I have been trying, with limited success, to visit the Sicilian Pastry Shop for a wee while. On my most recent attempt, I was waylaid by Café 9. I took extreme measures, today, by walking a completely different route, past a number of establishments that I knew I’d already reviewed. Even then, I was almost distracted by a place called Oh Crumbs, which I must pop to, soon.

Cake counter

I did manage to reach the promised land, though, much to my delight.

I’m not sure I entirely knew what to expect. People had mentioned that it would be a place I would like, but I rarely, if ever, quite know what that means. Whatever the case, I crossed their threshold to be met by a busy shop and a selection of cakes and baked goods that were a delight on the eye.

Soup

The array of cakes was really impressive. I do have moments of sweet-toothedness, but they are few and far between. Today, I was still focussed on savoury delights, which were located on the top of the counter.

The choice was a little mind-blowing. Did I want Bolognese filled rissole, or cheese and tomato calzone, or arancini, or focaccia, or some or all of the above? I wanted soup, which today proved to be lentil, then I settled upon a mushroom, ham and cheese calzone, to accompany it.

Calzone

The cost for the soup and calzone was a mere £2.70. I left the shop
wondering whether I should have added a second baked treat. As it turned out, the answer was both yes and no.

The yes element derived from the fact that the calzone was excellent. The ham was profuse and tasty, and the bready casing a real treat. It was close to the quality of the sublime soubressade fougasse from Wee Boulangerie.

Exterior

The no element was because the calzone was quite filling enough on its own, and the addition of a rissole would have been pure gluttony. It’s a treat I’ll need to reserve for next time.

The soup was very good, also. I might venture to say it was the best lentil soup I’ve tasted in a long while. It was just a shade off the hallowed “exceptional” level of excellence.

So I was thoroughly delighted with the Sicilian Pastry Shop. If it were a bit nearer to my place of business, there would be an extreme likelihood of me visiting it on a dangerously frequent basis. As it is, there are still enough places on the way to it, to distract me. For sure, you should visit it very soon, as the quality on offer is really impressive. Savoury and sweet lovers alike will be in for a genuine treat.

Scores

Blythe scores the Sicilian Pastry Shop
4/5 for food
3.5/5 for presentation
3.5/5 for service
3.5/5 for setting
giving an overall 14.5/20

Today’s quester was: Blythe

I ate: lentil soup; ham and mushroom calzone

I drank: nowt

I wore: lilac shirt

Total bill: £2.70