Erin writes:
I am originally from New York and crave the Italian bakeries from back home. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good Italian bakery in the Springs or even in Denver? I have seen a few Hispanic and German bakeries here in the Springs, but nothing that fit the bill. I am looking for good semolina loaves with sesame seeds, hard rolls, pignoli cookies, and rainbow cookies. Thanks!
Can you recommend an authentic Italian bakery in Colorado Springs or Denver? Please comment on this post with your tips!
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$1.25 for Lucerne (half gallon) at Safeway, Fri-Sun Only
Erin, I have been here 16 years and have not found one. I am also from New York and miss those bakeries. You just gotta stock up when you go back. If you do find one, let me know. I sure would love to find all those items you mentioned but have not found them. Maggiano’s Italian restaurant up in Denver has bread that tastes like NY Italian bread, but I have not found those other delicacies here. Good look. I was back in NY last month and tried to enjoy all that good NY food while there. Borriello Bros. Pizza sells cannoli’s that are pretty good.
Erin:
I’m from New York too, and like Debbie, have yet to find an authentic NY bakery in/around Colorado Springs (I’ve lived here for 20 years). Hard rolls are very hard to come by. Best alternative I’ve found is to ask the Safeway Bakery to bake their standard kaiser rolls for you and to add poppy seeds. Safeway’s French Rolls also have a NY-style texture and flavor.
If nothing else, I think you, Debbie and I should meet for coffee sometime to talk about our NY roots! Feel free to email me anytime at lisa@mbca.org.
Although more of a deli/restaurant than a bakery, Mollicas on Garden of the Gods has several desserts available. I’ve not tried them, because I usually go there just to pick up a specific pasta I like, but they look pretty good. I’ve seen the cookies there, but not sure they have bread. Might be worth a quick drop in for you. Also, RubberDollar.com usually has discounted certificates you can buy for Mollicas.
I’m from PA…it’s not New York by any stretch, but bakeries and pizza out here are sadly lacking.
I’m sorry. I’ve found I’ve got better luck baking my own with the artisan bread in five minutes a day method, which if Carrie doesn’t mind I’ll post a link.
Lol, I had to come back to this, because my husband had gotten me a tiramisu at Safeway…it was made with…wait for it… cake. Not even soaked.
I do miss the back east bakeries.
You’re joking correct? You bought a mass produced cake from a local chain of supermarkets expecting the expensively soaked ladyfinger version? Be realistic please, we’re in the middle of the country!
As far as Italian bakeries, you’ll find Dolce Sicilia has a variety of options, albeit limited. There’s a Pizzeria called Wholly Cannoli on gartrell rd that has a limited but authentic dessert menu. If you can find Gaspare he’s the real deal from Italy, but he’s extremely sporadic and exceptionally hard to find nowadays.
Also, coming from my experience as a Pastry Chef who studied in Rome, most tiramisu’s are made with a soaked Frangipani or a taste less sponge cake that soaks extremely well. Ladyfingers are an American influence because of there cheap use. Also remember, most pastries are interchangeable in Europe between countries, so you are very likely to find things that are almost more French than Italian and vise versa.
I’m not sure if this place is authentic by any means, but they do advertise in the Pueblo Chieftain quite a bit. East Coast Pizza & Bakery is in Pueblo, and I have heard their cookies are great. Not sure about breads, but it’s worth a call if you are interested. Their website is eastcoastpizzapueblo.com. They don’t have any bakery items listed on their website, and I’m not sure why. Just a suggestion for you all….
Sidenote – I’m headed to NYC in June and would love a good pizza place and bakery recommendation. :) TIA.
In Pueblo I always go to an Italian grocery store, it is Gaglianno’s, They sell all imported italian cheese and local made ricotta, deli meats, Italian canned goods, olives, olive oil, pasta. homemade Italian cookies.breads, candy. they are an a 100 year old store that is owned by the same family, they treat you like family when you walk in. Ask them about the Italian festivals…..Pueblo has a large Italian community.
Oh man, I cannot believe I didn’t mention Gagliano’s also! It is my go-to place. They are an amazing family with amazing products.
Gagliano’s in Pueblo is definitely worth the drive from Springs!
Manhattan Pizza ( off of US 50 on the north side of pueblo) has very good pastries and pizza. They have the best GF pizza that I’ve had in CO thus far too. The cases are filled with amazing looking treats just like the Italian deli we used to go to in NY when I was a kid.
Down in Pueblo is Mauro Farms. I was there is December, they have so much Italian food. Here is their website. http://maurofarms.com
There is an Italian restaurant downtown. They have pretty good food. We did have a place that sold desserts and food but it is gone. I loved their pepper and sausage sandwiches. Fratelli Ristorante Italiano,
I’ve never lived east of Illinois, but I got some semolina wheat berries from the co-op I belong to. I milled them into flour and made bread with them (with sesame seeds) and fell. in. love. Good stuff, but I have no idea if it’s authentic or not.