[Photo: Kathy YL Chan]

This Lemon-Raspberry Cake ($4.50), with cheery yellows, greens and pinks, speaks summer in color. A pretty sight indeed. Whimsical pipes of lightly torched meringue sit over layers of bold and airy pistachio sponge cake alternating with raspberry jelly and lemon cremeux. The latter is the only weak component of this creation—slightly gluey, with a muted lemon flavor. Thank goodness for a "hidden" bottom finish—the last layer of the pistachio sponge is covered in the thinnest brush of chocolate. It comes as the small, sweet surprise, a final dark chocolate crackle to close each bite.

Almondine Bakery

85 Water Street, Brooklyn NY 11201 map)
718-797-5026
almondinebakery.com