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Business & Tech

Quest for Rye's Best: Fruit Tarts

Seeking something sweet for summer, I tasted mixed berry tarts from gourmet delis and premiere bakeries on a quest for Rye's best.

Summer is synonymous with outdoor barbeques, picnics, and fresh fruit.  One of the best ways to sample this season's blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries is in a fruit tart.  I tasted mixed berry tarts from gourmet delis and premiere bakeries on a quest for Rye's best.

I expected great things from Rye's elegant gourmet café, Patisserie Salzburg, which featured a decadent fruit tart ($4.25).  Crowning it was a menagerie of fruit: one strawberry, two slices of kiwi, one mango slice, and three large blackberries–all glistening in a sugar glaze.  Though the kiwi and mango were fresh, the tart looked like an exotic fruit cup.  The uncut red strawberry stuck-out of the tart like a sore thumb, and once finally severed, had an unripe white center.  Filling the crumbly shortbread crust was custard that tasted a tad too strongly of egg and lacked any interesting flavor. Though it had an appearance of glitz and glamour, this fruit tart was lackluster after the first bite. 

Big on bread, Le Pain Quotidien also has a suitable selection of tarts and pies.  Plump and succulent raspberries, blueberries, and quartered strawberries decorated the tart ($6.25).  Lightly glazed with a sugary syrup, the berries tasted as though they had just been picked from the vine.  A vanilla-infused custard generously filled the buttery crust and provided the fruit with a supple and sweet throne. Slivers of almonds added a welcomed crunch to the smooth custard and fresh berries. This fruit tart would be the perfect ending to a summer picnic.

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An extensive gourmet deli, June & Ho also caters to the crowd with a sweet tooth by serving pastries and puddings. However, its berry tart ($4.95) left much to be desired. While there was an abundance of raspberries and blackberries, the fruit was shriveled and sour–surely past its expiration date. The berries sagged atop a thin shell with a cake, rather than piecrust consistency. I'd recommend sticking with June & Ho for its savory delicacies and leave the baked goods to Rye's patisserie experts.

The Verdict: With patriotic colors and fresh flavors, Le Pain Quotidien's mixed berry tart is Rye's best and would make the perfect dessert for Memorial Day or summer celebrations.

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