E. Main St., Babylon, 631-893-5334, jacquelinespatisserie.com
Perhaps the most beautiful cake I came across was the invention of Jacqueline Ingoglia. The little tower (4 inches wide, 5 inches tall, $15) was filled with chocolate-raspberry mousse, covered in ganache and then crowned with huge chocolate-buttercream roses with graceful bright-green leaves.
I always think of of Torta Fina (nee Wilhelms) when I think of a Village bakery, but Jaqueline’s is a pretty special place. I should go for a visit and get myself a treat.
Unfortunately, I’ve currently declared war on all desserts until such time as I can fit into some smaller jeans. Maybe I can just get a latte.
Torta Fina, formerly Wilhelm’s, Bakery in Babylon is an underwhelming experience. Every time.
I gave it a chance, and then I gave up. Gosh. Where to start?
I think the best place to start is with the $2, day-old oatmeal cookies. Never, in all my life, have I ever purchased a “hand-made” cookie that needed to be weighed. That’s right. At Torta Fina, even if you are just getting a singular cookie, they will weigh it on the scale and charge you some exorbitant amount.
I have NEVER gotten a hot cup of coffee there. Ever. All their coffee is lukewarm. The employees, many of them also worked at Wilhelm’s, are snotty and rude. They can’t produce consistent drinks, even from hour to hour. Try it for yourself. Go order a “White Hot-chocolate” and watch the confusion that ensues. Go back 3 hours later, and try to get the same drink. It can’t be done. You’ll get a cup-full of butter.
Also, has anyone noticed that place is absolutely filthy?
I really miss Wilhelm’s. It was a real neighborhood bakery. I used to walk there nearly every day, often with my son. And you know what? The *cookie* was free; people we’re friendly, the environment was clean… the experience was lovely.
Torta Fina of Babylon is a prime example of running off of name-recognition. Apparantly, the Babylon branch is the second in the Torta Fina family. Obviously. It is also run by the owner of this website: http://www.newyorkbiscotti.com, which explains the exorbitant amount of biscotti being offered. I haven’t been to the other Torta Fina, but I am sure it’s a much more quality establishment.
So anyway, I now drive 30mins to the Copenhagen Bakery, in Northport Village. It is a fantastic place. And they have soup. Give them a try, and you too won’t mind the 1 hour there and back.
I’m a life long Babylon resident, and Torta Fina has to be the best addition to come to Babylon since the Argyle Grill..hands down. I feel like we have a little Manhattan pastry shop right in our village. I’ll be there bright and early for Easter !
Jacqueline’s is a good spot, but definitely check out Torta Fina. They took over the old Willhelms, which I rarely went to…It’s bright, cheery, and the cakes taste as good as they look. We stopped by this Easter..long lines, but totally worth it.
J.M.