As university students, our lives become two things: our studies and endless caffeine. It’s a demanding and draining combination and, being a Queen’s student, I can only take so much Tim Horton’s, CoGro, or Starbucks.
Sometimes I want to take a coffee break instead of a coffee rush to get work done. When that happens, I go to a little cafe downtown: Dessert Indulgence.
Photo by Courtney Lailey
The best food experiences are often when what you’re eating makes you feel like you’re somewhere else. Food’s a form of escapism from the stresses of being a student, and I love this little European style dessert cafe exactly for that sentimental feeling.
Sitting in a light, open historical cafe with high ceilings, sipping on imported coffee, or authentic chai, and enjoying a house-made treat… my stresses seem to drift away, if only for a moment. I can imagine myself at a cafe in Europe, enjoying the day, and savouring my sweet little meal.
Photo by Courtney Lailey
Dessert Indulgence offers French style pastries, cakes, and desserts, along with some international, exotic flavours. It’s honestly a challenge to choose just one thing.
Using local ingredients like Limestone Creamery dairy and eggs from local Ontario farms along with specially selected teas, world famous Nespresso coffee, and imported chocolates and fruit purees from France, this cafe does authentic and delicious right.
Everything’s so beautifully prepared and presented, I almost don’t want to ruin it. Almost.
When I asked what was recommended, I was responded with, “anything. We are very proud of everything we make.” Well, I did just that, I tried a little of everything. And it was fabulous. Head pastry chef and owner Saima Kamran Haque’s passion, experience, and creativity really shines through in the quality and flavours of her baked goods.
Photo by Courtney Lailey
To start it all off, I had an espresso and a mini cardamon shortbread cookie. The espresso was exactly what it should be: rich, bitter, but smooth and sexy. If butter’s your food lube love, the shortbread’s for you. It was so dense and crumbly, yet had a very nice, light spice of cardamon flavour in it to keep you interested and intrigued.
Photo by Courtney Lailey
The coconut macaroon was light, airy, and naturally rich and sweet. The soft texture made this near-cookie a cloud-like delight.
#SpoonTip: Try your hand at it and make your own coconut macaroons.
For a bit of chocolate, because it’s a necessity, I ordered the raspberry-chocolate mousse. Such a good choice. With a thin cake layer on the bottom, a thick layer of moist, decadent, and thick chocolate mousse, topped with a thin layer of chocolate ganache and a perfectly plump raspberry, this little mousse cake was indeed an indulgence.
Photo by Courtney Lailey
My favourite would have to be the almond cake.
Oh my, the amount of moisture, and the subtle nutty flavour, along with the nice crunch from the sliced almonds on top made me stop in awe. It was the most savoury-sweet dessert utopia in my mouth. Oh, just let me keep eating this cake. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a sweets food-gasm.
Photo by Courtney Lailey
Dessert Indulgence is the perfect, little cafe for the coffee break after long hours of essay writing, lab reporting, or midterm studying to just escape from it all and indulge in authentic European style drinks and sweets.