While we were in Boston last month the HH and I checked out Maria’s Pastry Shop in the North End. Many of you had mentioned the bakery after I wrote about Mike’s Pastry and so we made sure to add it to our list this time around.
Maria’s truly is an old fashioned and very traditional bakery that’s been in business since 1982. In fact it’s just the type of bakery I was hoping to find for my Save the Bakeries series this year when I started my goal of trying to find 52 real bakeries. I came across this video and I loved it. I think it pretty much sums up her personality.
When we visited the bakery there was a tour group in the store {which is actually common in the North End} but we were able to make our way to the counter quickly and place our order.
When I was a kid one of my all time favorite things my grandmother made was Guandi. And I didn’t know it was called that until I saw it sitting on the shelf at Maria’s {and it was a total bittersweet moment let me tell you}. It’s basically fried egg dough with powered sugar. When my grandmother made it {which was usually around Christmas} the crispy dough was drizzled with a little honey and a few sprinkles of powdered sugar. As a kid who didn’t eat a bunch of sweets {or rather didn’t have access to them}, I pretty much thought it was the greatest thing ever.
The HH ordered a connoli. And said it was the best one he’s ever had.
I went home with a bag of the best almond biscotti on the planet. My intention was to gift it to my mother. But, well, 48 hours later I had eaten nearly the entire bag of biscotti and so she only got two pieces. 😉
Seriously, this place rocks. It feels like home and the food is simple and yet so amazing. We’ll be back. That’s for sure.
~Mavis
Got a sweet tooth? You can check out all the bakeries we’ve visited so far this year HERE.
Maria’s Pastry Shop
46 Cross Street
The North End
Boston, MA 02113
Cindy says
Maria’s also has the best marzipan!
Julie P says
Oh it’s all looks so good. We have lost a lot of really good bakeries here and it’s so lovely to see all the bakeries you have been visiting, they are thriving. And I need cake! Right now, pictures of food just lately make me want to eat, eat eat!
erin in iowa says
Mavis…have you thought of opening this part of your goals to others to write in about for next year (like the gardening posts). I think it would be great as you have readers all over!
Sandy says
The Italian food in Boston is amazing. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven when I went there several years back.