Sunday, March 16, 2008

Dandy Candy and Sumptuous Sweets

I have to keep you in the loop with the articles I am writing on Buffalorising.com. Here is one on bakeries and candy.


Did you know that there are two in-store bakeries at the Broadway Market?
Did you know that candy products are made on-site at the Broadway Market?
The place is filled with sweet stuff all year round. Family owned businesses that make the real deal. Products that are unique in their offerings and style.

Melanie’s Sweets started at the Broadway Market over 25 years ago. Melanie I. Kryger-LaMastra’s business blossomed and she moved out of the market and two other locations. One at Theater Place in downtown Buffalo that is still in operation and the other in Cheektowaga on Harlem Road.

One day she decided she felt she needed to go back to the Broadway Market and for the past 2 years she has continued creating luscious treats for her customers at the place where her career started. Melanie has her ovens, mixers and decorating paraphernalia right at her fingertips. Ovens run all day long producing made form scratch cakes, pastries and cookies. Melanie works right in front of the customer giving her the ability to talk to the customer and be an ambassador of the market. She greets each customer with a smile and offers him or her a sample.

She always looks for opportunities to promote herself and the Broadway Market. She has very strong opinions and is not afraid to state them. “I wish we could have a free trolley or NFTA should provide a free bus from downtown to the market once a week or on Fridays and Saturdays to bring more customers in. The City is in a renaissance and the city officials should step-up and do more for the market.” says Melanie.

Check out her hand decorated cakes – the chicken cake is made form an antique mold she has had for years. You can always find her selling her prize-winning cannolis (never pre-filled so they do not get soggy), beautiful cakes and cookies at various events throughout the City. She will be at the Dyngus Day party at the Central Terminal, Monday March 24. Her work is beautiful, tasty and priced right.

EM Chrusciki is the other place that has a baking facility in the Market.
This place is the known for their placek (Coffee cake with luscious crumb topping), poppyseed roll, paczki (doughnuts), cookies and New York style cheesecake. Then, of course there is Cruschiki – those light whimsical pieces of twisted fried dough that has a dusting of confectioners sugar. Hmmm good!

All made by Hannah Robienek and her husband Ted who came from Poland 23 years ago. Hannah got a job with EM Cruscikis former owner Elizabeth P. Though Hannah could speak little English Mrs P, saw that Hannah had a good business sense and taught her the bakery ropes. A few years later the Robieneks bought the business and have turned it into a well-run wholesale and retail establishment. This time of the year the bakery runs around the clock producing their specialties for market customers and their wholesale outlets. Breads such as challah and rye are also sold this time of year.


White Eagle Bakery is another veteran of the Market, For 27 years they have had a presence and is known for the breads and pastries they sell. I often feature their breads in the classes I have taught as part of the Savor the Flavor of the Broadway Market cooking demonstrations we have done in the past. Rye bread is the hands down favorite. White Eagle a branch of the D&L Bakery, on Penora Street in Depew and goods are brought in fresh each day. Vienna, White, Italian and salt bread is available. All sizes and kinds of hard and soft rolls are ready to pick up for your sandwiches and dinners. Of course, they have a great selection of pastries including pastry hearts, danish and cookies. Hot cross buns are also a staple item this time of the year. These popular buns were among the earliest Easter treats, made by European monks and given to the poor during Lent. And White Eagle buns are the best.

Since Easter is the second most important candy-eating occasion of the year with Americans spending nearly $1.9 billion on Easter candy, it is good to tell you about a place where you can contribute your fair share of candy spending dollars. Molded chocolate and hand dipped fruits can be found at the market on a year round basis at Strawberry Island. The Dawidowicz Family has created a niche with their hand-dipped strawberries, pineapple, bananas and cherries and yes, peeps. They even dip Twinkies, Oreos, Pringles, pretzel rods, Nutter Butters and Rice Krispy Treats. Chocolate Covered popcorn is another specialty item.
Strawberry Island also sells some nostalgic treat Western New Yorkers long for. Crystal Beach suckers and sugar waffles, sponge candy, Loganberry syrup and the ever-famous chunks of Charlie Chaplin. This signature candy recipe is the original recipe from Grandison’s Chocolate, a former Broadway Market tenant. Milk, dark or orange chocolate is wrapped around marshmallows, nuts and coconut. Sugar free products are available for those with dietary restrictions.

As you can see the Broadway Market is the sweet place to go all year round. Special orders can be called in to anyone of these fine hometown businesses. You find Broadway Market Easter hours at www.broadwaymarket.com.

EM Chrusciki
999 Broadway
Buffalo, NY
893 -1464

White Eagle
999 Broadway
Buffalo, NY
896 -3949



Melanies Sweets
622 Main St.
Buffalo, NY
854-6700
or
999 Broadway
Buffalo, NY
895-1959

Strawberry Island
999 Broadway
Buffalo, NY
895-3279

posted by Sandy Starks @ 9:31 AM   0 comments

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