My Intro to Bostock at Ville Velo Bake Shop

In a very unexpected stroke of luck, Dan and I happened upon a tiny little bakery called Ville Velo today during our afternoon walk.  Catching them almost at their closing time, I had just a few minutes to pop in and admire their pastries with a promise to come back another day.  However, what followed was a wonderful act of kindness that's inspired me to keep that promise - and then some.

Atmosphere:
Set in a corner storefront in Prescott Village shopping center on NE Prescott Street and 15th Avenue, Ville Velo is easy to miss but once you spot it, don't pass it up.  The space inside is teeny but quaint, boasting a full counter of delicious sweet and savory goodies and a very friendly staff.  There's a few spots to sit inside and linger or you can take your pastries outside and situate yourself at one of the tables out there (and get an Extracto coffee while you're at it).

Pastries:
Everything looked really interesting and delicious, but one item that was particularly highlighted was something called Bostock.  I've never heard of it, but it's a French delicacy made of day-old brioche bread and tricked up with a few delectable ingredients.  Even though it sounded delightful, I didn't have money with me and was there more for exploration, so I promised to come back and try it another time.

As luck would have it, I noticed the owner of Ville Velo carrying a little plate of that stuff while Dan and I sat outside and automatically assumed it was for me (presumptuous, I know). While this wasn't the case, the nice man came back with another au-gratis piece just for us that totally melted my heart (and generated the impetus for this blog post).

Bostock - As I already hinted, this is a rich, bready dessert that's layered with frangipane (almond filling), orange rind and sliced almonds to boot.  Each bite is a buttery delight and tastes almost bruleed.  Served slightly warm, it's an excellent treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee and a perfect thing to share with a partner, which is exactly what Dan and I did.

Service and Cost:
It's all things excellent in this department, as the folks here are generous, sweet and really gifted at what they do.  I had a peek at the prices while I was in there and they look really reasonable.  Needless to say, I'll be back for more goodies, and I hope you will too.

3 Mmmms

Ville Velo Bake Shop - 1465D NE Prescott Street, Portland OR 97211
503.915.2565

Trying Rose & Joe's Sicilian Pizza

Loving to visit Rose & Joe's Bakery for their breads and sweet things, I'm not too proud to admit that I've never yet tried their pizza.  Very well known in foodie circles in Astoria, this pizza's reputation precedes itself in that it's supposed to be really classic and top notch.  As I found myself near Ditmars on Saturday, I decided to stop in and try it.

Rose & Joe's Sicilian Pizza - For those of you not familiar with the layout of Rose & Joe's Bakery, the pizza counter is situated all the way in the back.  I like that the pies are made fresh and you can even get a sneak peek of the large industrial sized ovens they use in the back of the space.

I chose the spinach Sicilian slice that you see above, but they have a lot of others you can choose from.  The crust was super thin, crunchy and the spinach was also a little crispy on the edges.  I like the homemade tomato sauce, which wasn't too sharp and acidy and overall created nice flavor balance.  The temperature of the pizza was the only thing I didn't love, as it wasn't hot enough.  I think the flavors would've shined that much more if it was a few degrees warmer and in retrospect, I should've asked them to heat it up longer.

Service and Cost:
Since this is still a somewhat undiscovered feature of the bakery (only true locals know about it), I got in and out of there in about 10 minutes.  Eating my pizza in the shop at the front counter was nice, as I got to watch the busy goings-on of 31st street while I devoured.

Costs are wallet friendly at just $3.25 per slice.

2.5 Mmmms

Rose and Joe's Italian Bakery - 22-40 31st Street, Astoria NY 11105

718.721.9422

N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop) 

Astor Bakeshop's Seasonally Delicious Brunch

After a fun and informative tour of the Welling Court Mural Project, as part of Open House New York Weekend, Dan and I headed over to to Astor Bake Shop for some brunch.  We haven't been in quite a while and were looking forward to their wholesome dishes, which haven't yet disappointed and today was no different.

Open Faced Omelette - Topped with seasonally delicious ingredients such as cauliflower and eggplant, the open faced omelette was a vegetarian's dream.  Even though Dan is far from being a veggie, he loved this dish and commented on how fresh and flavorful it was.  I had the pleasure to taste it as well and especially loved the cauliflower, which was cooked al dente.  As you can see, the dish also came with a side of hash browns and salad, which made it a complete meal.

Tomato and Egg Skillet - I was quickly sold on this dish after reading its description on the menu and noticed two of my favorite ingredients - tomatoes and avocado.  Ultimately, it was really simple but made of high quality ingredients such as fresh eggs, bright, locally sourced veggies and a freshly crisped tortilla.  While the eggs were a bit overcooked for my liking, the roasted veggies in the skillet made up for it and created a beautiful balance of flavors.

Carrot, Cucumber and Ginger Juice - Even though I was all set on coffee, I noticed a few fresh fruit juice options, which took my interest. I ordered this one and loved its bright orange color and vibrant flavor, which wasn't at all enhanced with sugar, and for this I was grateful.  The ginger was subtle but you can still taste it after each delicious sip.

Service and Cost:
Unlike some of the other times that I visited Astor Bake Shop, the service now was totally on point.  We didn't wait long for anything and felt very well taken care of, noticing that everyone else was also experiencing good service.

Costs are reasonable, especially given the high quality of food and service and set us back about $15 each including tax and tip.

3 Mmmms

Astor Bake Shop - 12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria NY 11102
N/Q Train to Astoria Blvd

718.606.8439

astor-bakeshop.com

Omonia's Sweets Explosion

Image via Yelp by A.A

It's been way too long since I've visited Omonia Cafe, which is no doubt one of the most quintessential Greek cafes in the neighborhood.  And while Omonia may carry with it many Astoria-centric stereotypes that we often try to shake, it remains a special place for me, reminding me of my early days here.  Dan and I finally went back the other eve, for a late night snack, together with our friends Nuno and Jennifer.  We tried a few new things,  which left us feeling pleasantly full (and plump).

Chocolate Napoleon - Being that I'm Eastern European, I love me some Napoleon (or Kremes, as we say).  Omonia's version more than delivered with a light as air filling of smooth chocolate cream that was carefully placed in between crunchy layers of filo dough, topped with whipped cream and more powdered sugar for good measure.  Although I couldn't take a photo of our piece because the place is famously dark, I think the above photo helps to paint a picture.

Walnut Cookie - Because I was trying to keep to my gluten free diet, I managed to find something without any pastry dough (but truth be told, I cheated that night, as proven by my Napoleon escapades), which came in the form of a walnut cookie.  Resembling a macaron in appearance and texture, the cookie was light and airy, hugging the sweet contents of a seedy raspberry jam, producing some serious yum action.

Service and Cost:
We experienced fast and efficient service during the time we ordered and when our sweets were delivered to our table.  Even after we finished everything, we felt comfortable to just hang out and were by no means rushed to leave.

Pastry prices remain competitive, especially when dining in-house at $4.75 - $7 a piece.

3 Mmmms

Omonia Cafe - 32-20 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106

718.274.6650

N/W Train to Broadway
omoniacafe.com

Dominique Ansel's Frozen S'mores Seal the Deal

Apart from the cronut, I didn't think it could get much better this summer as far as my sweet adventures were concerned.  But it did, as Andrea and Taylor, my sweet accomplices took me to Dominique Ansel one day during lunch last week to taste his latest creation - the frozen s'more.  

Not knowing if we can actually get our hands on one of these, we took a chance and as soon as we walked in, we asked the nice folks behind the counter "are we late? Did they sell out?"  "Yes," the young woman said, "the cronuts are all gone."  We smiled to ourselves, as we were no amateurs and quickly clarified what we were talking about.  "No no, you're in luck -we still have the frozen s'mores," she said.  Score!

Frozen S'mores - Keeping these babies tucked away from plain sight, you have to know to ask for them.  The best part is that they make them for you on the spot, torching the marshmallow and browning it before your eyes.  I loved this approach, as it really gets you involved in the whole process, and you almost feel a sense of accomplishment when you get handed that beautifully toasted treat.

The inside is quite magical, as it's completely filled with exquisite vanilla bean ice cream that's further coated in chocolate and a graham/gingerbread cookie.  It's definitely an innovative take on the s'more, which still lets the marshmallow shine as its star ingredient.  My accomplices devoured it with gusto, and even though we shared two, we could've polished off our own pretty easily.

If you'd like a closer look on the entire frozen s'more making process, have a look at this video that I took at the store.



Also, as you can tell, I've recently had the pleasure of meeting the master of these creations, Mr. Dominique Ansel.  My dad offered the sweet hookup one day after we hit up the Union Square Farmer's Market.  Dominique was not only gracious and friendly, he was truly a testament to the sweet genius he brings to New Yorkers each day.  This guy is the real deal and I can't wait to experience what he thinks up next.  Now all I gotta do is wash those sticky fingers.

Service and Cost:
The frozen s'mores are one hot item.  At $7/pop, they will rob you blind but at the same time leave you with a permanent smile on your face for the day.  Arrive between 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. to get your dose.

Dominique Ansel Bakery - 189 Spring Street, New York NY 10012
212.219.2773
E/C Train to Spring Street
dominiqueansel.com

Astor Bake Shop's 3rd Annual Pie Eating Contest

Can you believe that Astor Bake Shop is turning 3 years old? To me it seems like they've been a staple in the neighborhood forever.  Their treats are among the best in terms of quality ingredients and also quite beautiful in aesthetics.

To celebrate their little milestone, Astor Bake Shop will be hosting another pie eating contest this year, which promises to be a lot of fun.  I mean, who wouldn't want to eat their delicious pies and potentially get rewarded too?  There's a few ground rules to know about, but overall it'll be a race to the sweet finish line.  Wussies..stay home!

3rd Annual Astor Bake Shop Pie Eating Contest
Sunday, June 30th at 2:30 p.m.

It's free to sign up and contestants will compete in three categories.  The first person to finish their pie in its entirety wins - no assistance from utensils or your hands allowed.

Sign up for this event here, and good luck!

Astor Bake Shop - 12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria NY 11102
N/Q Train to Astoria Blvd

718.606.8439

www.astor-bakeshop.com 

The Cupcake Bar Mixes a Mean Red Velvet

Image by The Cupcake Bar

Another local specialty I had while in North Carolina this week were some mighty delicious cupcakes.  I was disappointed that my phone ran out of juice while enjoying a beautiful red velvet cupcake, and so I had to use the bakery's photo above of a similar looking treat (just picture the red dough instead).

I found these cupcakes at a neat little bakery in Downtown Durham called The Cupcake Bar.  The concept is a really great one, which is based on ingredients that form a cocktail, only in cupcake form.  Their logo is really lovely too - a silhouette of a cupcake with a stirrer poking out of the frosting.

Atmosphere:
Situated in a perfect corner spot on East Chapel Hill Street, The Cupcake Bar is hard to miss.  I love the bright orange exterior, which right away piqued my interest and the simple, chic interior that certainly evoked a bar-like vibe.

When I walked in on a Wednesday evening, it was pretty chill and seemed like a good place to sit down, relax and even possibly do some work (they have wifi).  Several folks came in throughout my visit, and seemed to be placing larger orders, showing me that this is a popular place to come when hosting events or children's birthday parties.

Cupcakes:
Even though there were a lot of interesting options to choose from, I went really classic with a Red Velvet cupcake.  After all, how could I not have one of these when in the South?

Red Velvet - I ordered the mini version, which was just the right size for me.  Boasting a really moist interior, it created the most heavenly bite.  The frosting was fluffy, a little tangy from the cream cheese and not too sweet.  My favorite part though was the gorgeously large pecan that stuck out of the frosting, just waiting to be devoured.  All of these ingredients created a beautiful medley of flavors that conjured up memories of childhood and down-home comfort.

Service and Cost:
The staff was nice , but not as overly hospitable as in some other establishments I encountered in Durham. Maybe they were tired and ready to go home? I don't know...but this wouldn't deter me from going in again.

Costs are comparable to any good trendy bakery in NYC and include $1.50 for the mini cupcakes and $3 for the full size.

The Cupcake Bar - 101 East Chapel Hill Street, Durham NC 27701
919.816.2905
www.cupcakebarbakery.com 

Yummy Specials at Astor Bake Shop

Image by Astor Bake Shop

Image by Astor Bake Shop

Always intrigued by what Astor Bake Shop has going on, I've recently also told you about their savory offering.  Dan and I enjoyed their classic Astor burger, and the French Onion soup was delicious too, that now I'm always keeping an eye on their menu and social media to see what specials they've got going on.  

This weekend's Facebook posts got me excited, as I spotted a healthy looking quinoa salad and a crunchy on the outside, and gooey on the inside Cubano sandwich.  The former boasts tons of earthy ingredients such as kalamata olives, cubes of feta, cucumber, cherry tomato, all dressed with a light scallion vinaigrette.  It sounds like a yummy side dish but can also substitute for a light main course for lunch.  

The Cubano on the other hand is total indulgence, with fresh roast pork, black forest ham, melty Swiss cheese and some sharp Dijon mustard to give it some kick.  It looks quite large and can be a nice thing to share with someone else, together with the quinoa salad too.  

Ok...now I'm totally salivating.

Astor Bake Shop - 12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria NY 11102
N/Q Train to Astoria Blvd

718.606.8439

www.astor-bakeshop.com 

Introducing Sweet Amanda Leigh

You never know who you're going to meet, as this theory truly came into play when I met with Marc, one of my co-workers about something completely non-food related.  We got to chatting about our interests and I found out he's related to the talented Sweet Amanda Leigh of Astoria.  "How amazing and what a small world!," I thought, as I couldn't believe there was an Astoria connection between us.  

In no time, Marc connected me to Amanda and off we went, exploring our common likes for sweet treats.  I was so intrigued that we set up a little tasting at Mackenzi's SITE, and Amanda gave us each a generous box of her signature treats.  But before I get into some of my faves, here's a little bit of info about Sweet Amanda Leigh.

About Sweet Amanda Leigh
Specializing in custom cakes, Amanda is known for some pretty amazing designs, which span from whimsy, kid oriented themes to romantic wedding cakes.  I love that everything is made from scratch and Amanda uses premium quality ingredients, which really shine in her sweet goodies.  

Amanda's background lies in art & design, hence her creative touch to each confection, but her baking expertise comes from NY's ICE Culinary.  Needless to say, this talented lady is legit and she's even worked with the amazing, George McKirdy of Astor Bake Shop.  Her attention to detail and professionalism shines in every treat from a full blown cake to the smallest cookie.

Sweet Treats
Besides her signature cakes, Amanda also excels in baking cookies, cupcakes, brownies and everything in between.  I was happy to see that our box of samples included a few different things.  While I was pretty much in love with it all, here are a few things that were total home runs.

Lavender lemon cookie - An elegant, sophisticated treat, this cookie was not only surprising for the senses, it was also really light.  Boasting the most amazing buttery, crumbly texture, each bite was the perfect combination of earthy and zesty.  The lavender was apparent but not overbearing, whereas the lemon presented a beautifully clean flavor.  I can see enjoying this with a piping hot cup of herbal tea.

Rainbow cookie - Everyone has a soft spot for a good old fashioned rainbow cookie, and this one totally ruled.  I appreciated its soft colors, which indicated to me that Amanda went light on food coloring (a good sign).  The binder for its three signature layers tasted of apricot jam, which was amazing, while the cake itself was nice and almondy.

Classic vanilla cupcake - Even though there were fancier things in the box than this, simplicity is always appreciated in my book.  The vanilla dough was flavorful and had a lovely, moist texture, while the frosting was absolutely delectable.   Made with semi-sweet chocolate, it wasn't too overpowering and did a great job at dressing the cupcake instead of stealing the show.

To further explore Amanda's delicious treats, check out her site, and let her know who sent you.

Neapolitan Lasagna at Astor Bake Shop

Recently discovering the amazing savory offering at Astor Bake Shop, I was excited to hear that they’re now serving some good ol’ fashioned Italian staples such as eggplant parm and lasagna. The latter especially caught my eye on their Instagram feed, as it looked cheesy, well browned on top and saucy in the middle. They’re calling it their Neapolitan style lasagna and it’s available all this weekend. Sounds like a perfect thing to try on a Sunday afternoon or evening – reminds me of a traditional Italian style dinner. And frankly, who doesn’t love that?!

Astor Bake Shop - 12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria NY 11102
N/Q Train to Astoria Blvd

718.606.8439

www.astor-bakeshop.com

Astor Bake Shop's Burger...At Last, My Love Has Come Along

Since we both had a day off today, Dan and I were excited to spend some qt together over brunch and going to MOMI.  Brunch was first of course, and we originally planned on going to check out Sanford's, as I've heard that since its revamp, it's stepped up quite a bit.  To our chagrin (and I guess a testament to its excellence), it was totally crowded with a 40 minute wait for a 2 person table.  That, unfortunately wasn't going to cut it, so we headed out to check out an alternative by Dan's request - the Astor Bake Shop.

While I've been here on many occasions, I haven't actually sat down to a proper meal, and also hadn't had the pleasure of indulging in their legendary burger.  It was time.

Food:
We knew why we came, and right away zeroed in on the burgers.  I had my eye on the signature Astor burger, dressed with a special sauce, while Dan went for the classic burger with bacon.  We got some other goodies you see here along the way, and wanted to give you the scoop about each one:

French Onion Soup - Dan ordered this as an app, and it was awesome.  Not only did it look gorgeous, it tasted great too, with an earthy oniony broth that wasn't at all heavy and two pieces of crusty peasant bread submerged into it.  Topped with some melty gruyere, there was certainly an element of decadence (as there should be), but I was happy to see that the chef didn't overdo it.

The Burgers - This was of course the piece-de-resistance of our meal, and both burgers were absolutely stupendous.  I know it may sound lame to say, but my favorite aspect was the fluffy, buttery bun that was just a pleasure to grab on to and that hugged all the substantial ingredients inside the burger.  But don't get me wrong...it's not only about the bread, the meat patty was beautifully cooked and so, so juicy.  I liked that it was seasoned well but kept relatively simple, and nothing about it was over the top.  Something else I appreciated was the zesty little side salad that came with it, as opposed to fries, which always unnecessarily fill me up.

Dessert - How can we not get dessert here?! The display case was simply taunting us - especially those stunning lemon meringue pies.  We got one, naturally, and dug into the crunchy, buttery dough, the tart-yet-still-a-little-sweet lemon curd and the sticky, well done meringue.  It was the perfect size and gave just enough of that little sweet kick we were craving after the burger.

Service and Cost:
While the service was pretty good, I'd recommend a little more of it, especially on a busy day like today.  Although we didn't feel like we had to wait too long for anything, it was sometimes hard to catch our waiter's attention, as he juggled his time between the desserts counter as well as serving tables.

Costs are wallet friendly and set us back about $48 total with tax and tip.  Dan also got a bottle of Prohibition ale, fyi.

3 Mmmms

Astor Bake Shop - 12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria NY 11102
N/Q Train to Astoria Blvd

718.606.8439

www.astor-bakeshop.com 

A Late After-Dinner Snack at Gian Piero's

I'm happy to say that part of this past weekend included eating great food and hanging with good friends.  Spending Sunday night dinner at Mombar, Dan and I along with friends, Chris and Joanna enjoyed a lovely Egyptian meal, only to continue shortly after at Gian Piero's bakery for a little sweet snack.  The truth was that Joanna was looking for good bread and I craved to show her the Pane di Casa at this awesome Italian bakery.  But who was I kidding? We came by way too late, only to see that the best of the best was sadly picked over.  No matter...we dug into the dessert they still had, including the following:

Italian Cheesecake with Ricotta Cheese - While American style cheesecake is often very heavy and leaves you feeling super full, the Italian version is totally different, as it's made with ricotta cheese instead of traditional cream cheese.  I adored Gian Piero's version, which was really moist and airy and had a nice, slightly browned crust, which held the cheese together quite well.  Each bite was pure decadence, but again not in a totally gluttonous way.  I tasted some nice, fresh flavors of lemon zest too, which added to its authenticity and overall deliciousness.

Chocolate Mousse Cake - Dan ordered this beautifully colorful cake, which had the piece-de-resistance rainbow cookie on top, which he adores so much.  Although it looked quite pretty, I had the chance to taste it and wasn't impressed.  Unlike a good mousse, this one wasn't too light and felt a bit too buttery.  The chocolate flavor was quite nice and pronounced but overall, it wasn't a smooth dessert and I felt that it failed on execution.

Service and Cost:
As usual, the staff here are friendly and do a nice job of helping you right away.  They were apologetic about a few key items like the bread and cannolis being sold out, but they accommodated us with other goodies.

Costs are really affordable and for 3 treats, including the two I mentioned above as well as a rum torte, we paid a total of $6.75.

2.5 Mmmms

Gian & Piero Bakery - 44-17 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.274.8959
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue

Love is in the Air at Astor Bake Shop

Image by Astor Bake Shop

With V-Day so soon approaching, I wanted to start talking about some of the delectable things Astorian restaurants and sweet shops have in their plans.  Aside from the usual standbys, I spotted this sweet deal at one of my favorite bakeries in town - the Astor Bake Shop, and didn't want to forget to mention it.  

The reason I love this place is that it's a cozy, wonderful spot that's set apart from all the hubbub of Astoria.  If you're in the mood for something really laid back and friendly, I urge you to check it out, especially for Valentine's Day.  Not only does the menu sound amazing, it's really affordable.  Not yet convinced? Just take a look...

Valentine's Day Menu (comes with a glass of champagne)

Starter (choose 1)
Saffron arancini with manchego cheese
Crab asparagus soup

Entree (choose 1)
Steelhead Trout - In white wine sauce, and served with sauteed vegetables
Pork Medallion - With parsnip-potato puree and sauteed spinach
Pan Seared Polenta - With cauliflower ragout and herb roasted tomatoes

Dessert (the best part!)
Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Torte - With raspberry coulis and fresh cream
Blood Orange Mousse - With a coconut biscuit and pistachio nougatine
Red Velvet Crepe - With mascarpone cream and chocolate sauce

$23.95/person

Astor Bake Shop - 12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria NY 11102
718.606.8439
N/Q Train to Astoria Blvd
www.astor-bakeshop.com

Sweet Melissa Patisserie - Oh How Sweet and Sinful...

Sweet Melissa Patisserie - 175 7th Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11215
718.788.2700
Q/B Train to 7th Avenue

www.sweetmelissapatisserie.com

My brother and his girlfriend recently made the move to Park Slope, Brooklyn and I couldn't be happier.  Not only am I excited about their new, quaint apartment, I'm also selfishly happy to sample the amazing restaurants, cafes and bakeries in their vicinity (and take my word for it...there are many).

While helping my brother unpack last week, my mom and I took a walk down the busy 7th Avenue only to discover an awesome bakery called Sweet Melissa. The minute I saw its endearing storefront, I recognized the name, as this place is well known amongst serious dessert heads (me being one of them).

Atmosphere:
I love French country bakeries, not only for their amazingly decadent goodies but also for the rustic and charming ambiance, which has a way of making me feel comfortable.

Although the actual space inside is quite small, it feels very quaint and lived in.  The front has a counter with a pretty sweets display, which includes all their baked goods including beautiful tiered cakes.  And the back offers a sit-down area, where you can sip your coffee and eat your cake on simple but pretty white plates.

Sweets:
During our visit, my mom got herself a strong coffee, which she really enjoyed and we treated my brother and his girlfriend to the Caramel Apple Bread Pudding, served with a side of rum raisin sauce.  Unfortunately I didn't have the pleasure of tasting it because we had a huge lunch that day and I just couldn't fit more in my tummy, but I'll take Peter and Fiana's word for it that it was "unbelievably good."

But aside from my visit last week, this weekend I was lucky enough to actually enjoy Sweet Melissa's goodies, as Peter and Fiana brought over a large box of their Chocolate Peanut Butter Indulgence (pictured above).

Well what can I say...if you read my blog on a regular basis, you'll know that initially, the sound of this dessert probably didn't impress me.  Loaded with peanut butter, which I don't care for, I couldn't understand why they chose this as the filling to these gorgeous cookies.  But...I naturally couldn't refuse a chocolate anything (despite the peanut butter) and dug right in.  Oh, oh, oh my, how good it was!  The cookie, dusted with confectioner's sugar was soft, chewy and ultra chocolatey.  But what enhanced it even more was the light-as-air, delicate peanut butter mousse inside.  That's right...even for a peanut butter hater like me, I thought it was absolutely delicious.  The peanut flavor was soft and gentle, not in-your-face aggressive and thick, which I find to be the case with peanuty desserts.  And even though I was full from a delicious meal that we just had together, I made room for this gargantuan yet unforgettable dessert. 

Service and Cost:
The easy-going, pleasant servers at Sweet Melissa match its vibe perfectly.  They're a bit boho-chic, which isn't a bad thing, fitting in with the overall Park Slopeishness of the nabe.

Prices are steep but so worth every penny:

Pie by the slice....$6
Coffee...$3.50 - $4.50
Cookies....$2 - $5 each

They also serve brunch, lunch and afternoon tea on a daily basis.

3 Peanuty Mmmms

Terrizzi Pasticceria - The King of Gelato

After a second trip to BareBurger last night, Crystal and I paid a visit to Terrizzi Pasticceria for a sweet finish. I was in the mood for gelato and heard that it was quite excellent here. After we walked in, gelato wasn't the only thing on our minds, as we admired Terrizzi's sweet offering of gooey cupcakes, chocolate fudge mice, mini-pastries, cookies, cakes and so much more.

Despite the temptation of enticing treats, we stuck to our original plan--getting frozen desserts. I ordered a hazelnut gelato and Crystal opted for the chocolate ices. Both were scrumptious, refreshing, and tasted uncompromisingly homemade. The hazelnut gelato was not only creamy and decadent, it also contained crunchy pieces of hazelnuts, which made it more authentic and slightly rustic. It bothers me when gelato tastes artificial, but this one had no traces of unnatural flavors.

The ices was also good and quite refreshing on a hot, 90 degree day such as yesterday. Although it wasn't creamy like the gelato, it still contained a good deal of flavor and nice consistency. Crystal was quite happy with it, and judging by her empty cup, I'd say that she'd get it again in the future.

Cost:
Although some of these goodies come at a premium, they are 100% worth it. A small cup of gelato set me back $4 and a medium cup of ices cost Crystal a mere $1.50. Needless to say, the ices was a better value but the gelato was definitely more flavorful. I'd recommend both - as well as any of their other frozen flavors such as pineapple, stacciatella, pistachio, chocolate, blueberry, raspberry and much more.

Terrizzi Pasticceria – 35-14 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103
718.726.9698
N/W Train to 30th Avenue

Gian Piero Bakery - Making Astoria That Much Sweeter!

Gian & Piero Bakery - 44-17 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.274.8959
N/W Train to 30th Avenue

After our evening at DiWine, we wanted to finish with something sweet so we headed over to the famous Gian & Piero Bakery on 30th Avenue--an Astoria staple for 14 years. Known for traditional Italian pastries and strong espresso, we were ready to satisfy our sweet tooth.

Atmosphere:
In terms of decor, Gian & Piero's is no frills, very simple. The pastries are the main attraction, and despite the plain furnishings, there's always a crowd to be found--especially outside where they have a couple of benches set up. From young people to Italian nonnas, Gian & Piero's seems to be a popular gathering spot for exchanging the latest news or maybe even neighborhood gossip.

Pastries:
We immediately set our sights on the cannolis as well as the carrot cake. Meg told us that she heard the latter was great so naturally, our curiosity got the better of us.

Cannolis - It's nice that in addition to traditional sized cannolis, they also carry minis. Meg and I chose these in two variations--I got the chocolate dipped while Meg ordered the traditional. Although I didn't try Meg's, mine was absolutely delicious. The crust was crunchy and buttery and the cannoli cream was the best part--luxuriously thick with a hint of vanilla extract. The small size was just perfect to satisfy our craving.

Carrot Cake - Martha's carrot cake looked gorgeous, with colorful buttercream (not cream cheese) sprinkled with walnuts. We all shared it, as the slice was large and we loved its sweet-spicy flavor. Boasting nice texture, the cake was perfectly moist with yummy carrot shavings, raisins and an infusion of cinnamon. I could've eaten it all myself but that would've been gluttonous--and embarrasing.

Espresso - Martha also got a shot of Gian Piero's legendary espresso, which I didn't try but I trust her when she said that it was "awesome," and really strong.

Service and Cost:
The servers here are very old school, and they get things done. You might not be greeted with a smile but know that you'll be taken care of very well. I think they take their jobs seriously.

Gian Piero's sweets are by no means bank breaking. For three desserts (2 minis) and a shot of espresso, we paid $5.20 total! Watch out Magnolia, you aint got nothin' on this pasticceria.

3 Mmmms

Artopolis - A Gem I'm Proud to Call Astorian

Artopolis - 23-18 31st Street, Astoria NY 11105

718.728.8484

N/W Train to Astoria Blvd or Ditmars Blvd

www.artopolis.net

Artopolis is a beautiful Greek bakery that's hidden in a shopping center called Agora Plaza. But don't be fooled by its unassuming appearance because Artopolis is the place for authentic and delicious Greek treats.

Although I've been to Artopolis before, it wasn't a proper visit because I didn't buy anything. This past weekend however, I stocked up on plenty of Greek cookies and baklava for my friend Ivona's Hanukkah party. Greek for Hanukkah? Why not?!

The Experience:

As soon as I walked in, I was confronted by a barrage of sweets in every corner of the spacious room. I enjoyed walking around all the desserts, doing a full circle and taking it all in. After a few minutes, I was approached by a young associate who asked if she could help me. She was nice but not overly sweet and focused entirely on the task at hand--getting me a box full of Greek cookies.

I chose an assortment of everything - cherry filled turnovers, date cookies, two types of butter cookies including the well-known kourabiedes and four types of baklava--chocolate, coconut, traditional and pistachio.

After everything was chosen, the Artopolis associate wrapped my goods in boxes and dressed them with festive, colorful ribbons. It all looked great and was a perfect thing to bring over for my friend's Hanukkah party. In the event that you wouldn't have time to pick out your sweets, Artopolis has plenty of beautifully wrapped gift baskets and plates that are ready to grab. They can get expensive, averaging at about $50, but they're definitely special.

In addition to the cookies, I also got a cup of fresh cappuccino. It was lovely and the coffee they use is Illy, which is delightful. There was plenty of fluffy foam on top and the cinnamon that they sprinkled on it was exquisite. Like the cookies, it was on the expensive side at $3.25 for a small cup, but again, it was worth it.

I'd strongly suggest this place if you're looking for dessert that's authentic and unique.

Say Hello to the New Terrizzi Pasticceria

I recently noticed that Terrizzi Pasticceria on 30th Avenue has been shut down. I couldn't understand why because it seemed like such a staple of the community, being in operation for almost 45 years.

Digging a bit deeper, using my clandestine investigative skills (aka calling Terrizzi,) I found out that the pastry shop isn't closing at all. Instead, they're reopening under their original management in about a week to a week and a half. How interesting! The nice man on the phone hinted that good changes will be coming, including exciting new menu items.

Look out for the new Terrizzi Pasticceria in the next week or so. I'll follow up with more details when I have them.

Terrizzi Pasticceria – 35-14 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103

718.726.9698

N/W Train to 30th Avenue

Rose and Joe's - Amazing Ham Bread

Rose and Joe's is one of my favorite bakeries in Astoria. They have an amazing selection of specialty breads at reasonable prices. Olive bread is one of my favorites there but I also recently discovered their baked ham bread, which is phenomenal. You can buy it in two varieties: a round loaf with a hole in the middle or in a traditional baguette shape. I tried the baguette because it was cheaper and we devoured it really fast--as in, gone in minutes.

Baked Ham Bread:

This beautiful bread caught my eye when I was pointing to the olive loaf that I originally wanted. It had generous chunks of baked ham sticking out of it. The ham was well done around the edges, which I love. Once I cut it up, I saw that the ham was not only on the outside but also nestled deep inside the moist dough. How scrumptious! We didn't even need to put anything on it, except a drizzle of good olive oil and coarse sea salt. I also served some of it that night to friends in the same way, with a small dish of olive oil, salt and pepper. They loved it and before we could get our hands on seconds, the bread was gone. It's official, I loved this bread even more than the olive loaf. The cost of it is reasonable at $2.25/baguette. I urge you to try it for a casual snack or even for some laid-back entertaining.

Rose and Joe's Italian Bakery - 22-40 31st Street, Astoria NY 11105
718.721.9422
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

Rose and Joe's - The Best Olive Bread in Town

One of my favorite types of bread is olive bread. I've bought it many times in various bakeries around NY and while they're all pretty good, they have a tendency to be a little oily. Last weekend when walking by Rose and Joe's fantastic bakery on 31st Street, I discovered a different type of olive bread that I'll surely be back for.

Rose and Joe's Olive Bread:

Instead of the standard loaf that's usually sliced, Rose and Joe's offers a crusty olive baguette. It comes with both green and black olives and I chose the black--they're sweeter. Wonderful is not even the word! Besides the dough being soft on the inside and as crunchy as your teeth could handle on the outside, the olives were perfectly dispersed and were of very good quality. I tasted more than just olives in the dough and I think that there were sun-dried tomatoes added too. Just divine! Although I intended to make a panini out of it, I just couldn't toast this delicious bread so I ate it fresh with mozzarella and Hungarian sausage. However, if you have leftovers the next day, I'd suggest that you use a toaster or a panini press.

The cost of the olive loaf couldn't be better--$1.89 for this baby is definitely worth it. Next time, I'm going to buy more than just one and freeze it.

While I haven't yet tried the pizza at Rose and Joe's, it seems very popular. There was a long line in the store with people waiting for their pizza and they seemed enthusiastic. It'll be the next thing to try on my list...

Rose and Joe's Italian Bakery - 22-40 31st Street, Astoria NY 11105

718.721.9422

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)