The Little Shops That Could No.5 - Party Cake

The sweet, sugary smell of cakes wafts out the door of this little Capel Street bakery. Husband-and-wife team Michal and Agnieszka Maroszek’s Party Cake (or ‘Polska Cukiernia’ in their native Polish), which moved to this new location from Engine Alley earlier this year, is already gaining a reputation for its wide selection of confectioneries.

Dubliners and Polish alike stream in each day for a slice of their famous Krakow cheesecake. The chocolate éclairs and custard slices are also popular, but many of the Irish customers opt for a taste of the foreign cuisine instead.

A Dub wanders in. “Have you any bread?” he asks, looking for a sliced pan. The staff shake their heads and he saunters back out, disappointed. Moments later, Bread Man appears in the doorway once more – he’s had a change of heart. He eyes up the goodies on offer before settling for a slice of cheesecake. “Better have something Polish I suppose!” he says laughing. “I’ll take three slices.”

In fact, the shop seems more popular with the natives than the newcomers. Businessmen in suits, kids with their mums, grannies out doing the weekly shop – all queue up for a quick coffee and a sticky bun.

“I’m back to savour your cakes!” pipes up one old dear. “They’re absolutely gorgeous!” Meanwhile, another confused but eager-looking patron requests “a greeny thing [points to an apple slice] and a slice of fruit cake.”

If stefanka and bajaderka aren’t your thing, Party Cake also stocks mushroom and cabbage pies, poppy-seed rolls, chocolate cake, cheese Danishes and jam squares. At the back of the shop, a small seating area decorated with tapestries and candles is ideal for a quiet read of the paper or a friendly chat, with the hustle and bustle of Capel Street just about audible in the background.

Party Cake, 158 Capel Street, Dublin 1. 086 396 6920
by Orlaith Magee

Comments

[Aillil]

Awesome cakes - apple and ginger easily the best. In fact, I'm going to take a break from pretending to work right the very second that I finish this post and nip downstairs to sample their wares!

[Neil Brennan]

Lovely cakes and lovely people too.