Power Move: Modern Pastry Expansion

In a recent power move, Modern Pastry took over the vacant, next door space once occupied by Piccolo Venezia. Last week, a screen print sign appeared to herald the expansion. This weekend, a brand new awning was installed. It stretches across both store fronts and proudly proclaims, “Established 1930.”

The expansion has pushed the bakery to more than double in size, which means more seating for patrons and twice as much kitchen. In fact, the new space is already open for business and now offers a brand new lunch menu. Don’t fear, you can still order their signature, spectacular cannolis too.

I can’t help but wonder, how does Mike’s Pastry feel about the Modern Pastry expansion?

 

Italians Don’t Do Easter Baskets

…they do chocolate eggs!

Have you been wandering around the North End wondering about the pretty, colorful, patterned, oval packages that seem to be hanging from the ceiling EVERYWHERE? Well, that makes two of us.

Nicki at Polcari’s Coffee tells me that on Easter, it’s traditional in Italian culture for parents to give their children large, hollow, chocolate eggs wrapped in pretty paper. Often, but not always, there are small toys or prizes inside the eggs. Note that the Easter Bunny does not make an appearance with an Easter basket.

Here is a short round up of shops selling the chocolate treats in my favorite neighborhood.

In the window at Polcari’s Coffee, Nicki sells medium and mini sizes of chocolate Easter eggs.

An overwhelming window display at Modern Pastry shows chocolate eggs of varying sizes.

Zig-zagging across the ceiling at the new location of DiPasquale’s Pasta Shoppe are dozens of hollow Easter eggs.

The manager at DiPasquale’s Pasta Shoppe, Joe, tells me that all of his chocolate eggs have small toy prizes inside!

This is the BIG kahuna, the largest chocolate Easter egg in the North End. It’s easily larger than my torso. Joe says if they don’t sell it, he’ll donate it to Boston Children’s Hospital for the kids to enjoy.

For Better Bread, Visit Bricco Panetteria

Outside Bricco Panetteria

The Bricco Creed

Bags on Bags of Flour

Your Bread Options

Checkout

My love for Bricco Panetteria (241 Hanover Street) results in a weekly pilgrimage to the hidden shop. Located in a little alley just off Hanover Street, it’s easy to miss. The bakery is an extension of Bricco Ristorante and sells bread to many North End restaurants. Use the restaurant as your landmark and you won’t get lost.

Check out this great write up by Boston Magazine which crowned Bricco as “Best Bread Bakery” in their 2013 Best of Boston awards. I couldn’t agree more.