Sunset Park Dim Sum & Pandora's Box of Italian Pastry
<img alt="porkricecrepes.jpg" src="http://suttonfirstchurch.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/porkricecrepes.jpg" width="450" height="338"
Kings County offers a globetrotting array of foodstuffs and dining establishments. Devoted readers know all about my culinary adventures in Brooklyn's Chinatown, edible explorations in Brighton Beach's Little Russia, and regular grocery shopping jaunts to the Middle Eastern strip of Atlantic Avenue. But, admittedly, I've never visited one of the borough's most important hubs -- Bensonhurst, an Italian-American mecca.
So, when a handsome Italian-American Brooklynite offered to show me Bensonhurst's best pastry shop, bakers of the ultimate Cannoli, I said "Sì, voglio davvero uscire con te." (Okay, maybe my Italian isn't that good, but he got the idea.)
In order to make sure that we didn't just load up on sweets, we paid call on Sunset Park's Chinatown en route, stopping at Park Asia for some dim sum classics, including Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaves and Rice Crepes with Pork Spareribs in Black Bean Sauce (pictured above).
Sated, we hopped back into the car and journeyed into the heart of Brooklyn, securing a miracle of a parking spot right in front of our dessert destination: Villabate-Alba Pasticceria.
As we stepped in the door, the heady aroma of fresh baked goods was intoxicating, and the colorful pastry selection was drool-worthy.
Still, I was way too full to even consider a single bite. My companion looked disappointed and then starting pointing at different pastries, asking the clerk to pack them up to go.
He was adamant. There was no way that I was not going to try Brooklyn's -- if not the world's -- finest Cannoli.
Once I arrived home, I placed the box in the fridge and waited until later that night to open it and reveal its cream-filled treasures...
<img alt="italianpastry.jpg" src="http://suttonfirstchurch.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/italianpastry.jpg" width="450" height="338"
Oh, my!
Clearly, this was going to have to go right back into the fridge...but not before I tried one little bite of the Cannoli...
Delizioso!!!! Magnifico!!!! Divino!!!!
It took all my strength to let go and put the Sicilian treat down. Needless to say, the Cannoli, Sfogliatelle and the rest of Pandora's Box is back in the fridge. We'll have to wait to see if I dare open the box again. Thinking a few trips to the gym will be called for first.