Florentine Pastry Shop

667 Bleecker Street, Utica, NY - (315) 724-8032

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Posted By Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle on 5/7/2008 3:05:00 PM

Pusties, riggies, and hats: if those words mean nothing to you, you're not a Utica native, in which case you should make a point of visiting Upstate NY to sample some classic regional Italian-American food. Riggies refer to the Utica fave chicken riggies, aka rigatoni. Hats are the pasta known elsewhere as orecchiette, often served baked in tomato sauce. Pusties are the subject at hand.

Pusties are a beloved Utica pastry, and are known as such only in the Utica area. They are "officially" called pasticciotti, a single-serving Italian custard-filled tart. The usual fillings for the rich tart crust are chocolate, vanilla, lemon, and Italian cheesecake. The Florentine specializes in these, and other, Italian pastries. We especially love the vanilla-filled pusties, with the delicately scented filling poised in texture between custard and pastry cream. The cannolis, too, can be recommended.

There is a pleasant little room where the pastries can be enjoyed with Italian coffee, if you're not taking a box home. We must not forget one important fact: these pusties are a true bargain. And, if you're willing to go with the day-old item, they are half-price. Incredible!

The Florentine is located on Bleecker Street, the classic old Italian neighborhood in this once very Italian-American city. Today, Bleecker is an amalgam of many different cultures, but the Italian shops still predominate. Florentine is one of the finest.

Scorecard

Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip

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"The coconut cream pustie was a new one to me but it had me hooked at first sight."
Bill Homan

"A perfect balance of buttery, flaky dough and rich chocolate custard."
Bill Homan

"Like a miniature coconut cream pie with some singed coconut flakes on top. One of the most delicious things I have eaten in recent months."
Bill Homan

"A chocolate pustie: one of my favorite treats since I was a kid."
Bill Homan

"Our favorite flavor pusty - vanilla."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"The Florentine bakes quality Italian pastries."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"Florentine offers many other flavors of pusties in addition to the traditional chocolate and vanilla."
Bill Homan

"A little nod to the clientele in the area who still speak the language of the old country."
Bill Homan

"There is a pleasant little side room to enjoy Florentine pastries with some coffee."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"The Florentine is in the heart of the Italian section of Utica."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle