cake dates: once upon a tart;

In which your blogger attempts, at great inconvenience, to sample every commercially-available dessert in the Greater Glasgow area so you don’t have to.

It’s been a stressful week or so at work following the publication of this year’s Autumn Statement and draft Finance Bill, so I was thrilled to discover that I was still due a couple of days’ holiday from work. I’m taking tomorrow and Friday off and have a couple of fun things planned, including the Christmas party for the Herald arts team and an invite to the opening of Mulberry’s new Edinburgh store. However, I mostly just want to spend the day lying on the floor of my massive new living room, eating a box of chocolate fingers and having my cats crawl over me. It’s not something I’m ashamed of.

I’m also tempted to head along to Once Upon a Tart, because the last couple of times I’ve visited I’ve noticed that they offer pancakes and bacon for breakfast. This is my absolute favourite combination of breakfast foods, because it reminds me of the first time I visited New York. I’d spend my days on my own, meeting up with my dad and Margaret again in the evenings, but we’d start out together at this amazing diner and I had pancakes and bacon for breakfast every day. I’ve never eaten it at home, both because it’s a party in one’s arteries and because I want to keep it special. But I think that, tomorrow, I might just deserve it.

Thanks to its convenient location at the east end of Argyll Street, right across from the 13th Note, Once Upon A Tart has become the equivalent of my local since we moved. During those long Saturdays without internet access, I got into a little habit of packing a book once I tidied the house and heading down to read over some cake and a massive pot of tea. The cafe only has one sofa, but its mis-matched collection of tables and chairs are comfortable enough. I love the decor, too – it’s the black and neon pink of Alice’s Adventures in Murderland, with lots of intriguing quirky details.

A perfect day off…

Once Upon a Tart operates as a proper kitchen, but I have to confess that I’ve yet to try their savoury offerings. As is typically the case with this column I am easily distracted by baked goods, and given the staff are keen to display their talents it’s easily done. And what cake! Shortbreads, brownies and cupcakes; various sponges displayed under glass on the counter (including their magnificent take on the humble Victoria Sponge, iced with pink buttercream and sugar crystals) and of course the eponymous tarts. Sarah S and I tried the white and milk chocolate varieties on one visit, with every intention of sharing – we never quite managed it.

While I’d hate to play favourites with the baked goods of Glasgow, it’s fair to say I’m a big fan of Once Upon A Tart. You should be, too.

LOCATION: 45 King Street, Glasgow G1 5RA
OPEN: Mon-Fri, 8am – 5pm; Sat-Sun, 9:30am – 5pm
WEB: Once Upon A Tart