UPDATE September 2016: Sarah’s Patisserie is permanently closed.
Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and the only better thing to celebrate with than chocolate is local chocolate, of course! This week, we’re highlighting a different Finger Lakes chocolatier each day. Today we’re looking into Sarah’s Patisserie and chef Tammy Travis, who’s whipping up more than just chocolate.
Sarah’s Patisserie
Sarah’s Patisserie is the real deal, offering French-inspired pastries and chocolates created in house by Chef Tammy Travis. Originally trained at the French Culinary institute in New York City, she found her passion working under renowned pastry chef Jaques Torres at his shop in Manhattan. Travis ultimately returned to her hometown of Ithaca and began Sarah’s Patisserie in 2004.
With two locations, Travis has her hands full crafting beautiful decorated chocolates of all shapes and sizes. But Sarah’s isn’t all about chocolate. Being a patisserie, they specialize in both pastries and sweets. The shelves of the patisserie are lined with multiple flavors of macaroons, several fruit tarts and a myriad of cakes. Mixed among classics like Black Forest Cake and Opera Torte, Sarah’s features some inventive cakes for all lovers of sweets. Check out the Passionfruit cake if you aren’t a huge chocolate fan: a passionfruit soaked vanilla cake with passionfruit buttercream frosting. Or if you’re feeling really fancy, dive into the Sixth Avenue: chocolate cake, coffee buttercream, hazelnut meringue, chocolate mouse, creme brûlée and chocolate ganache.
Reading back through our Four Chocolatiers article from Winter 2009, it’s easy to see Travis is a perfectionist and it shows in her work. Each item behind the glass case sits pristinely, ready to be eaten. The perfect treat for those in your life who love chocolate and maybe even those who don’t love chocolate.
130 East Seneca Street at Seneca Place in Ithaca, 607.319.0272, Open every day, 9:00 am to 10:00 pm
