Bites Nearby: Polito Bakery

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, New Hyde Park Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

Making the community sweeter since 1960, Polito Bakery has remained rooted in its traditional values over the years. Remembering how it felt to be a child on the receiving end of a complimentary cookie from over a bakery counter, owner Josephine Parrino works to preserve a welcoming atmosphere in her shop, where customers can feel at home.

“We still remained the old-fashioned way,” says Parrino.

Offering quality baked goods at reasonable prices and without cutting corners, the cookies, pastries, danishes, cakes and breads at Polito Bakery are all made fresh on the premises. From birthday cake designs to wedding cake ideas and anything in between, custom accommodations are made for specific requests.

Popular desserts include tiramisu, cannoli, chocolate fudge, cassata, and the colorful rainbow cookie cake. Among the freshly baked breads sold are French and Italian loaves, large round “Napolitano” bread and rolls. 

Polito Bakery’s pastries consist of classic homemade favorites like cannolis, napoleons, and éclairs in both mini and large sizes.  At this time of year, Parrino says that St. Joseph’s Day pastries are what the bakery is “famous for.” The large pastry filled with either cannoli or custard cream, is a customary Italian confection traditionally consumed on March 19, but is available early at Polito.

This year marks Polito Bakery’s fiftieth anniversary, so keep your eyes open for celebratory specials in the near future.

Polito Bakery, 3365 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park, (516) 248-6618. Open Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.