Doughnuts at Tastease

Tasteasy Like Every Morning
Tastease, 70 New Park Ave, Hartford
Cost: $4.00 for a baker’s dozen

Happy Summer 2012 Update: Despite the sad update below, they are apparently staying open until they find a buyer. Hooray.

Sad Summer 2012 Update: Tastease is closing June 30, 2012. This has been a sad turn of events for those in the know here in Hartford county, as these mini masterpieces have become sort of a foodie credential. That is, if you don’t know Tastease and if you don’t have at least one cool conversation you’ve had with the owners, none of your local food opinions matter. It’s almost a rule. Anyway, they are closing because a) Tony the owner is past retirement age, b) he couldn’t sell the business (who wants to wake up at 4 AM to create these things and c) the city of Harford has made owning a small business too much of a pain in the butt. You will be missed, Tastease, but not forgotton.

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I shall write this intro with nary a Homer Simpson reference. Wait… Does that count as one? I don’t know, I’m in a sugar coma right now after downing 8 Tastease doughnuts. That’s right, I said eight.

Before you refer me to the nearest cardiologist, bear in mind that Tastease makes “mini-donuts” and something called “midi-doughnuts,” whatever they are. I’m sure they are delicious though.

Just a few “Roadfood’s Best” into my list of 62 foods/meals across the state, I’ve fallen in love with my first one. (Okay, I love Pepe’s Pizza, but they’re 45 minutes away with a 2 hour wait all the time.) Tastease is mere minutes from Damian’s preschool. And while there’s rarely a wait, there’s also the problem of inventory.

You see, locals gobble up the daily batch pretty darn early it appears, judging by my visit. I arrived around 9:15 AM and my options were severely limited from the usual array of 35 or so varieties. Although, I honestly couldn’t imagine picking just 13 (they still give out the true baker’s dozen here) from so many. My options were so limited, I think I took 13 of the remaining 14 flavors!

This tiny hole-in-the-wall joint is on New Park near Park. Sure, you may see some shady characters nearby while picking up the donuts, but so what? The donuts are THAT good. And even if they weren’t, it wouldn’t matter. The owners here (I only met the wife) are ridiculously nice. If anyone ever says that Hartfordites are all mean, send them to Tastease and they’ll change their minds.

And I’m not the only one who thinks this. Checking a few online reviews, the niceness of the owners is foremost on everyone’s mind. Connecticut Metromix says, “An extra-friendly and super-good locally owned donut shop selling adorable, carefully decorated mini donuts in such flavors as pumpkin, cappuccino, chocolate glazed, blueberry frosted, apple streusel with cream cheese frosting, cinnamon sugar dusted coconut cream, lemon cream, double chocolate frosted and peanut butter and jelly with a powdered top.”

New England Day Trips notes, “It is run by a wonderfully friendly husband and wife team.” A Yelper notes, “the woman who owns this place is an absolute dear. Hubby said she could not be any nicer!” Another says, “I’m greeted by just about the nicest shop keeper I have ever encountered in my life.” On and on.

And since my pictures don’t do this place justice, here are a few more.

The owners Tony and Susan in front of a full case of their wares (courtesy of Hartford.com)

Roadfood Review excerpt:

Strangely, they don’t really have one. Just a lot of forum chatter. Their book (from which I’m following the list for these posts) pretty much only notes how wonderfully colorful and creative the donuts are here. Don’t fret, you have me.

CTMQ Experience:

I parked and entered and immediately noticed A) the sparse selection left at 9:15 (This is aparently normal on a weekday), B) How wonderful the owner was to me, and C) they offer not one but TWO local Connecticut soda brands, Hosmer Mountain (CTMQ Visit here) and Avery’s Beverages (review forthcoming). I was digging this place before I even concentrated on why I was there.

I let the baker/owner pick my 13 donuts for me – again, these things are about 2.5 inches in diameter – without telling me the flavors. I figured it would be more exciting that way.

Time was fleeting, but I had to rush home before an appointment in order to give Hoang a taste. Upon seeing the rainbow of doughnuts, her eyes widened and let out an audible gasp. The artistry and care that goes into making these gems is incredible. I can not believe they do this 5 days a week (they’re closed Sundays and Mondays). It’s amazing.

Mmmmm

We ate. The doughnuts are not greasy in the least. They are wonderful – and the smaller size makes eating a ton of them so much easier, both physically and psychologically. We each ate halves of the things, savoring the taste and trying to determine the flavor. Hoang loved the chocolate almond variety. I could eat 20 of the cinnamon ones with the cream cheese frosting. Orange Juice doughnut? Amazing.

We plowed through the box throughout the day, wondering out loud a few times if we should save at least one for Damian. Then we ate two more.

Here you go, buddy!

Before we knew it, we were done the box (such a hearty pizza box it is, too)! Oh sure, devotées will probably be upset I’m drawing such favorable attention to their little secret. Oh well. Take that, Hartford.com…

“They don’t have a website, so you’re just going to have to trust that this tiny Parkville Bakery is one of Hartford’s best and worst kept secrets. Those who have visited once, become fanatical and tell everyone who will listen to them about this unbelievable place they just found. Those who have never been, don’t have any idea that they’re wandering around missing the most perfect little treats.”

That blurb was written by my friend Jordan over at Hartford.com. She’s a huge fan of Tastease (and some other places I’ll be visiting with her) and sent me a couple more pictures for you to salivate over.

How can you deny this place?

CTMQ Eats through Roadfood’s Best of List