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Since closing Fantasia Desserts, Cafe & Catering in downtown Greensboro nearly six years ago, Robert Coates has been busy providing desserts for restaurants such as Giovanni's, Salvino and Lubrano's and working with area caterers, including a stint as a catering chef at UNCG last semester.

"I was ready to get back into it full board," Coates says.

Coates has opened Le Cake Cafe (282-7595; www.lecakecafe.com), 3114-B Battleground Ave. in Greensboro, where he is offering mouth-watering sweets such as layer cakes, pies, cupcakes (Red Velvet, Carrot Cake), miniature cupcakes, cookies and more than 30 varieties of cheesecake including Raspberry Chambord Cheesecake and Tuxedo, a white chocolate cheesecake topped with chocolate mousse over Oreo crust.

"I try to keep the tastes original," Coates says.

Cheesecakes cost $14 to $18 for a small and $34 to $38 for a large.

Coates is also offering his signature Fresh Fruit Lasagna.

"It's like a tiramisu with fresh fruit such as raspberries, blueberries, kiwis and peaches layered with mascarpone cheese," he says.

The fruit lasagna was a hit at Fantasia.

Coates, a California native, has been in food service for more than 30 years, including stints at West Coast venues such as Wolfgang Puck's Spago, the Royal Inn in Monterey and Clint Eastwood's Hog's Breath Inn in Carmel.

"Clint Eastwood was a great guy," Coates says. "I used to cook at his home for parties. I got to meet a lot of celebrities."

In Florida, Coates worked at Cafe Max and the Tuscan grille Maxaluna, from which he gained an appreciation for Italian-inspired cuisine.

But it wasn't until he was with Noble's in High Point about 15 years ago that he became a pastry chef. That led to a home business that grew into Fantasia, which he and his ex-wife, Teresa, opened.

After Fantasia closed, the Coateses carried on with a home-based business called Just Desserts.

Coates still provides desserts to area restaurants.

"I want to bring that same quality to the public," Coates says, adding that he anticipates being able to offer creme brulee and creme caramel to go.

Le Cake Cafe also offers 6-inch layer cakes. Coates says the presentation is the same for a larger cake, but the smaller cakes are perfect for intimate occasions.

Le Cake Cafe, in the space formerly occupied by Delicious, offers hand-dipped Homeland Creamery ice cream in a cone or as a topping for a cheesecake brownie or slice of cake for an impromptu sundae. The shop also offers coffee and espresso drinks and Wi-Fi.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Wine tasting

Kick back for a little wine and jazz after work when Zeto Wine and Cheese Shop (335 Battleground Ave.) in downtown Greensboro holds a wine tasting. Hours are 5:30 to 8 p.m. today. Cost is $15. Call 574-2850.

New wine list

Bert's Seafood Grille (4608 W. Market St., Greensboro; 297-4881) has a new wine list that includes international selections at good value.

By the way, the restaurant is offering half-price wine in bottles and by the glass on Wednesdays.

Student works TV show

You won't see her during a battle of Kansas City barbecue giants in television's Travel Channel's Food Wars, but Burlington resident Sara Moore might be in the credits for the episode.

Moore was among a group of Park University communication arts students who had the opportunity to participate as crew members for the episode.

The episode is scheduled to air at 10 p.m. Sept. 8.

Contact Carl Wilson at 373-7145 or carl.wilson@news-record.com