Italian Bakery & Caffe

I think this place might even deserve an extra half star for a total of 4.5. I was very pleased to step in to Italian Bakery & Café yesterday. I had no idea the place existed (there’s one in Raritan, too) but I had to stop at a store a couple of doors down and saw it so went in. The first thing I noticed was that it was a fairly small place and it didn’t have a huge selection of items. The second thing I noticed was the great aroma that only good italian bakeries have. Sort of a mix of bread baking, powdered sugar and the aroma of almond and anise in the air. They advertised gelato in a large sign outside but there was only a selection of about 6 or so flavors, which I did not try. But I did take home a couple of cannoli, sfogliatelle and some biscotti. My wife and I split the cannoli and I must say it was very fresh and crisp. The filling was top notch with chocolate chips. I later tried one of the sfogliatella and it was also really good as were the biscotti. Being a native of the Belmont section of the Bronx, I’ve been exposed to some pretty good bakeries and Italian pastries (see my Artuso’s review) and I have to say that I’d put what I sampled at IB&C not very far behind. Most certainly the best I’ve had anywhere in this part of NJ. The only issue I see with this place is the very unimaginative name of the place… but it does describe it perfectly.

In my opinion, best cannoli and almond cookies within a reasonable driving distance from me. I would even «detour» to there when I lived in PA on my way to my parents in Jersey. And, I would buy from there for every holiday. I never had a bad experience with the taste of anything from there like others are saying. However… I ran into that same girl behind the counter in 2013 (same one Nicole F. reviewed about). It stopped me from going there ever again. Same staring and she was a total snot! And I had greeted her very pleasantly, which of course only made me more upset with how she was acting. I thought I must resemble someone she hates, but I guess not, since another customer felt her wrath. I’m telling you, I have NEVER experienced someone like that in my life. I couldn’t believe it! I tried contacting the owner via email and Facebook, since she obviously wasn’t there in the bakery that day, but I never got a response, which I thought was in poor taste. Hopefully that girl doesn’t work there any more, but I can’t take that chance. I held my composure that day, but if I ran into that girl again, they might have to call the police. PS-​I have never « Unilocaled» before, but couldn’t resist after seeing I wasn’t the only person who experienced that horrible girl. It really still makes me mad when I think about how I was treated by her. Worst experience ever!

Was on the hunt for coffee and walked by this spot. All I saw was espresso on the windows and I had to try it. Luckily I did! I am an espresso fan and enjoyed this one twice in one day! This is the way to drink coffee! Amazing and was so worth the second trip in after a lunch meeting. Thank you thank you. Cannoli’s were top of the line as well! Must have!

Recently picked up a cannoli cake for my son’s birthday. In the case it was very simply decorated. I got to talking with owner and when he heard the cake was for a birthday, he took the cake in the back added mini cannoli and cherries all around the cake. That was very special and thoughtful! As previously stated, the pastry and cannoli are the best around! (The cake was phenomenal too!) And the customer service is just as great!

After getting out of some traffic and getting a bite to eat at Dominick’s in the same strip mall, I went back to my car, and upon entering the car, I saw my favorite two words above me on the strip mall signage – «Italian Bakery.» Little did I know is that the Italian Bakery is actually named Italian Bakery. I went in and picked up a great assortment of Italian cookies. The selection we got was excellent and the lady at the counter was very pleasant.

I went to this place one time. I walked in, knowing what I wanted, and waited at the counter with not one other customer inside the store. This woman was on the phone ignoring me for a solid 7 minutes. And no, she wasn’t on the phone with a customer. She was speaking to some family member about some crap. FINALLY, she got off the phone and rudely stared at me like I was bothering her. I asked for a few different varieties of cookies. They were stale and gross. Never went back again. Wish I had said something to her to make her get off the phone sooner rather than just wait there for that long for terrible cookies.

The last 3 times I have gone here to get cannolis, they did not have any. These were all different days and times. You are an Italian bakery and you don’t have any cannolis? Really? The first instance, I got cookies instead. They tasted stale. Second time I got tiramisu instead which was HORRIBLE… it was just very sweet white cake (not lady fingers) with coffee icing. The third time I left empty handed. Their cases are always filled to the brim (except with cannolis of course) and I doubt there is enough business that their products are being turned over frequently, which would explain the staleness of the cookies. I guess I’ll just take the drive to Randazzos…

Excellent pastries — great place to purchase deserts or to stop by for a cup of steaming coffee and a special treat — but a terrible for the waistline I might add! They had beautiful gingerbread houses available this Christmas as well as marzipan. Hard-​working and friendly people at the counters; opens early and closes late enough so that I can stop there on my way to and from work. I recommend it to all my friends. One reviewer had it right — a delightful bit of Europe in Flemington.