I tried Scotland's best strawberry tart at this new Edinburgh bakery and cafe
There’s a new Edinburgh destination for these classic treats
sh taste of summer is not a Calippo in Princes Street Gardens.
It is, of course, the strawberry tart.
My favourite versions of this treat are probably the ones at Woolies on the Isle of Arran, and the Sicilian Pastry Shop in Leith.
However, now there’s a new contender.
One of Glasgow’s finest food businesses, Eusebi Deli and Restaurant, has landed in the Capital. Lucky us.
You’ll find them - and their luscious strawberry tarts - just inside the entrance of Bonnie & Wild, in the spot that was once occupied by Illy and, before that, Cairngorm Coffee.
They don’t do the pizza, yesterday’s lasagna and savoury treats that you find in their Glasgow branch. Instead, the focus is on coffee and the sweet stuff made in their bakery.
On my visit, there’s a beautiful looking rocher cake, which is topped by a golden Eusebi seal, as well as a huge raspberry and almond sponge, citrus loaf, bakewell tart, heavily-iced slices of carrot cake, pistachio cornetti and pain au chocolat.
Then, those glossy strawberry tarts, with trays of them under the counter.
Just opposite the cakes is a huge sign, which has a three foot high picture of one of these treats, along with the words “Take me home”. I do not need any more convincing.
First thing’s first, these are not cheap. They are, gulp, £9.50, which probably makes them the most expensive strawberry tart in Scotland. However, one would easily serve two people. They are huge and piled high with Perthshire strawberry halves, with a whole fruit balanced hull side down on the top.
The price obviously hasn’t put many customers off. According to the Bonnie & Wild manager, they made 75 of them last Saturday, and sold out.
I could’ve happily eaten mine right there, but I have it boxed up, in a cute container that’s lined with Eusebi’s owner’s family snaps. It comes home with me, on the tram, on my lap like precious cargo, for my 3pm designated cake time. In the end, the countdown proves too much, and it’s tackled at 2.46pm.
As it does feed two, I carefully and slightly sadly cut it in half. It is such a beauty of a thing. So fragrant.
The syrup is suitably sticky and sweet, and leaves me looking as if I’ve freshly applied lipstick. It’s a feat of engineering, since there’s a mountain peak of aerated Mossgiel Farm fresh cream in the centre, with all the strawberries balanced against the milky froth.
The base is a lovely blonde and crispy shortcrust, made from Edinburgh Butter Company wares, and I try not to demolish my portion in a single inhale.
I give the other half to my other half - if that’s not love, then what is? - and he eats it in reverent silence.
This is an expensive, but beautiful treat, and, since we’re nearing the end of peak strawberry season, it’s a way to go out with a bang.
Eusebi owner, Giovanna Eusebi, called it “the sexiest strawberry tart ever,” and I concede.
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