The Sweet Spot, part I

Recently, I was asked by a classmate about a good bakery that was near Trinity College, so I decided that I should start reviewing bakeries in Hartford. Since Hartford is a truly multicultural city, there are many, many delicious pastry shops to chose from. The South End is still considered "Little Italy" despite the influx of new cultures such as Puerto Rican, Albanian, Mexican, Peruvian, and Bosnians. One of the very well known Italian bakeries is Mozzicato, which opened in 1978 at 329 Franklin Ave. The bakery is chock full of decadent desserts, wedding cakes, cookies and Italian bread. But if you head to the door on the left side of the building (unmarked from the outside) you will enter the charming caffe.

The caffe is one of those places that is just perfect to spend a lazy Sunday with your book and a cappuccino, or to bring a date in the evening. Besides having delicious pastries, including fresh cannollis, you can also having gelatos, and granitas. If your tastes are not for desserts, then you can try some of their housemade pizza, arancini, or calzones. The calzones, by the way, are ENORMOUS, and it's a good idea to split one with somebody. Just remember to ask the server to bring you a side of sauce to accompany it.

They also have a full bar including many appertifs, which makes it quite appealing a destination in the evening. In addition, the staff encourage unofficial Italian and French language nights, where patrons can gather and practice their conversation skills with one another.

Website:  http://www.mozzicatobakery.com/cafe.asp