Sweet Christopher’s

From the Jamaica Plain Gazette Online (
)
«Thanks for supporting Sweet Christopher’s
June 26, 2008
My family and I would like to thank the JP community for its support of Sweet Christopher’s Dessert Café on Centre Street. I had the pleasure of getting to know many of my customers who live or work in the neighborhood on a first name basis. I already miss the many discussions that ran the gamut from politics and sports to life in general. Sweet Christopher’s was also a home to events such as First Thursdays, game nights, book signings and small parties. I enjoyed hosting every one of these neighborhood gatherings and hope to see them continue.
The café’s ownership was transferred on May 30. The new owner’s name is Joe Naczas. Please continue to support him and all the small, independent businesses in JP.
Ben Lem, Jack Allen and Christopher Allen-​Lem
Jamaica Plain»

Just walked by and saw the brown paper over the windows… closed. We will miss Sweet Christopher’s!

I didn’t actually go to this place but I called to inquire if there was wifi available and/​or outlets available. I assume I was talking to the owner because he told me he «doesn’t give internet or free electricity either.» If he’s too stingy to give «free» electricity, why even bother turning on the lights for people? I was going to go there after reading the good reviews on the desserts, but first impressions didn’t bode well. That little bit of electricity and a little bit of courtesy on the phone could have had him another customer.

I was in JP the other day and this place was open and I had parked on the street nearby so I wandered inside. It is TINY but has seating for maybe 10 – 15 at 5 different tables, and there is a small display case that contains mini desserts. There was also 2 types of coffeecake and cookies available. I was not impressed with the look of the cookies, but the coffee cakes looked nice — very big — so I took a piece to go. I tried it the next day and it is good. It is not the best I have ever had. The piece I tried was a sourcream and cinnamon flavor — that had a cinnamon swirl in the center with streusel on top. The cake itself was pretty dense, the cinnamon flavor was a too subtle for me and the streusel topping was limited in flavor and quantity. As I said, it was not the best or worst — just O.K. If you are in the area and want to have a seat and share a big piece of coffee cake and cup of coffee — it is a quaint shop.

We just popped in here after breakfast yesterday to check out the pasty fares, we sort of have a pastry obsession. Dave quickly decided that we would share the peanut butter brownie we saw someone munching on yesterday, it’s fudgyness coating her fingies. DynOmite. Dense and messy perfection.

UNLIMITED COFFEE!!!
The owner of this place is usually the man behind the register, and as soon as you walk in and start drooling in front of/​on his dessert case, he asks if you would like a tour and he describes every dessert in detail. I find this so much better than having to focus my eyes on tiny dessert name cards when they’re already glazed over from sheer rapture.
It’s very important to me to be able to find a dessert and hot cup of coffee after my 5 – 830 pm class ends over in Medford, and after that hourlong ride home on the T to JP, not many places are still open.
Really personal service and welcoming atmosphere.

So, I have heard of drunken Unilocaling, but I think I am writing this from a sugar coma!
I just finished devouring my strawberry shortcake AND mini cheesecake. The whipped fluffy icing on the top of the shortcake was sweet and delicious, so sweet I think I need to brush my teeth! The cheese cake was the perfect texture, moist but solid and melted on your tongue. My friend got the double chocolate mouse and after a taste, I was feeling gluttonous because I instantly wanted that too!
The space is nice inside and the staff is really friendly, if I am in the neighborhood I will for sure be back!
I was informed that they do the chocolate mouse as a triple layer cake, so I might be treking across town for a birthday cake sooner than later!

At $ 2 for a cup of unlimited coffee, free internet to be stolen from elsewhere, hardwood floors, and located along the 39 bus route it’s a great place to hole yourself away and study in peace. The sweets range from yummy tastic to pretty good depending on what time of day you saunter in, but its major perk is the sweet proprietor and the atmosphere of a cozy, tiny coffee shop without linoleum flooring and no screaming children a la JP Licks because their carriages simply don’t fit.

The desserts are standard to above par. The service is AMAZING! WOW! I walked in for an evening tea and dessert. The owner explained the desserts, clearly favoring the chocolates and recommending both varieties of flourless chocolate cakes. He briefly waved at the carrot cake as if to say «there’s something w/​o chocolate if you really like that sort of thing.»
I went with this yummy rasberry/​champagne treat. It was great. I left a little on the plate so I wouldn’t look like a pig, but it was killing me not to lick the plate clean.
Again, I would come back just for the owner’s smile. He is SO personable and friendly, someone that everyone just has to like. He brought out the desserts and drinks. He was close enough to be attentive without hovering. Even 30 minutes after closing time, he wasn’t even beginning to look like he was thinking about trying to start closing up. He just smiled and made pleasant talk with the cashier. It seems like it’d be a great place to work.
Oh, and the place is named after his little 7-​year-​old son.

Completely average fluffy desserts. The only reason it gets 3 stars is the staff is exceptionally friendly.

Forgive me if I have to compare this place to Finale. I never really went to a place specifically for dessert until Finale. And it’s quite tasty, so they definitely set the bar.
OK. Now Sweet Christopher’s. Everything I’ve had is very good. Most of the chocolatey selections are right on par with Finale.
Their selection is definitely weaker, especially if you go later in the day and they’re running low. But in a strange way, I like it better this way. Everything is so yummy and it forces me to try something new almost every time I go. And I haven’t been disappointed yet.
They also charge $ 1 more for everything (about $ 6).
But here’s where Sweet Christopher’s blows Finale out of the water. First off, their fruit tart. Wow, it’s great. Second, is the exceptional service and attitude. Everyone’s very happy to explain everything and make suggestions and they’re just so nice. Talk to Ben for five minutes and you’ll realize why it’s worth that extra $ 1 to be supporting a great, independently owned place like this.
They also sell Jamaica Plain T-​shirts for a lot of money.

I am torn. I want to love Sweet Christopher’s because the owner is so kind and wonderful (we bought 2 «babycakes» and he threw in a corn muffin for free as he was about to close up for the weekend). But they don’t make their own desserts and the sweets are a bit pricey. While beautiful to look at, I don’t think that the taste is on par with the $ 6 they charge for a mini-​cake. For one, there was way too much cream cheese frosting in the carrot cake (about 70% cream to 30% cake), and I think the Boston cream cake was good but a bit too rich/​sugary for my liking. I was also disappointed that they didn’t have cupcakes on the day that I visited. Of course, I guess you can’t expect that they have a full stock late on a Sunday afternoon… Anyway, I think the café is charming (full of family photos and local artwork), which is fabulous and totally worth supporting but I’m worried they may not survive in the neighborhood. I wish them the best of luck and will likely return for a pastry and tea even if they aren’t my go-​to pastry shop.

I used to hate carrot cake. Like as much as I hate broccoli and corn — which is more than anyone will ever understand. Then I went to Sweet Christopher’s with someone and we ordered carrot cake and well, I’m a carrot cake convert.
I curse this place for opening around the corner from me because the owner is way too nice and always gives me extra treats. I sweartogod he’s trying to make JP fat.

Light and sweet rosewater baklava isn’t dripping in honey (which I like just fine when I want to induce a sugar coma).
Delectable treats looked very pretty and I bet taste even better. Can’t wait to try more form this place.