The Tres Leches Experience

The other week I was in a Mexican restaurant called Trece, near Union Square, and I got to talking with one of the waitresses there about cakes. I knew the Tres Leches cake (Spanish for 3 milks cake) was a traditional Spanish cake and was a little disappointed it wasn’t on the menu. To my complete surprise Alejandra offered to make one for me at her home and bring it in the following week. I was taken aback. Who in New York City (or anywhere for that matter) offers to personally bake a cake in their own house for a customer they’ve never met before until today? I don’t know, but I didn’t want to question it either. She explained to me that it wasn’t an easy cake to make, that she had made around 10 before she got it right.  We arranged for me to come back the next Thursday night, where a masterpiece awaited me. Alejandra, you are my hero! I couldn’t have dreamt up a more delicious cake. Alejandra explained how she wanted to put a spin on the original Tres Leches recipe, and she made a chocolate version with strawberry filling. Each bite was made even more delectable with the presence of thickly sliced strawberries. Alejandra, I can’t thank you enough for your kindness and generosity!! This first tasting of Tres Leches has definitely started an obsession.

The extremely talented Alejandra and I

Trece’s head chef & I

Chocolate Tres Leches cake with strawberry filling