Seasons are changing in Princeton, and what better way to celebrate than sampling some sweet desserts? Situated in Palmer Square, Chez Alice has some of the most delicious and prettiest desserts in Princeton. For the first food review this year we decided to taste test this afternoon tea spot in case anyone needs a little encouragement after surviving the first month of school!
First off, the interior of Chez Alice is gorgeous. Styled with a French aesthetic in mind, this artisan bakery is nicely decorated for each season. The display cases are filled with many different colorful treats, and the walls are lined with delicate china and beautiful decor.
The first treat we tried were the macarons. Coming in an array of different flavors, these desserts fit in your palm and have the perfect balance of sweetness and flavor. We taste-tested the strawberry, lemon, and lavender macarons and found the almond shells go nicely with fruity fillings. I personally enjoyed the strawberry buttercream filling as it included strawberry crisps that accentuated the taste. They’re a bit chewy, and on the pricey side, but I’d say they’re good on the occasion.
Next, we tasted the individual pastries. Chez Alice has an assortment of single-slice cakes, and out of the few we tried it was concluded that the Pink Passion was our favorite. Filled with soft raspberry and passion fruit mousse, this cake is surprisingly light and airy. The raspberry-saturated vanilla cake is sweet on its own, and the citrus flavor from the passion fruit gives it a slight tang. In terms of price the individual cakes are also pricey– eight dollars each– but having them once in a while is a worthy investment.
Before leaving we chose from one of their many full cake options with intent on gifting it to a friend. A positive about Chez Alice is its quality cakes that are always made and ready in the store. If you’re in a pinch and don’t have time to bake for someone’s birthday, or forgot to make something for a party, Chez Alice always has pre-made signature cakes available for walk-in purchase. Prices vary, but twelve-inch cakes are usually between $39 and $45.
All in all, we concluded that Chez Alice has some of the best cake slices in Princeton, but they’re best enjoyed on the occasion due to pricing.
