Pastiche Fine Desserts, Providence

Pastiche Fine Desserts is a long-running bakery known for handmade cakes, tarts and pastries. It began as a small dessert supplier for local restaurants before Eileen Collins and Brandt Heckert opened a shop and café in 1983. The business now operates as a takeout-only bakery, with desserts prepared on site each day.

The fresh fruit tart is its best-known item, combining a butter tart shell, vanilla custard and seasonal fruit. Other regular choices include tiramisu, carrot cake, chocolate mousse cake, key lime pie, cannoli and individual pastry slices. The menu draws on European pastry traditions and familiar American baking, with attention to clear flavors, neat decoration and contrasting textures. Whole cakes and smaller portions allow visitors to buy either a shared dessert or a single treat.

The compact shop has long been part of the neighborhood’s dining culture. Although there is no dine-in service, visitors can order espresso drinks and seasonal beverages with their desserts. Popular items, especially whole fruit tarts, may sell out, so advance ordering is useful for celebrations or planned pickups. Fruit-tart slices are first come, first served and seasonally unavailable.