Viva S.
Yelp
Tiny, no-seating bakery, which was bustling--a clear sign that it's a crowd favorite among locals (which is top-tier praise) and tourists.
While waiting in line, we were overwhelmed by all the flavors, but I loved that the cheesecakes were tiny, making it easy to try a couple--especially when sharing with friends! After much deliberation, my friend got the Birthday Cake flavor, and I went for Lemon Raspberry.
For me, the perfect cheesecake needs a crispy base, balanced sweetness with a bit of tartness, and a creamy yet light texture. I also prefer fruity citrusy flavors to balance the creaminess and the otherwise sweetness.
Eileen's almost lived up to the hype! I definitely preferred the Lemon Raspberry over the Birthday Cake flavor. Both cheesecakes had moist, creamy, yet fluffy and light cheese layers. The Birthday Cake one was slightly sweeter with hints of vanilla, while the Lemon Raspberry was bright, citrusy, and had a nice sweetness from the raspberry. The lemon-to-raspberry ratio was a bit off, but otherwise, it was fantastic.
The crust was flaky, crumbly, and added much-needed texture. While I usually wish there was more crust, this time I didn't as much because the cheese layer was the real star of the show. The crust was also so crumbly that adding more might have made it messier to eat.
Priced at around $7, it's definitely on the expensive side, but still worth it. I'd say it's best eaten the day of because I don't think it reheats well, and once refrigerated, it would probably get cold, hard, and lose the texture.