Pasticceria Italia

 So many choices, so little time to eat them all...here at Pasticceria Italia that's the problem. AND what a problem to have. We each got a Cappuccino Cake which was delicious and so much better than Tiramisu. A slice of Cheesecake with Strawberries was to be a gift back home. Luckily I didn't eat that in the car on the way back!

Tony's Flour Shop

 Tony's Flour Shop just opened yesterday and I have been there twice already. This is a great addition to Cromwell. Yesterday I bought Semolina Bread and two Lemon Meringue Tarts. The bread was amazing and can't wait to toast the last two slices! The tarts were today's dessert lunch [actually that's all I had with a cup of tea] as I get ready for Happy Hour elsewhere. The lemon is the real thing and I saw jars of lemon curd for sale there also. Today I needed a 'care package' for an ailing friend so picked up a Pepperoni Bread that looked and smelled delicious. Just read his blog entry and he is sold out for the day. This is small-batch baking at its finest! Welcome to town.

Hartford Baking Company in Glastonbury

 Made an early morning stop at Hartford Baking Company in Glastonbury while waiting for my stepdog to be groomed. We were the only people there so early but the place soon filled up. There were those who picked up something and left, some who stayed like we did and a few UberEats that picked up deliveries. The early hour sure did not affect the amount of delicious offerings We each had a cup of coffee; she had a slice of cinnamon coffee cake and I a scone. Both were fresh and delicious. Of course I headed immediately for the reduced-price yesterday's bread and picked a loaf of my favorite black olive focaccia which I sliced myself on the slicer and a few just baked bagels. Successful stop and on our list for next month. The only drawback was the volume of the music at the time of day [my age is showing!]

Hartford Baking Company

After watching a BBC program on bread, we were looking for Rye with caraway and Ciabatta. My neighbor loves rye bread and didn't know about Ciabatta. Hartford Baking Company in Hartford was always my place to go for bread but they have now evolved into a chicken and something establishment. So off to Glastonbury I went after ordering online. Finally found it and was looking for the curbside delivery which I could not find. But I did find my bread waiting for me [lovingly]. As wonderful as it should be, the heel of rye bread smeared with butter happened as soon as I reached the kitchen. The ciabatta is whimpering quietly because it wasn't chosen first. Can't review anymore right now as I have to let that delicious looking bread know that I am now ready to enjoy it!

Harvest Café and Bakery

A good deed got me a good breakfast! While transporting a friend from Blue Black Surgery Center to home after a procedure we took a side trip to the Harvest Bakery for a good breakfast. She was hungry and I was willing and able to join her. Got the American Breakfast which included a Poached Egg, toasted muffin, bacon and home fries with coffee.

Her Blueberry Pancake was enormous and very tasty. The toasted muffin dipped into the just right poached egg topped with a piece of bacon made for a great tasty mouthful. The hash browns were just okay and stayed on the plate to be sent to old potato-ville. The place was very crowded on this holiday Monday morn but the service kept right up with the crowd!

blognote: Be aware [or beware] of the bakery items on the way in. A plethora of temptations!!!

A CUPCAKE FOR LATER

Niece here from Florida and is visiting cupcake purveyors up and down her road trip. The seventh visit was to A CUPCAKE FOR LATER on Main Street in Willimantic. This was a very cute and friendly spot in a district that is truly starting to make a difference in the culinary section of that region. Case in fact, one of my fav restaurants is Cafémantic just up the street.

I tried the Hot Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Strawberry and Maple Walnut Bacon! My favorite cake was the maple walnut and favorite topping the strawberry. But I guess that means I have to go back and try some more. Not living in Florida myself, that will be too easy.

blognote: Kudos to the gentleman who volunteered to take a picture of our group

Borinquen Bakery

After a great meal at MOFONGO we had dessert at Borinquen Bakery a little across town. This was a party supply store and then a restaurant supply store back in my New Britain working days.

I had the Palmera and she had the Guava/Cheese Pastalillo [$1.25 each]. Both were good and the coffee [$1.25 small] was strong and sweet. Great way to end the day!

blognote: good parking in the lot just before the building

Scott's Jamaican Bakery

Went to the Community Mural Celebration this afternoon. It was held in the parking lot of Scott's Jamaican Bakery where the murals had been painted on the wall. Tao and Amy LaBossiere had so much to do with the creation of this mural. Follow their work in Hartford!

So I went inside and was enveloped by the aromas of freshly baked goods. I bought a package of Corn Rolls hot from the oven. In my excitement I forgot there was free food outside and bought a Pattie filled with spinach and cheese [so many fillings to choose from]. I did warm up later with a cup of hot cider from the table near the Jamaican musicians and then someone passed out beautiful dessert cake. This will not be my last visit!

'rememberable tastes'

Was gifted a Sugarbelle cupcake today. It is a chocolate peanut butter beauty: Devil’s food cake topped with chocolate peanut butter ganache and filled with a peanut butter surprise! And it came in its own little gift box!

'rememberable tastes'

café mocha [large $4.50] at Hartford Baking Company

Moon Bakery, Yangon, Myanmar

bloginfo: located in the Sky Mart Shopping Center

Biscotti é Dolci Bakery

The real translation of Biscotti é Dolci is 'too many temptations'! What a great variety in such a small space. There were so many things appearing from the kitchen in the back that  I could have exceeded my weekly caloric intake in just a few moments. I was good and only bought some Italian bread but I will go back and surrender.

bloginfo: Biscotti é Dolci Bakery is located at 621 Main Street [Route 99] in Cromwell, CT.
Phone is 860 635-BAKE.

blognote: This is where the Aloha store was located diagonally across from Millane's Nursery.

'rememberable' tastes...

Visited Hartford Baking Company this afternoon. A little late in the day for the full assortment of goodies but was able to snag a loaf of caraway rye. Had a coffee and a little pumpkin loaf while friend had coffee and a raspberry thingy. Both delicious!

bloginfo: the staff there sure knows their breads...was amazed at the questions people ask and the fact that they could answer them

blognote: don't know why I always end up going into the parking lot exit...guess I am not paying attention or fantasizing about what I am going to order

Sweet Harmony Café [CT]

Lunch here today, had planned to eat outside but too hot. Sat inside next to a father [take care of the kids day] with two young boys. Not too tranquil a meal!

Sandwiches were fine and both had the Pork Tenderloin [oops out of pork so substitute chicken] with gorgonzola on a croissant and tropical chutney if you ask [$8.95]. Worked out well as the chicken was tender and flavorful. One sandwich with very good potato salad and my house salad with Vidalia Onion dressing was great.

Dessert was a shared Cream Puff filled with chocolate mousse and slathered in chocolate truffle sauce [$4.95]

bloginfo: another Groupon
blognote: The service has improved immensely; see earlier review.

May 23, 2011
Lunch today [with a $10 Groupon Coupon] at Sweet Harmony Café in Middletown. Very nice menu in a very kitschy dining room setup. We ate at a round table sitting in overstuffed armchairs. It does have a theme which you can't miss.

Breads and pastries all prepared onsite. The sandwiches were very good: Pork Tenderloin with gorgonzola and chutney and my Italian Coldcut and cheese on a roll. The choices for sides were salad or red potato salad [the cheese tortellini was out]. Good sized portions for an $8.95 sandwich/salad combo. Desserts were the specialty. I had the Chocolate Peanut Butter concoction which was way too sweet for me. The Eclair filled with vanilla mousse was sinful. It was declared 'not as flaky as before'. Desserts $5.95 each.

Service on the other hand was very spotty. The person in charge needs to train the staff. One waiter was very efficient while the other was way out of his league. He wanted to put the dessert dishes on top of the dirty sandwich dishes. I told him no, please bus the table first. It was like he was never told to do that. With a little finesse this could be a real starter. Will return and give it another chance.

Pierre Hermé Macarons

The ultimate macaroon is the one made by Pierre Hermé. I had raspberry macaroons from Pierre in Miami at the Food and Wine Fest a few years back. I have been wanting to try some of other flavors for years and voilá!

I bought a half dozen [9.35€] and had the young woman choose six from the myriad numbers available. I had 1. Mogador [Chocolat au Lait & Fruit de la Passion] 2. Infiniment Caramel [Caramel au Beurre Salé] 3. Infiniment Rose [Rose et Pétale de Rose] 4. Inifiniment Chocolat [Chocolat Pure Origine Venezuela Porcelana] 5. Coing et Rose [quince] 6. Huile d'Olive et Vanille [available from 4 avril]!!!

Rockland Bakery [NY]

Stopped on our way home from the Edison Estate/Montclair Art Museum Tour at this amazing bakery. The Rockland Bakery is the 'funnest' bakery I have ever seen. The front showroom was filled with cakes, pastries and pies. The unique part was the back of the store. You put on plastic gloves, gather up some paper bags and proceed to pick out the fresh bread you wanted. Some of it [bagels] was coming off the conveyer belt. The rest was sorted by type [at least 20] on huge shelves. Then you took your choices to the front, stood in line, had the bread sliced if wanted and paid up. There was even a 10% senior discount. I bought a whole grain baguette and a round levain. This came to $3.29. What a joy!

bloginfo: The Rockland Bakery is in Nanuet, NY
blognote: They supply many of the best restaurants in NYC.

brew bakers [CT]

Haven't been back here for years. Driving down Main Street in Middletown looking for a place to have an uncomplicated lunch; here it was. brew bakers was my old hangout back before 'widowerhood' days.

I had a coffee, Arugula Salad with chopped tomatoes and sautéed mushroom topped with some shaved parmigiano-reggiano cheese and dressed with a lemon truffle oil. This and a toasted/buttered cheddar bagel came to $12.12 [play that number] and certainly hit the spot. I will certainly return!

bloginfo: seems that the new owners have really turned this into a great little spot on Main Street

blognote; bought a half dozen assorted 'day-old' bagels for $2.29 and will see how that turns out

Hartford Baking Company [CT]

Heard a few good rumors about this place so stopped in today.

Unfortunately my freezer is filled with bread and won't be around to eat it anyway, so didn't buy any of the good looking bread. Did have a cup of Stumptown coffee [$1.50] and a Ginger Scone [$2.25]. We split the scone and it was decidedly the best ever!

Will definitely go back for some good bread.

bloginfo: check our their website here

blognote: easy to find on New Park Avenue close to the intersection of New Britain Avenue

Glenburn Grill and Bakery [PA]

Stopped for breakfast on a quick trip in and out of Scranton. Was one of those neighborhood 'let's meet for breakfast after church' places. Wicked coffee and I drank way too much.


The breakfast was advertised on a hard roll; it was actually a huge, fresh-baked parker house roll. It came with fried eggs, cheese and kielbasa. Delicious and for $4.45 the bargain of the year. Too bad it's so far away.