THE SPOT: One of the absolute best Italian bakeries in the entire city, this 4th generation run spot sits in the center of Arthur Avenue in The Bronx and puts out one incredible pastry and bread offering after another. You can’t go wrong with any of Madonia’s products from savory tarrali to mind-blowing white chocolate bread to the beautifully aromatic garlic flower to a deeply flavorful olive loaf. It’s old school, affordable, and nearly impossible to not order everything behind their wooden display case.
THE COOKIE: Funny – I don’t usually think of Italian bakeries as the place to get a classic black and white cookie. Well, Madonia quickly set me straight. This rendition is both as classic as it comes and improves upon the “traditional” ones I’ve tasted before, thanks to a real focus on the baking process.
There may be a slight favoritism towards the chocolate side of the cookie (it takes up much more area than the white), but aside from this unevenness, it’s hard to find a fault. The cake is super soft and light with a perfect crumb.
Both fondants are also great – neither being too sweet – with a subtle hint of vanilla right alongside the more fudgy chocolate. It’s pretty close to being as good as it gets.
THE RATING: 9.5 out of 10 is pretty great considering the only fault I can find from this incredible version is that there might be just a bit too much chocolate.
| MADONIA BAKERY |
| 2348 Arthur Avenue (between East 187th Street and Crescent Avenue), Belmont, Bronx (718) 295-5573 |
| madoniabakery.net |
