Pitango Bakery and Cafe – Baltimore Magazine https://www.baltimoremagazine.com The Best of Baltimore Since 1907 Thu, 06 Aug 2020 12:40:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Pitango Bakery and Cafe – Baltimore Magazine https://www.baltimoremagazine.com 32 32 Upper Crust https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/fooddrink/pitango-gelato-expands-with-cafe-concept-in-fells-point/ Thu, 15 Sep 2016 12:00:00 +0000 http://server2.local/BIT-SPRING/baltimoremagazine.com/html/?post_type=article&p=4473

As a lifelong lover of sandwiches, after moving to Baltimore 17 years ago, I made it my mission to find a good one. Wandering around Fells Point one day, I fell hard for
Bonaparte Breads with its leather brass-tack chairs and lovely loaves stuffed with ham and Brie that seemed straight from the Seine. I know I’m not alone when I say that most of us can live by bread alone.

So when Bonaparte steamed its last latte in early 2015, it left a void in a city that’s rife with restaurants but has a shortage of European-style cafes. Then along came Pitango Bakery & Café. Open in the Bonaparte space since last summer, this Italian cafe, a sister spot to Pitango Gelato, fills that niche beautifully with its chic vibe and paragon of Italian sandwich excellence.

Choose from a roster of Italian cold cuts and toppings to construct your sandwich. Breads include a flavorful focaccia and baguettes that form the perfect marriage of crust and crumb. (Their version is sturdier than Bonaparte’s, and even more delicious.) For leaf-lovers, the DIY salad ($10) features a checklist of toppings such as shishito peppers and grapefruit sections.

The highlights of the menu are the signature sandwiches scrawled on a brown paper reel that scrolls from the ceiling and changes seasonally. My favorites, both baguette-based, include a vegetarian version ($8.50) carpeted with roasted eggplant (clearly pre-salted to remove all traces of bitterness), red peppers, fresh basil, and aged provolone.

The Rustica ($10) features an ensemble cast of aged Parma prosciutto, mozzarella, arugula, and sun-dried tomatoes. And the baguette has all the hallmarks of a great loaf—crunchy on the outside and uneven holes on the inside, which are a testament to a proper fermentation process.

With the exception of a new lighting plan, yellow walls, and colorful patio seating, the space feels the same as its predecessor, though service has changed for the better. At Bonaparte, food was always slow to arrive (I blamed myself for over-ordering), but not here thanks to efficient counter service and an amiable staff. No matter what, save room for the just-baked pastries and rich cups of Vigilante coffee. (Follow Pitango on Instagram for a free coffee concoction of your choice.) There’s no gelato here—that’s down the block at their creamery. Console yourself with a plum tart.

›› Pitango Café & Bakery 903 S. Ann St., 443-676-6447. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sandwiches and salads: $8.50-10; pastries: $1.50-4.75.

Source

]]> ​Open & Shut: Bobby’s Burger and Pitango Café Open; Clementine Closes https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/fooddrink/open-shut-bobbys-burger-and-pitango-cafe-open-clementine-closes/ Thu, 30 Jul 2015 17:00:00 +0000 https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/?p=68664 Continued]]> OPEN:

Bobby’s Burger Palace: This modern burger chain, owned by Food Network all-star Bobby Flay, joined the likes of On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina and Nandos Peri-Peri in Towson Square earlier this week. With other Maryland locations in College Park and Maryland Live Casino, the eatery features sleek décor and cleverly named burgers. But now you can get your fix of sophisticated grilled cheese sandwiches, crunchy salads, and signature burgers topped with potato chips and coleslaw while strolling around Towson. 515 Virginia Ave., Towson, 410-296-7227

Piaza Fresh: The Greene Turtle in McHenry Row recently downsized, making room for this new D-I-Y pizzeria to take over its leftover space. Piaza Fresh officially opened its doors last weekend, offering signature brick-oven pizzas, flatbreads, and fast-casual salads. 1602 Whetstone Way, 410-464-0800.

Pitango Bakery and Café: Fans of Pitango’s mainstay gelato shop in Fells Point will be happy to hear that this sweetheart of a spot has recently expanded with a new spinoff concept located a few blocks away in the former home of Bonaparte Breads on South Ann Street. Pitango Bakery and Café made its debut last month, serving up pastries, salads, tarts, and Italian-inspired sandwiches on fresh baked bread. 903 S. Ann St., 443-676-6447

COMING SOON:

Bagby Pizza Company: The Bagby Restaurant Group is continuing its expansion into the county with a Bagby Pizza location opening its doors in Pikesville on August 13. The menu, which is split into categories titled “The Way You Want It” and “The Way We Do It,” features customizable salads and pies alongside a list of the chef’s specialty combinations. 1809 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, 443-379-0566

Ceriello Fine Foods: Known as a one-stop shop for all of the makings of an Italian feast, this store in Belvedere Square Market highlights house-made sauces, Boot Country cheeses, and gourmet grub to go. Come August, the New York-based company will open its second Baltimore location at the bottom of the Hanover apartments in Brewers Hill. The space will feature all of Ceriello’s classic comestibles, while adding fruits and vegetables, gelato, wine, beer, a bakery, and al fresco seating to its list of offerings. 3700 Toone St.

Smoke: Owner and executive chef Josh White is bringing this Pennsylvania-based barbecue joint to Charm City in September. The spot will be situated in the former home of Corned Beef Deli in Cockeysville’s Cranbrook Plaza and serve unique takes on barbecue classics. Bold offerings include Smoke’s signature “The Boss Dawg” sandwich (hickory-smoked pork topped with bacon, local cheddar cheese, pickles, and crispy onions) pork cheesesteaks, and fried cheddar grits with spicy ketchup. 574 Cranbrook Rd., Cockeysville

CH-CH-CHANGES:

Waterfront Kitchen: Following stints at Fleet Street Kitchen, Bookmaker’s Cocktail Club, and The Manor Tavern, Chris Amendola was recently appointed as Waterfront Kitchen’s new executive chef.The harbor-side restaurant, with its own greenhouse, is an active supporter of urban agriculture and the menu reflects its seed-to-plate mantra. Judging by Amendola’s foraging expertise, we think it’s a perfect fit. 1417 Thames St., 443-681-5310

SHUT:

Clementine: This beloved Hamilton spot recently announced that its last day of service will be on August 9. Husband-and-wife team Winston Blick and Cristin Dadant have decided to close their homey farm-to-table spot and transform their business into a full-time catering company.The couple’s second venture Green Onion Market, also in Hamilton, is still open for business. 5402 Harford Road, 410-444-1497

Source

]]>