In the heart of downtown Royal Oak, there is a storefront called Astoria Pastry. As you walk through the door, you are greeted with a plentiful assortment of smells, flavors, and baked goods. Astoria has been a pillar of the Oakland community since opening its doors in the 1970s. Their odd hours, closing at eleven P.M. on most weekdays, make this spot the perfect place for your late night cravings.
Located off of hectic Main Street, Astoria welcomes its customers with a calming atmosphere. The interior of the store feels homey, with welcoming workers and an inviting display. Both the workers and comfortable setting invites people to sit and stay awhile as they snack on the delectable pastries, ice cream, or drinks. The inside walls are a mixture of a plain white wall and dark, woody cabinets that allow for a cozy feeling. The warm lights of the room contrast with the bright lights highlighting the pastries. The vibe of the store makes you feel snug as a bug and ready to eat.
Astoria has a large variety of sweet treats, ranging from cakes and pies, to baklava and cannoli’s. Of the four things we tried while we were there, the plain cheesecake is something you must try. For only $5.95, this cheesecake is a little slice of heaven in your mouth.
We also tried the carrot cake, the tiramisu and the macarons. The carrot cake was perfectly moist and included shreds of carrot along with a cream cheese icing that was shaped like a carrot, which pulled the cake together.
The tiramisu, which is portioned in a small plastic cup for eating on the go, had a perfect contrast between the bitterness of the coffee and the sweetness of the cream.
The sizable macarons came in many different flavors including lemon, pistachio, Nutella, raspberry and strawberry. Of the flavors we tried, the lemon macaron stood out the most. It had a light and airy outer shell with a flavorful filling which tasted Fruit Loop-esque.
Overall, we think that Astoria Pastry is a place you must try. Come visit their downtown Royal Oak or downtown Detroit location any day of the week at 8 A.M. to 11 P.M. Sunday through Thursday, and 8 A.M. to 12 A.M. Friday and Saturday. There is a vast variety of appetizing treats for any of your cravings: sweet, savory, rich or sour.
