Mrs. London’s Delectable Desserts Set Hearts Aflutter
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Love is in the air at Mrs. London’s Bakery and Café in downtown Saratoga Springs. Between creations such as the Snowy Valentine, Puff Pastry Heart and Apassionata, to name a few, the infamous bakery smells lovelier than usual – if that’s even possible.
Valentine’s Day is synonymous with candlelit dinners for grown-ups or fun, heart-themed parties for kids; but no matter how you celebrate, Feb. 14 marks a day to take time out to enjoy something sweet. While chocolate is often the standard fare for Valentine’s Day, a treat from Mrs. London’s can also win the heart of that special someone.
“The pastries sell themselves,” said Kim Faiola, front of the house manager for Mrs. London’s Bakery. “This treat is above and beyond your typical box of candy or something that has been commercially made or processed or comes off an assembly line. Our desserts are made from scratch, with the best ingredients, and there’s a lot of passion behind it.”
Some of Mrs. London’s Valentine’s Day offerings include: Puff Pastry Heart – puff pastry filled with pastry cream and topped with fresh fruit; Double Berry Charlotte – raspberry and strawberry cream wrapped in lady fingers and topped with fresh berries; Purple Passion – raspberry and chocolate mousse with layered chocolate and almond cake; Apassionata – passion fruit and white chocolate mousse with coconut meringue and almond cake; Chocolate Whiskey Heart- chocolate cake with ground almonds and whiskey-soaked raisins; Snowy Valentine – white chocolate mousse with a raspberry couli and raspberry cream on top of a raspberry macaron shell; Ischler Cookies – an almond cookie with apricot jam dipped in dark chocolate; and Linzer Heart Cookies – a heart-shaped almond hazelnut cookie with raspberry jam.
Mrs. London’s Executive Pastry Chef, Tim Hangarter, is a key ingredient to the bakery’s success. He oversees the day-to-day production of desserts and pastries and his specialty desserts have appeared in The New York Times, Martha Stewart’s Wedding Magazine and Food and Wine.
“I’ve always liked doing it,” said Hangarter. “It’s been my passion…the inspiration comes when you see people happy and enjoying what you’ve made.”
Hangarter says these picture-perfect desserts are truly a team effort; but it’s the use of fresh, quality ingredients that make them stand out.
“We use the best ingredients – the best chocolate, heavy cream, fresh fruit…a lot of stuff that nobody else does,” said Hangarter. “We have a lot of customers from [New York City] that come up just to get stuff to take back to the city.”
These desserts are safe to take back home, too. For those looking to pick up a treat for their sweetheart the day before Valentine’s Day, these treats stay fresh when refrigerated. The bakery accepts pre-orders as well, so customers can call ahead and have their order ready when they arrive. And if you’re undecided on what to get, the Mrs. London’s team is equipped and ready to help you make a selection.
“It tastes even better than it looks,” said Faiola. “I say you won’t find a place like this, this side of France.”
Once Valentine’s Day is over, the team at Mrs. London’s Bakery will begin focusing on Irish Soda Bread for St. Patrick’s Day, as well as other treats for upcoming Easter and Passover holidays.
At Mrs. London’s bakery, customers can dine in and enjoy a bite to eat, take some treats to-go, or make a special order. The bakery is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday.
