Dessert Quest Boston part 2 of 2

My Dessert Quest Boston was filled with so many stops that I had to divide the post into two sections. The following is a recap of the other stops I made that glorious day with one of my oldest friends and four of my newest ones.

Desserts Required - Dessert Quest Boston

Many thanks to Jane, Trish, Kim and Lauren for making this day so very special!

The first of our North End stops was to Maria’s Pastry Shop. Boston Magazine awarded Maria’s ‘Best Cannoli’ in 2012. Obviously we had to try one as well as an almond macaroon cookie. Sadly, this stop was a disappointment for all of us.

A. Parziale’s & Sons bakery was established in 1907. Family photos are lined up around the top of two walls truly giving me the feeling that many generations have worked and played in the shop. The smell of nut cookies fresh out of the oven was overwhelming. We bought some of those in addition to several other cookies they make in-house. The toasted nuts and butter cookie taste was just what we hoped it would be and those would be the cookies to buy again. The breads all looked tempting but we did not want to walk around with a whole loaf and mini’s were not available.

We fell in love with the cannolis at Mike’s Pastry. The shop was founded by Mike Mercogliano in 1946. The tradition of using only the best ingredients and never skimping on anything resonates today under the direction of Mike’s stepson, Angelo Papa, who took over when Mike passed away in 2012. The shop is packed and everyone waits patiently knowing that they, too, will receive excellent service when it’s their turn. I was most fortunate to have Angelo help me.

I had a great time chatting with Angelo Papa. Such a nice man!

Not only did I learn that Mike’s Pastry is one of the only shops that makes its own cannoli shells on the premises but I got a tour of the kitchen, too. The process of making the shells is fascinating. The dough is rolled down this gigantic table before rollers slice the shells that are then brushed with butter. They are then individually wrapped onto rollers and cooked. Truly, an operation I was thrilled to see; it was almost as thrilling as eating the cannolis. My only regret was that I only tried the chocolate chip, mocha, lemon and pistachio.