Springtime in Eugene is sweet. Scant sunrays make an appearance for hours at a time before Oregon rain prevails; students begin stripping heavy overcoats and galoshes, proudly revealing pasty white feet in thong sandals; and best of all, people resist the winter temptation to hibernate, reveling in outdoor concerts and dining spots. But one business in Eugene does not need the anticipated arrival of spring to sweeten its spirits.
Sweet Life, a traditional patisserie, has given Eugene residents a compelling excuse for dessert indulgences since 1993. Specializing in ornate wedding cakes, smaller cakes for birthdays and celebrations and pounds of desserts, Sweet Life continually wins Best Bakery and Best Sweets in Eugene.
Upon arriving, customers see the large glass showcase that displays intricately designed whole cakes, which sell for about $40. These include Rhapsody, the patisserie’s award-winning chocolate cake topped with raspberry sauce, among many other rich chocolate or “a touch of chocolate” cakes, cheesecakes, cream cakes filled with mousse and various fruits and pies. To the right of these,
individual slices of cakes and pies are available for about $4.50. Chocolate Mousse Cake, Tiramisu and the raspberry and blueberry cheesecakes are generally the most sought-after.
Perhaps some of Sweet Life’s cheesecakes are popular because they are not commonplace in the art of patisserie â?” they lack egg and dairy products. What a rare find in a patisserie: cheesecake without real cheese. The result: a much lighter, flimsy cheesecake, mildly flavored and lacking the rich substance of regular New York style.
Cheesecake represents only one of Sweet Life’s vegan desserts. Surprisingly, Sweet Life’s vegan options, available in cookies, sorbetto and more than half of the cakes on its menu, do not discriminate against nonvegan eaters by tasting only of wheat germ or grains.
The bakers disguise the expected healthy taste, still adding sugar and using only natural quality ingredients.
And no one should miss the gelato and sorbetto station. Loaded with fresh flavors changed daily, Sweet Life’s Italian ice cream sent from Michigan complements all desserts. Roasted Pistachio with chopped nuts and creamy essentials such as chocolate, vanilla and mint chip sit next to Coconut Bliss, vanilla gelato blended with coconut milk and chocolate chips (made by a local Eugene couple). There is also sorbetto, a refreshing, gluten and dairy-free frozen dessert. The mango sorbetto almost completely satisfies a gelato craving – and with far fewer calories!
Regrettably, Sweet Life does not make gelato shakes (it seems that no gelato cafe realizes how amazing one would taste), but employees do make Root Beer Floats and Brownie Sundaes: a brownie topped with choice of gelato, fudge and whipped cream. They also make specialty drinks, including Mexican Cocoa and 15 different choices of Italian sodas.
Walking the length of the counter to the cash register, customers pass dozens of tempting options: tartlets, pastries, scones, cupcakes, six variations of brownies (Rocky Road and Pecan Butter Chip to name a couple), espresso pudding cups and cookies. Sweet Life seems like a dessert oasis, dedicated to an overwhelming impressiveness of patisserie.
The ambiance of Sweet Life is reason enough for a yummy escape. The bright, multi-colored walls painted in lime green and citrus orange are interrupted with framed pictures of colorful cakes and pastries and photographs of patisseries famous in Rome, Paris and the Czech Republic. Open until 11 p.m. every night of the week, Sweet Life’s cozy, positive atmosphere attracts dates and families. People study with their laptops and treats beside them on the wooden tables, and friends laugh over various slices of deliciousness. During late hours, customers sip coffee while they dine in the bustling cafe.
Visit www.sweetlifepatisserie.com for the visual taste and head over to 755 Monroe Street to make summer even sweeter.