Alpine Pastry Shoppe

Gluten-free sits on the standard flavor list

The wedding cake page lists vanilla, chocolate, marble, red velvet, carrot and funfetti, and then a gluten-free cake alongside them. Placing gluten-free on the main list rather than as a special request is a signal that the bakery makes it regularly. The page does not say if the gluten-free option comes in every flavor, and it does not say if it is baked in a separate space. For a guest with celiac disease, ask the second question.

Buttercream, fondant and gum paste from one counter

Alpine's decorating specialties are buttercream, fondant and gum paste. Gum paste is the medium for sculpted sugar flowers, so a cake with sugar peonies is something this shop does in house. Fillings named on the page include mousse and fresh fruit, and a cannoli filling. Beyond the cake, the shop offers dessert buffet items, listed as cupcakes, cake pops, macarons and pastries, and custom wedding favors, so a couple can source the sweet table and the favor boxes with the cake.

No prices on the page, so book the tasting with questions ready

The wedding cakes page does not publish a price per serving or a starting price, and we found none elsewhere on the site. The shop is at 59 Route 111 in Smithtown and lists Long Island as its service area. Delivery terms are not stated. Bring the guest count, the venue and the tier count to the tasting, and ask for the per-serving figure in writing with fondant and gum paste flowers priced as separate lines.