Last week, I set out looking for handmade, artisan chocolatiers in the Finger Lakes for the Great Halloween Birthday Giveaway. What I found was little piece of France right in Ithaca. Sarah’s Patisserie is a sweet little gem tucked away in Cayuga Heights’ Community Corners plaza (view map). Just minutes from Cornell’s campus and a few miles from downtown Ithaca, customers from all over come to Sarah’s Patisserie for their variety handmade fine pasties and chocolates.

A small French Patisserie, Sarah’s Patisserie is fancy without being pretentious. Owners Sarah and Tammy and their small staff are very friendly, and the shop’s decor matches the intricate, artful style of their pastries and chocolate. Chef Tammy Travis is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute in New York, and creates (designs, really) the Patisserie’s delicious, handmade perfections. Folks: The woman has a Degree in Chocolate. Everything out of Tammy’s kitchen is unique, making Sarah’s Patisserie a one-of-a-kind Ithaca experience.

Sarah’s Patisserie is known for classic French delights including fresh croissants, tarts, and a cake by the name of “Sixth Avenue”–a layered masterpiece of chocolate cake, coffee buttercream, hazelnut meringue, chocolate mousse, crème brulee, and chocolate ganache. During my visit, Sarah shared with me a few of items:

Opera Torte

Demisphere – Marzipan, amaretto torte, creme brulee

Assorted Chocolates

Some of the Patisserie’s customer favorites:

Flourless Chocolate Torte (truly a work of art!)

Orange Chocolate Fandango

Chocolate Mint Macaroons

I am so pleased to give my readers and fans a chance to treat yourself to some of what Sarah’s Patisserie has to offer! I am giving away handmade, artisan chocolate for Halloween and it’s easy to enter. There will be 6 winners total, three of them each winning $15 gift certificate to Sarah’s Patisserie. This is not a contest, just a giveway!

Click Here to Enter