I gave instruction not to deliver my Easter present chocolates before April 17th (just before…read moreEastern), but they did ship April 1st for delivery April 3rd. If adding special instructions in the ad hoc place is just useless, this is really disappointing and I don't feel like doing this again.

Amazing good macrons specially the pasion fruit ones…read more Anyhow I am not impressed with the service, I had pre-ordered one week in advance macrons for an event and when I get there my order was not prepared.

Named after Pastry Chef Pascal Dupuy, born French but trained in Norway and part of Oslo's dining…read morescene since 1995, Pascal now consists of several Patisseries and Restaurants including the largest near The Royal Palace. Officially addressed Henrik Ibsens Gate 36, one of the few locations open on Sunday while much of Oslo rests, guests are invited to dine from 12h00 to 17h00 on a collection of Pastries, Salads, Soups, Sandwiches and Desserts. Staffed by friendly servers from take-out to the table, all English fluent with a menu to match, Coffee ranges 49-65 NOK including everything from an honest Espresso to a towering Mocha on Ice. Regarded by Relais Dessert International and Guide des Croqueurs de Chocolat, a range of Truffles lining shelves, Viennoserie is a mixed experience including a good Pan au Chocolate but soggy Almond Croissant while Flan a la Vanille consists of a good Crust surrounding soft Custard with evidence of pure Vanilla Beans throughout. More pricey for Entremet, available to go but plated with Crème Anglaise or Fruit Purees on-site, Pascal's Rhubarb Tart is artful in terms of taste as well as texture while the Feuilletine trends a bit sticky in the Caramel layer which makes cutting without a knife something of a mess. Perhaps best known for homemade Softeis, undeniably produced with top quality Cream and smooth as silk, diners may choose to add a number of toppings with Sea Salt Caramel and crumbled Macarons in a variety of flavors the most popular for good reason.

I believe Pascal Dupuy is Norway's leading pastry chef. At least that was what the poster said…read more Besides, he has four of these cafes in Oslo, so who can argue with success? Even though Pascal serves savory cafe fare, most of the attention seemed focused on their rainbow macaroon display and their visually arresting desserts. What drew our attention was all their photos of their soft-serve which they call Softis. It looked really creamy and they covered it in colorful macaron crumbs and placed one macaroon on top. It would be our choice which one to select. After walking to the Royal Palace from our hotel near the train station, we felt we could justify splitting one as it was only about 63 NOK or about $6.50 in US dollars (photo: https://bit.ly/3PNxVtl). Quite a treat though we weren't allowed to sit in the cafe due, I believe, to COVID restrictions. Jamie W. wanted to return a week later when we were back in Oslo. He wanted his own cup since I pinched the peanut butter macaroon entirely. Sharing is for losers. I think that was what Mister Rogers said. SOFT-SERVE - 4 stars...creamy indulgence and a creative reuse of macarons AMBIANCE - 4 stars...a nice-looking pastry shop close to all the important sights SERVICE - 4 stars...service with a smile TOTAL - 4 stars...who doesn't need a softis? RELATED - Exploring Norway? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3PEL4Fe

Somehow this is the cafe we end up in each time we go to the Gamle Byen in Fredrikstad. I have…read morenever been on the weekend, so I am sure it could get crowded but I haven't been there to experience it. They have good coffee and a variety of milk, cream, sugar and things to put in it. They even have decaf coffee which is always so hard for me to find. Very comfortable and cozy tables. There are a variety of cakes and things, which are a bit sweet but come in sizable portions. I have seen people eating yummy looking salads and sandwiches but haven't tried them myself. (if they realize you are an english speaker, you may have trouble getting them to speak norwegian to you but that is a battle I am often fighting in norway :))

A lovely little cafe situated in Gamlebyen in Fredrikstad. While I have not tried any of their…read moresavory dinner or lunch options I can vouch for their great cakes and their amazing hot chai. The staff are friendly and accommodating. I love to go there and sit by the window and watch people go by. Please note that if you do go here on the weekend it can be hard finding a place to sit, but you can get a coffee or tea to go.

Pastel. De. Nata. Make sure you order the pastry shop's namesake when you visit. Pastel De Nata is…read morea beautiful Portuguese egg tart pastry which is quite nice here - fluffy, sugary but not too sweet, brulee crust. It's made with more delicate touch than most sweets you find in town. The chef is passionate about his pasteis, as I overheard him talking to his souschef about experimenting variations yet finding perfection of the classic version that has stood over 150 years. The cafe is rather small, though not a problem: many customers come and get a pack of sweets to go. There are 5-10 different Portuguese pastries laid out for oohs and aahs of guests. It's nice to be able to get a variety of bite-size treats (4 for a reasonable 100kr) than one big one. I tried the daglunsj, a carrot-coriander soup, and also a tigelada and a coconut-chocolate cake thing. They were nice, but not special enough to make the trip like the pasteis. I'd give 3 for the soup and the other sweets, 4 for the pasteis.

My friend asked me the other day if this place pays for me to do their PR because everytime we pass…read moreby this place, I mention how good their Pastel de Nata's are. Seriously, super good. I got a chai too when I was here, but it wasn't anything to rave about. Slightly expensive of course but oh well.