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Came here with my friends after dinner. It was packed when we got there, so there was about a 10-15 minute wait, but well worth it. The decor of this place was pretty cute, especially their lights.
I've tried the mint chocolate chip gelati and the italian cookies and cream gelati. The mint chocolate chip was no lie it was really minty. And the cookies and cream was the real deal it really had chunks of cookies in it! I got the small, which is 2 scoops, but it was HUGE and that was only a small. I can't imagine how big a large (3 scoops) would be. My friend had the cappuccino, which he said was good. We've tried the amaretto tiramisu, which was amazing! The lady fingers on the bottom layer were just soaked right with amaretto and the top layer combined with bottom was heavenly! I think I am in love with the amaretto tiramisu!
Great desserts, although I wasn't as big of a fan of the canolis as some others on here. The gelatos and shakes are awesome though.
Choose wisely if you go in for the all you can eat on Monday nights. I know the gelato waffle is a favorite but its huge so that may be the end of your night. And bring some lactaid; I think I killed some small critters outside on my way home.
I'm always skeptical about Italian places and this place was no exceptions despite the ridiculous number of rave reviews online. My skepticism was unfounded; walking into this place actually reminded me of being at my grandmother's house. The furniture and decor was aged, in only a way your grandparent's can be, but for whatever reason it was comforting. Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs so we made a go of a sampler platter of cookies and cakes as well as a few scoops of gelatto. Everything was pretty much on par with what I remember from my childhood. The pignoli and almond cookies were good and the cannoli were as good as any homemade ones I've had. I guess it's really not that hard to do this stuff well, but I've eaten my share of crap over the years... so maybe it's not that easy.
If you're in Baltimore, be sure to check it out. Evidently they have two locations in DC, but I've never been to either. I'm interested in hearing the responses of anyone who has.
5 for the food (minus 1 for the slow service if that matters to you).
My only night in Baltimore was capped off with Vaccaro's in Little Italy, raved about by my Chinese and Vietnamese friends that lived out East.
So much to try and only eight ounces of room left in my stomach. Do I go for the cannolis? The gelato? Since I've never been a huge cannoli guy (they are known for them), I went with the rum cake (which they are also known for).
The fat slice of rum cake was just a tad dry but eating the cake portion with the vanilla and chocolate creams evened it out to make it a heavenly experience. The two seperate layers of cream, combined with the rum flavor played like violins in the night. Hundreds of almond slices died to cover the side of the cake. The creamy pistachio gelato I ordered on the side came in it's own seperate bowl ($4 with dessert order, $5.40 a la carte) and was monstrous.
My friend ordered the Neopolitan Pizzelle (which I also happened to be eyeing). Pizzelle (thin waffle like cookies) cookie tower fitted with chocolate, strawberry, and pistachio gelatos between each floor. All three gelatos were very creamy, as the strawberry wasn't an italian ice, it was a gelato. So good, so sinful.
I couldn't leave without taking some cookies back to Cali. $18.60 a lb. for cookies? Holy cow! That beats the $41.07 I would have had to pay for 1 lb. with ground shipping. I had the apricot filled, raspberry filled, italian strudel (fig & nut), sliced almond, and lemon ice. All were good. If you love almond and the almond marzipan flavor, you'll appreciate the crunch outside and the chewy moist inside. The flavoring amd texture are done perfectly (but you can probably find this cheaper at your local Jewish deli).
If I was a Baltimore Raven fan, I know where I'd be after every game, Vaccaro's, whether celebrating the win or to console myself after a loss. In town for business? Stop by and you'll have the perfect food gift to bring home for your family or office mates. Now I know why people worship this place.
I had a chocolate eclair after lunch at Roy's, a slight walk away. It was big and decent, but nothing mind blowing. The size of the eclair is daunting and bigger is not necessarily better. My wife says the cannolis are to die for but I just was not awed by it.
Ahhh, this pace is a must-visit whenever I'm in Baltimore.
Saturday night - expect to wait in the line that is wrapped around the block.
I was just there on a Wednesday night, around 9 pm - and it was about a 5 minute wait.
The cannoli's are amazing - and I do recommend getting one 'to go'.
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
If I hadn't visited Vaccaro's at its absolute crowded-est (about 8:30 p.m. on a Saturday night) I would probably be giving it five stars. They have cannoli like I grew up eating in NY and haven't had down here yet. This is the first place outside of NY that I have seen the bakery clerks fill the cannoli as you ordered them -- preserving crunchiness. The cream itself was a little different than I was used to (less stiff) but it was still really good, with the chocolate chips mixed in.
One thing I will say is that I was surprised about the prices. Six filled mini cannolis, and probably 10 cookies, with two coffees, somehow came to $30! Maybe I was spoiled by the bakeries at Little Italy in the Bronx, where things were cheaper than NY's downtown Little Italy, but that seemed super pricey to me. Ultimately, though, I'm still giving it four stars because I think what they have is worth the price.
The place is loud and a little disorganized, but I really can't say that it ruined it for me -- I've never been into an Italian bakery that wasn't. Get ready for the line, though, if you go on a weekend. It will be a good thing that you decided to leave the gun. ;-)
Okay, so right off the top, I must warn those who are 'newbies' to Vaccaro's...the outrageous thirty-minutes-to-an-hour-long waits for food are legendary...and THAT'S just for "carry-out." We decided to brave the Vaccaro's gauntlet one night a couple of weeks ago, after having dinner with some friends at our reliable Little Italy chow place down the street, La Tavola. The lines have now practically turned the place into a freakin' FIRE HAZARD, because the downstairs area has now been completely shut down for long-overdue renovations, (here's hoping that's all said and done by the time we make a comeback trip.)
We'd all been hearing about the awesomeness of Vaccaro's pastries, ices and gelatos forever, and we decided that now was the time to venture forth and find out what the deal REALLY was. Our friends and my other half got in line about twelve people ahead of me, and there were so many that there was almost no room to even get upstairs to the counter to order. But after about ten minutes, I couldn't take it anymore. I just used their bathroom, then fought my way back downstairs and waited for everybody else outside. I don't mind waiting in line and I don't mind crowds, but THAT was a claustrophobic experience I'd rather not have again anytime soon, thanks!
After what seemed like a decade and a half, they finally came back out with bags of goodies. My partner said the menu was so extensive that he couldn't decide, so he just picked out a bunch of stuff, while our friends opted for what looked like the yummiest chocolate gelato double-scoop cones I've ever seen in life.
What we had were two huge cheese pastries with an unpronounceable name, a rich, filling and an amazing, nutty, crispy crust that unfurled into these delicate spirals when you took a bite. Then there were light-as-air cream puffs filled with what has to be one of the "nectars of the gods."
But what truly won my pudgy heart and the five stars you see above, were their KILLER almond cookies. Sweet, chewy disks bursting with rich, creamy almond goodness, sprinkled generously on top with mounds of crispy, toasted almond slivers...
Remember how William Hurt felt about Kathleen Turner the first time he saw her in BODY HEAT? That's what these frickin' cookies have done to me...and I haven't even seen the menu yet!!!
If I don't want to wind up weighing 500 lbs. before my 50th birthday, I have to make an unbendable rule about Vaccaro's...I think we should only make a visit ONCE every month or so, maximum.
For the rest of you who can handle it, whatever you've heard about the insanity of the wait for such heavenly delights is true...and MORE. But whatever you have to go through to get some today is more than worth it, too. Vaccaro's is molto, MOLTO bene!!!
Worst service I have experienced EVER. On top of it, the very slow worker behind the counter was overtly checking me out the whole time I was there.
The gelato was nothing special. They could NEVER compete with gelato in Italy.
Aside from that, I also had the pignoli cookies, which were honestly so good that I might just stock up and buy a whole box full, so I don't have to ever go to this place.
Oh and the renovations make you walk through some ghetto first floor.
I'm not a fan of people wiping their butts in my face due to the extremely cramped quarters, however, the tiramisu gelato was scrumptious and more than enough for two people! I sampled one of their cannolis and...I've had much better.
I really, really, really do not like this place. I am not sure why the Italian restaurants in the area get their desserts from here and I think it is a regrettable decision. The first time I experienced Vaccaro's was when I saw Eddie Money perform at some random high school and we stopped here for dessert afterwards. I tried a few different pastries and thought they were way less than remarkable. I thought that might be because I lived in Boston's North End for two years so I know what good Italian pastries are. But after eating at a restaurant in the neighborhood and having a Vaccaro's cannoli I really think this place sucks. The cannoli was weird and runny and not really a cannoli at all. We all looked at each other with confusion after tasting it and agreed that it was weird. I think they need to be trained by some real Italian pastry chefs or something.
Went after Pier 6,
asked the young cashier if the Bourbon balls tasted like Bourbon? He did not understand, Because he has never tasted Bourbon.
I bought 6 of them to go anyway and could NOT taste any bourbon flavor, neither could anyone else in my party.
If you're a dessert fan and you live remotely close to Baltimore, you've probably heard about Vaccaro's. Got the Lost at Sea Colosseo which is big enough to satisfy 4 fat people or 16 really skinny people. Four heaping scoops of gelato topped with whipped cream wet nuts and supported by a freshly made waffle.
DEEEEEEEEEEELISH!
Oh Vaccaro's how i miss you!
I long for the summers when I am back in Batimore so I can taste your exquisite creamy cannolis! I grew up on your cannolis, and remember fondly your small shop across the street. In high school when I started driving, I would come down with friends, and introduce them to your new space where we could have cappuccino, espresso, gelato, pignoli cookies, and of course, my favorite, cannolis.
I love the fill your own cannoli take home pack! I do not even need shells, just give me that tub o' cream filling with mini chocolate chips and I am in heaven!
Deadliest dessert ever.
The Colosseo is served in either a quarter sized, half or whole.
But the price difference from quarter to whole is like two dollars.
So the asian in all of us came out and went for the whole size.
Holy crap.
Deadliest dessert ever.
A whole belgian waffle, four scoops of hazelnut ice cream topped with mounds of whipped cream chocolate sauce and warm nuts.
(http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
It really gives Ghiradelli Square's "Earthquake" a run for its money, then blows it away because the hazelnut ice cream is unlike any other hazlenut ice cream i've ever had.
To go with it, the Cafe Mamma.
Coffee, Kahlua, Tia Rossa and Amaretto... it'll get you drunk!
This place is a MUST whenever I'm in Baltimore!
Simply impressive.
Service was a bit slow and it took us a while for our party to be sat. On the back…
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Don't bother eating desserts at any other Italian restaurant in Little Italy... just come here. Any choice will be a good one, although the peanut butter pie is my personal favorite.
There's also various locations around Baltimore County... the one in Hunt Valley seems to be particularly good.
Pretty good, but not overwhelming. It seemed to be coasting on its high cachet among the tourist crowd. The cannoli was quite good, but a chocolate cake we got was, frankly, dry. I also had an adult coffee that our waitress chose for me. The drink was good, but the standout was what the whipped cream. I wish I could get my cream whipped into that kind of shape. Overall, a clear 3 stars. Worth going if you're in the vicinity, but not worth seeking out.
Also- why no beers? Come on, you have a liquor license. Help me out.
After a decade out of my hometown, I had my old standard chocolate chip cannoli and a cream puff that brought me RIGHT back. sis enjoyed the sfogliatella even though it was crispier than I expected after years of only seeing them. anyway, this is a tourist draw that still works for the locals who pile in there every night. The cannoli seriously is the greatest. Stop here, take a late night stroll around the hood and it's a perfect date-ender if you ask me.
after eating at la scLa, decided to go to an old stand by that I visited 7 years ago.
had the hazelnut chocalate layer cake N cupucinio. Bellisimo!!!!
Check my pics, the place was packed like a canoli!
If you like cannolis, this is your one stop awesome shop.
Vaccaro's is a place I always go whenever I go out to dinner in Baltimore. I will advise my friends not to order dessert so that we can go to Vaccaro's and get some of their amazing baked goods. Besides great cannolis (which you can also get in a take home kit to make yourself) I greatly enjoy their almond cookies and their delicious gelati. It's only a few blocks to the harbour from Vaccaro's and in warm weather is a great destination when walking with a friend. Everytime I go there seems to be a line, but the staff gets through customers very efficiently. Overall, if you have a chance I would highly recommend trying Vaccaro's out, I bet you'll be hooked.
I love the concept. A dessert restaurant seems like so much fun- and it is! There's something absolutely delightful about being given a menu of desserts, and having a waiter come take your order for it. I don't know, maybe I'm easily entertained. Unfortunately, the food just doesn't cut it for me.
The desserts are large enough to fill a bathtub. Teaming up with another woman on a single dessert, we barely even made significant headway. We had ordered the chocolate-hazlenut gelato served over a brownie. The gelato wasn't too shabby, but the brownie itself was unpleasantly dense, sticky and gooey, and the whole thing was four or five times as sweet as it really needed to be. I would happily have traded quantity for quality.
I ate there one other time- I still loved the concept and was desperately hoping I'd just picked the wrong thing. Again, I was disappointed. Everything was just so substandard... Sigh.
I am not a fan of the cannolis. They are way too sweet, and so overpriced. But maybe I'm partial the Mike's Pastry in Boston.
Vaccaro's does have an all you can eat dessert night for I believe $12.95, so if you have a major sweet tooth, you can definitely satisfy it here. I tried it once, but it's not for me. I left feeling full, slightly sick from all the sugar, yet craving salty food because you really can't substitute dessert for dinner.
This place has "jumped the shark" as far as being a worthwhile dessertery. They should focus more on quality rather than quantity: it does not take much skill to mix together sugar, dough and icing and call it a dessert and "Super-sizing it" does not make it better.
Vaccaro's seems to do good business because of the inertia of their name and history in Baltimore, but saavy diners have long abandoned this place and left it for clueless inner harbor tourists along with Tio Pepe's and most restaurants in Little Italy. I would recommend a trip to one of four vastly superior alternatives: 1) Pitango Gelato 2) Sofi's Crepes, 3) Meli, 4) Piadigrotta bakery
That said, I do admit enjoying the canoli filling and shells as a carryout item. you can get them separate (and fill the shells later). This is a nice dessert to bring to a dinner party. You can get the canoli (and avoid the crazy crowd) at Vaccaro's satellite store in Canton Square.
The prices seem soo steep! $8 for a coffee and $4ish for a creampuff
They had a good selection of desserts even though it didnt please my friend (she spent some time living in italy) it doesnt seem to be authentic and no one working there had vast knowledge of their pastries.
As i read the reviews all you can eat mondays seem like a fun way to add on the pounds!
*3.5
Vaccaro pastries kind of remind me of something my non-existent Italian grandmother would make. They are well-meaning, yes, but these sugartastic, ginormo-sized treats will probably leave you in a diabetic coma if consumed in one sitting. One GIANT eclair fed me and my roommates--a total of 3 people--for 2 dessert sessions. Which boggles my mind that there IS a $13 All-You-Can-Eat Dessert Night on Mondays (who can eat that much dessert unless you have a death wish?!)
Nonetheless, I love Vaccaro's. Alright, so for the most part, it was my first ever experience with an "Italian bakery" ever. I have been to Italy immediately after and you betcha the cannolis and gelatos were a lot better there. But I'm not in Italy anymore and this suits me just fine until the next time. I still love their cannolis and their lemon ice. I've tried other things before but the only thing in my mind that sticks as memorable thus far are the coconut cookies. Honestly, some of those napoleons or cakes just look sketchy to me and they weren't anything special when I tried them. Their coffee drinks aren't bad though and I like a good Italian Ice Tea (ice tea with a scoop of lemon ice) in the summer.
So why do I keep coming back? Well for one, there's no other place like it in Baltimore. Though it's always packed, there is still something really comforting to pick up a nice treat or sticking around for it in the dining area with others. It is very much like grandma's house in that cozy feeling and the cooking--it may not be the best in the grand scheme of things but it's comforting and will certainly bring your spirits up even if you get so full you can't move anymore.
Stopped here to pick up some baked goods -- so I can't speak to their cannoli, gelato or tiramisu -- but the cookies were rather disappointing -- with the exception of their amaretti, which were excellent.
Biscotti and Italian almond cookies were very good, but all of the other cookies did not impress.
The pastries are OKAY....but just okay. The gelato is fairly tasty. I must say I do like the cannoli, but they are pricey as can be. The napoleans are good, but taste similar to freezer phyllo with pudding that was made with heavy cream. I'd rather save the cash and hit up Poupon. But, if you are having one of those tacky Little Italy dinner dates, this is sure to please.
It doesn't matter where you eat in Baltimore, come here afterwards for dessert. Tuck you and your friends (or date) away into one of the tables and get ready to eat some fantastic food. (you may have to wait though, this place gets busy!)
During the colder fall and winter months, Vacarro's is even cozier, as they seem to turn the temperature up to the high 70's. Maybe so you can enjoy the gelati all year round?
Just keep in mind that one of the "Specialita Della Casa" desserts has about a 4:1 person to dessert ratio, in my opinion. Meaning you and three of your closest friends better decide on one dish to divide and conquer if you ever hope of finishing it.
Ginormous portions of dessert. I've had better gelato, but not presented like this and with two floors of seating. Again, they only serve dessert. Wow. I'd recommend sharing a dessert with a friend, but if you can handle it order your own. The ice cream sandwich was huge and mad yummy, although the brownie part could have been a bit more moist. The rum cake was pretty blah.
If you're in B-more, you must indulge in this neighborhood institution. It's worth the extra pounds.
Oh lord, those cannolis are good!
...and there's a Monday night all you can eat dessert and coffee (read: be a glutton, eat dessert for dinner!) for $12.95 per person. Ridiculous! It happens every Monday from 6-9pm in the Little Italy location. Unbelievable.
A great way to pack on the pounds to stay warm this winter. Oh wait, that's for hibernating bears...
Awesome tiramisu!!! whenever i go thr, I buy the half tiramisu (i think its arnd 10-12 bucks) ...and then hv it 3-4 days in a row after meals.
simply superb!
Little Italy, I miss you you. I went to the all you can eat dessert and coffee fest one time and I was sold. I then periodically went back for the tiramisu and I love it. the cannolis were good and the filling was just right and not too sweet. I even caught them on their 50th Anniverssary night and they had a special for 50 cent desserts with a limit of two! that was awesome and the line was around the corner! you used to be able to register on their site so that on your birthday you can go and get free dessert. I've since moved from charm city but if you live there it would do you well to visit the website for info (if it still exists). I do think it's a little expensive though so that's what keeping me from giving it 5 stars. But if you're in Bmore and you're looking for a good dessert this place is a winner
My friend takes me here everytime I'm in Baltimore. Though there is always a wait, the waitstaff is friendly and accomadating.
I will not comment on the past since they were a while ago, but this recent visit I tried the cream puffs. The bread was not puffy as I expected, dry, and too thick for my liking. I won't be getting these again.
My dad had the raspberry napoleon, which was ok..as Lola S mentioned, the filling is like a donut. The other dessert I tried I can't remember the name of but it was strawberry, pistachio, and baci gelato layered between crispy waffle cone..now this was sooo good and totally worth it!! The strawberry was nothing special, but the pistachio and baci had a distinct and memorable flavor. Very enjoyable.
It's a cool place to check out if you are in the area and it has late hours so perfect to go after another evening event.
Just heaven.
Toward the end of my meal at Fogo de Chao, I couldn't believe I was saying it, but I wanted something sweet after the insanity of meat I had just eaten. I was tempted to get something there, until Jim B. piped up with "I know a place."
Well GOOD LORD. What a place! Thank you Jim!
We had to wait for a couple of minutes for a clear table, but it was totally worth it. A packed place is typically a good sign. What I loved most about Vaccaro's (aside from the mountain of chocolately goodness I inhaled) was the people there. It was so fun to see people coming from all sorts of events (we were there around midnight on a Saturday). People celebrating birthdays, out on a date, or coming from some fancy-pants ball or party.
When we walked in, I knew it would be good, as I could see all the pastries stacked up at the counter. Jim and I decided to split the "Death by Chocolate," which at one point we thought might actually cause us to die. These desserts can definitely be split many many ways.
I just loved the atmosphere and idea of this place and was so happy to see that the food delivered. I am going to track down the DC locations and become a regular,just before I'll have to go on a major post-holiday diet.
One of my can't miss stops whenever I'm in Baltimore, and I usually end up leaving town with a box of canolis and eclairs for the trip back to Atlanta. It's the kind of small, well-established neighborhood eatery that you just don't have further south in the land of strip malls and urban sprawl. I love going for walks in the neighborhood when I'm visiting my friends nearby.
I had told my wife stories about Vaccaro's leading up to our last trip to Baltimore. I'm happy to say that the desserts more than lived up to the hype for her as well. Can't wait to come back and have some more.
THE dessert cafe to go to in the friendly Little Italy neighborhood. Typical Italian dessert fare with the mainstay pastries and gelato. I've had better gelato in Little Italy in NYC, but the quality is just as comparable and you definitely get more for your money. The canolis are excellent - the regulars are super sweet and tasty. You can order some pre-filled or fill them yourself. And they have both regular and amaretto tirimisu (the latter being very tasty and liquidy-runny if you let it sit for too long). I'd give this more stars but the toronne they sold was pre-packaged Ferrara brand - you can get the same thing fresher in Ferrera in NYC! Not impressed with that.
Especially impressed with how late this place opens (until 1or2 am on weekends). Definitely check this out if you're in this part of the neighborhood.
The pastries are not of great quality and the gelato is so so. However there is the all you can eat dessert on Monday and every night you can get the Colosseo, 4 scoops of Gelato over a waffle covered in toppings. Make sure to bring a few friends as this can comftorably feed 5 people. It's not the quality, it's definately about the quantity.
Although nestled in a seemingly obscure corner just south of Abermarle and Pratt Streets in Baltimore's Little Italy, the locale itself is not difficult to find, even at night. Just look for the line of people stretching out from the corner entrance out into the intersection.
Vaccaro's original full service location commands lines of people and their sweet teeth for its home-batch recipies, its answer to anyone's weekend night craving for gelatto, and its classic cannoli recipe (among other high-decadence treats).
My favorite has always been the "Lost At Sea"--which is a Belgium waffle topped with fresh walnuts, ice cream, whipped cream and fudge drizzled on and on and on. This is just one of what we called the "Columbus series" of ice cream desserts---they are tiered in level of sugary agglomeration--starting with the beginners-only Nina, the slightly more ingredient-y Pinta, the Santa Maria, and the crown jewel of sugar-shock, the Lost At Sea. These are offered in three portion sizes---a full size (just under $10), a half size, and a quarter size (just under $7). The last is my indulgence of choice---Vaccaro's desserts are rich, rich , rich and even the quarter-size Lost At Sea is enough to kick my sugar buzz into high gear.
The tiramisu is standard tiramisu size with a Vaccaro's touch. The eclair rivals the size of a loaf of bread and unless you're a self-proclaimed sugar uber-beast, think about sharing it so your bloodstream doesn't take vengeance on you.
All desserts here are large (either literally in terms of sheer mass, or in terms of sugar-content-per -cubic-millimeter), but everything is hand crafted in house and delectably yummy. Vaccarro's satellite locations "Vaccaro's Italian Pastry Shops" around Baltimore and Washington, DC don't really compare to ths original destination in terms of selection and freshness, but still can quell the hankering for Vaccaro-ness if you're on the go (or too far of a commute) from the Little Italy restaurant.
Prices range from $4 or so all the way upwards of $10 for sinlge desserts. For a group of 7 folks, all with a range of desserts, a couple of cappucinos and a cup of Lavazza brewed coffee, the tab was just shy of $75, including tip.
The major downside is the wait on its oft hopping nights. There's even a nice disclaimer on the menu that forewarns those who may be "in a rush". The dining area is not large at all---a table of 7 took up the central part of the dining room, which is already sharing a sliver of tile space with the gelatto line. So waiting---be it for a table or for your desserts to be plated, is part of the Vaccaro's modus operandi as well. If you're in a hurry, heed the disclaimer's advice and come back next time--when you can relax, have conversation, and enjoy gradualliy increasing your blood sugar level by orders of magnitude.
Parking is also just as competitive as scoring a seat---Little Italy, with its close concentration of so many fine Italian restaurants, shares neighborhood street parking as well. If you're coming during the day, keep an eye out for the parking rules/signs posted in your sidewalk-side of choice.
If you're coming from the Inner Harbor, the most convenient way (in my once-upon-a-Baltimore-life opinion) is to stay on Pratt (the main street through the heart of the Harbor), cross over President, and turn right onto Albermarle. If you're with a group of people, definitely do a drive-by-dropping-off of your party at Vaccaro's so they can get in line while you scavenge for a parking spot.
Moral of the story is, regardless of where your dining plans are in Baltimore, save room for dessert.
Here.
Walking through Little Italy on the way back to the hotel, I had a dessert craving and we stopped in at Vaccaro's. What a mistake!
There was a line to be seated, the service was painfully slow, the prices were outrageous, and nothing was very good.
A cup of coffee: $3, and good luck getting refills. A latte: $6, served in a 6-oz coffee cup, so weak that it looked like it was made with a shot of coffee instead of espresso. Coffee beverages were served with a small tasty butter cookie, which was actually the only thing I liked.
We ordered the $6 plate of mini cannolis: three cannoli, one plain and filled with plain filling, one plain and filled with chocolate cream, and one chocolate dipped filled with plain cream. Lots of mini-chocolate chips and powdered sugar dusted over everything. EVERYTHING TASTED LIKE CINNAMON. I don't claim to be an expert on Italian pastry, but when you take your first bite and the only thing that comes to mind is cinnamon flavored chewing gum, you have a problem. Cloyingly sweet, and even with the chocolate cream, it was hard to recognize the cocoa flavor under so much cinnamon. The pastry shells were OK but tasted a little greasy.
I ordered the small baci (chocolate hazelnut) gelato, ($5.40) and they brought out a huge bowl with two scoops of fluffy crap. When I think gelato, I think rich, dense, explosive flavor. This was fluffy like grocery store ice cream, and was made with cocoa powder instead of chocolate -- you could actually feel the grainy cocoa powder in the gelato. I think the hazelnut flavor was the result of a syrup, although there was a generous amount of hazelnut slivers in the mix.
The takeout prices were approximately 70% of the dine-in prices. They may have some authentic cookies or pastries, but I would stick to less sugary options. Carry out the dessert and get your coffee anywhere else.
This place remind me "Mike Pastry" in North End Boston.
I had tirmasu!reat little place to stop by for dessert! I didnt even finish the whole thing!!
It was crowded, not that much seating, maybe it just the time I was there!
Baltimore, MD
Category: Italian
Baltimore, MD
Category: Bakeries
Baltimore, MD
Category: Bakeries
Baltimore, MD
Category: Bakeries
Baltimore, MD
Category: Delis
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