Carroll Gardens Getting Ready For Easter

Agnellini Pasquale at Court Street Pastry

Marzipan Easter Lambs and assorted fruit from Monteleone's

The Agnellini Pasquale: A Sicilian Easter Tradition

Like clockwork, marzipan lambs make an appearance in the weeks leading up to Easter at both Court Pastry shop at 298 Court Street and Monteleone's at 355 Court Street. No exception this year. The molded almond paste creatures have hand-painted faces, rest on a bed of fake green grass and are surrounded by a few chocolate eggs and candy.

It wouldn't be Easter without such a centerpiece for many Italian families here in Carroll Gardens.

Can anyone give us more information or tell us stories about these marzipan lambs? Would love to know more.

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Monteleone's Bakery, One Of Carroll Gardens' Old-World Institutions Under New Management

I was surprised to see a sign in Monteleone's window announcing that this old-world Carroll Gardens institution at 355 Court Street was under new management, so I went in to inquire. I spoke to a very nice woman who introduced herself as Maria, the new owner. She and her husband Antonio have taken over the bakery on January 5th. The couple has about 30 years of experience in the pastry business. From the look of the delicious offerings in the display cases, they will continue to bake the wonderful miniatures and traditional Italian standbys as well as some of their own signature items. (They still have the hazelnut cookies, s I am good...)

The place was doing a brisk business yesterday afternoon when I stopped by, so I am sure Maria and Antonio will do fine.

It was just in 2007, when Monteleone's had undergone a major make-over and joined forces with Cammareri Brothers.

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Local Pastry Shops Officially Open Italian Ices Season In Carroll Gardens

Monteleone's At 355 Court Street
and....

Court Street Pastry Shop at 298 Court Street a few blocks away

90 degree weather in April prompted our local pastry shops to open Italian Ices season. Both Monteleone's and Court Street Pastry had their little side windows wide open to customers.
Now I know that there are some in the neighborhood who exclusively frequent one or the other, swearing that one makes better ices and has better cookies than the other.
I pledge no such allegiance. Any cookie and any ice is all right in my book, though I do have a favorite flavor: pistachio.

How about you, dear reader. Where do you stop for your frozen treats?

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A Carroll Gardens Snow Day In March

A glimpse of President Street between Court and Smith Street
after a late winter snow fall.

I felt sorry for the mail man
who could hardly push his cart through the drifts.

Large icicles formed along the roof of Carroll Park's park house

The park benches, under a coating of snow, stayed unoccupied.

Children enjoyed their day off from school

by swinging back and forth

while others were pulled through the snow on sleds.

Even Monteleone's Bakery on Court took the day off.
There was a sign in the window

informing the neighborhood that they will reopen on Tuesday.

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