If you live in or are planning to visit Baltimore in the near future, I would highly recommend you stop-by Little Italy’s Italian Festival . A recent outing with the best friend and others lent to an afternoon of spectating intense Italian bocce ball matches, meeting spirited Italian community members working hard to raise money to support local organizations and an introduction to a wonderful dessert experience at the well-know Italian pastry cafe, Vaccaro’s.
Despite a people-packed festival, we were politely and quickly seated in their cafe area. My group, having generously partook in a filling lunch earlier, decided to skip the menu’s sandwich offerings and order dessert.
My friend, Beth, ordered homemade cream puffs topped with chocolate gelato, whipped cream and a cherry. Given we are best friend’s, I thought it was only fitting that I offer to help her taste-test her dish. This dessert, called a BACI BALL ,
offered up wonderful chocolate gelato and a great presentation. However, the menu indicated the cream puffs were supposed to be warm and this particular dish missed that part in the plating stage.
“Life is short, eat dessert 1st.”
Our friends offered to let me sample their dessert, MORTE DAL CIOCCOLATO “VACCARO STYLE”, otherwise known as Death by Chocolate. The menu describes this as, “your choice of a slice of our homemade Chocolate Cannoli Cake or Cheesecake served with Chocolate Chocolate Chip Gelato, and topped with (of course) hot fudge with whipped topping …” The chocolate cannoli cake paired with the gelato was DIVINE! The flavor and moist cake reflected the unique dessert experience that only a cannoli can give, sans the crispy shell.
Dessert doesn’t ALWAYS need to be in a solid state. Therefore I felt justified, having not order my own personal dessert, to imbibe in Vaccaro’s CHOCOLATE SWIRL MARTINI. According to the lovely woman who waited on us, this drink is considered to be “heaven in a glass!” Personally, I have no problem associating a well-made cocktail with a spiritual experience and it WAS heavenly.
Friendly + efficient service, the edgy-meets-traditional-Italian-bistro aesthetics, tasty libations and great tasting dessert makes Vaccaro’s a must-visit for locals + visitor alike. And the six pack to-go order of homemade CANNOLI made the hubby + kids insist on a family visit in the near future As they say in Italy:
Failing At Frugal 