Leah S.
Yelp
Weirdly enough, the first time we were stationed in Connecticut we found this shop on a whim the first time we ate at Frank Pepe's. Years later, on another whim after eating at Frank Pepe's, we happened upon this shop again. We remembered how good it was the first time and are happy to report that they remained good.
The shop is located on the corner of two busy streets, and has their own parking lot which is very convenient. Inside, the counters are full of delicious baked and fried goods, with options galore of sweets. The ladies that work there are kind and helpful and are happy to educate you on the differences between their items as well as the fillings and options for custom items as well.
We usually get about six or seven pieces, depending on what they have that day. The best thing in my opinion that they make is the Sfogliatella, an impossibly crisp, light, buttery, flaky triangle of goodness. Each bite is layers and layers of thin layered dough with butter which crisps each leaf and leaves it light and airy but packed full of flavor. These are very difficult to make, and they do an amazing job.
I think hubby's favorite item was the Zeppole, which was an amazingly light puff pastry circle filled with a cream custard and topped with more cream and a cherry on top. I also thoroughly enjoyed the cannoli which was impressively dotted with very small chocolate chips, however was lacking in the traditionally desirable bubbles on the outside of the fried shell.
On our most recent trip, we also try a couple new things that we hadn't had before. I ordered one Bocconotto, which was sort of a small tart shell filled with marzipan and apricots. I really love marzipan but the apricots were just too sour for me and the shell was very crumbly and dry. We also ordered one sort of turnover/handpie item and that was also very dry.
Prices are very reasonable given the attention and care that they put into every item, location is convenient with free parking, and the ladies who work there are as sweet as the items they sell, and happy to see you. I definitely will continue coming here after my visits to Frank Pepe's- it's just the metaphorical (and literal) cherry on top of an excellently carb-filled day.