The Dessertery
Holiday pop-up cafe
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
Raleigh, N.C.
Ticketed; through Dec. 23
Sweet aromas waft through the air from a maze of treats. Christmas decorations fill the room as the lights produced a blue hue, and the low hum of a buzzing crowd is heard while holiday music plays in the background.
That’s the experience of arriving at the Dessertery, a pop-up all-you-can-eat dessert café inside the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.
This unique pop-up holiday experience has returned to the City of Oaks for the second year in a row. It’s one of several events designed to draw more visitors to the area during the winter
season.
While this time of year can be stressful, visitors to The Dessertery can live out at least one of our childhood dreams: stuffing our faces with unlimited sugary snacks, and no one to stop us.
When I visited, I went through check-in, then was ushered to a seat along with other guests inside a rehearsal room in the Kennedy Theater. Gold and white colored wreaths, bulbs, and snowflakes hung from the ceiling; and Santa was seen in his sleigh being led by a reindeer. Fake snow and lights were pinned to the walls, and Christmas trees were scattered throughout the space. A flatscreen played holiday movies, an area for pictures, and a replica of The Polar Express circled the room.
Three stations were set up, filled to the brim with cookies, cakes, macaroons, brownies, chocolate mousse, lemon meringue, toffee crunch blondie bars, and petit fours. It was hard to choose where to start and then what to have next.
Workers were on hand serving some desserts and answering questions. The delicious, must-try treats included the Red Velvet cupcakes, which were topped with decadent cream cheese icing.
The gingerbread pudding was a delicious combination of a golden brown crunchy outer layer and a soft, moist center, and a hint of cinnamon. The New York Style Cheesecake with peppermint bark spoke for itself: smooth and rich with a sweet and slightly tangy flavor.
All the desserts were handmade by the Martin Marietta Center’s pastry chef. Gluten-free and vegan options included strawberry cake, flourless chocolate torte, and chocolate cake pudding.
We had only 60 minutes to take all that in. Tickets were sold in hour-long seatings, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. A message aired over the loudspeakers notified guests when it was time to go. Workers then started cleaning up and preparing for the next round of visitors.
To top it all off, a hot cocoa bar sits in the middle of the room, surrounding a tall Christmas tree that serves as the centerpiece to the event. The creamy cocoa was heated at just the right temperature, which could warm your spirit. Guests had their pick of toppings, with more than 100 options available, including the classics like marshmallows and whip cream. But there were some unexpected options for those who are braver with food, like strawberry yogurt raisins, licorice twists, Kit Kats, Swedish Fish, Reece’s Pieces, and gummy worms.
It’s a great way to get a taste of the holiday season and dive into the haven of holiday spirit but come with realistic expectations for how much sugar your stomach can handle since you can’t take anything to go.
The Dessertery is open on select days until Dec. 23 and will feature some appearances from Santa Claus. Tickets start at $28 and can be purchased on online or at the box office.
