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The Pantry - Brighton, VIC

5/27/2017

Filling: Fresh, creamy, vanilla custard 8/10
Pastry: Dark and crisp, verging on overbaked 8/10
Presentation: Rustic with bruleed top 7/10
Value for money: $5.50 - Beautifully fresh, innovative approach 7.5/10
Overall score: 7.6/10

Boasting three options of vanilla slices in this elegant cake factory I opted for the lesser spotted brulee-topped slice. The burnt brown sugar had a lovely richness to it, but got lost in the overall consumption and was only noticed at the very end. The custard oozed out between the robust and darkly baked layers of fresh, golden pastry. I often criticize under baked , soggy pastry, but this was almost too well baked (if there is such a thing). The custard itself was a wonderful consistency of fresh whipped cream, vanilla and a slight egg thickening agent. All in all a tasty and worthwhile slice at a reasonable price. Perhaps I should have selected the fondant icing version for real comparison.

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Breadtop - Highpoint Shopping Centre, Maribrynong, VIC

5/24/2017

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Filling: Sweet, non-descript pudding mix 3.5/10
Pastry: Buttery, biscuit like slabs 4.5/10
Presentation: Tri-layer, patterned icing and neatly bundled 8/10
Value for money: $4 - Fresh, but far from traditional 5/10
Overall score: 5.25/10

This little number got me over the mid week hump, but unlike its looks it was far from traditional. I was impressed with the attention to detail on the product based upon the huge chain's normal fast and mast mass produced items. The neatly presented mille-feuille slice boasted dark, well defined layers of pastry, a rich, yellow custard and a decorative, glossy icing. Weirdly, the tastes were far from expected. The pastry tasted more like a buttery shortbread biscuit, with a slight crunch, the filling left me confused as to its actual content (other than sugar) and the icing actually didn't taste of anything.

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Hangar Cafe - Chadstone Shopping Centre, Malvern East, VIC

5/13/2017

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Filling: Old but still tasty enough 6.5/10
Pastry: Stale and only suitable for biting 4.5/10
Presentation: Upon closer inspection - tired looking 6/10
Value for money: $5 (estimate) - Overpriced Costco slice, not fresh 3/10
Overall score: 5/10

Sadly I was duped into the purchase of this slice en route back to the car, and only realised it was a Costco slice upon closer inspection. To make matters worse the price of this thing was was over the top and not even fresh. I actually like the Costco slices, but when they are not fresh the whole thing is just as average as the next vanilla slice. Therefore, see the Costco vanilla slice review, minus a few points and make a comment on an average/slightly better than average latte and a decent little logo. Done!

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Lancefield Corner Store - Lancefield, VIC

5/7/2017

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Filling: Velvety whipped cream with vanilla hint 6.5/10
Pastry: Light, crisp, risen puff pastry 7/10
Presentation: Neatly squared and stacked high 8/10
Value for money: $4.30, freshly baked (on a Sunday) 6/10
Overall score: 6.9/10

When passing through the country I always try and stop somewhere for a v.s. Having knocked out Lancefield Bakery some time ago, I had heard a rumour that the general food store sometimes sold a decent effort. Low and behold, on a Sunday no less - a freshly baked specimen. Piled high in between two layers of gently risen puff pastry was mounds of lightly vanilla scented whipped cream that was actually rather nice, but just not a custard. The pastry was delicate, crispy and cut well with a knife. At $4.30 I would argue that the ingredients and execution might make this slightly too expensive, but nevertheless tasty enough and freshly baked on a Sunday is very welcoming.

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The Pantry - Brighton, VIC

Breadtop - Highpoint Shopping Centre, Maribrynong, VIC

Hangar Cafe - Chadstone Shopping Centre, Malvern East, VIC

Lancefield Corner Store - Lancefield, VIC

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