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Cosmi’s Pastries Rock!
Clemenza's command to
“Take the cannoli” is an apt phrase when walking into Cosmi’s Pastries on Oregon
Avenue. “They’re right up there,” states William Bianco, who was one of the
first customers on opening day six years ago.
Owner Greg Tenuto lets it
slip that the secret is a touch of home-made wine to the shell batter. How much?
Now, that’s the real secret! “Not only are the cannoli to die for, but the fruit
tarts, too,” enthuses patron Nicole Buonocore. “I actually have a lot of
specialty cakes made here. I can’t get them anywhere else.”
Tenuto has also saved a
piece of South Philadelphia history. The post-WWII outdoor sign is an icon,
painted in classic 1940s red with white neon tubing. It catches your eye right
away. Original to the store, Tenuto, has kept both sign and name as it was in
1947. “Cosmi’s was a household name for 60 years. We want to continue that
tradition,” he affirms. “We stand by our product 110%.”
Cosmi’s Pastries 1940s sign.
I’m also informed the
recipes used have been developed by Tenuto after long and arduous research. “We
built it up from scratch. Everything is handmade. We don’t use fancy machinery.
My bakers are Pat Criniti and Sal Butto. They are the best in what they do. I
also have a decorator named Reese. He’s an artist who turned his art into cake
decorating. He can freehand any image onto a cake with accuracy.”
Baker Pat Criniti prepares a pan of fresh pastries.
If you’re looking for the
attention-getting Masi Cake, a light and airy chocolate-chip chiffon cake with
rich butter cream and large white or dark chocolate shaved ribbons, it is now
exclusive to Cosmi’s. “It’s a popular cake for weddings and other big
celebrations. This is a famous cake. It was the only product The Masi Bakery
made. I now have the recipe and the name as well.” And another slice of South
Philadelphia history is saved. Thank you, Greg
Family is important to
Tenuto. “I would not be able to do what I do without the love and support from
my family. My wife Michell and my children, Lauren, Gregory Jr., and Tori give
me the inspiration.”
Some members of The Cosmi Family: Greg, Jeanie, Pat, Giahna, Ashley, Eleanor.
Working as he does a 70-
to 80-hour week, I inquire of Tenuto how he finds the energy for the long day.
“It’s all about how I was raised. My mother and father instilled a good work
ethic in me. My grandparents were the first owners of The Triangle Tavern, so I
come from a long line of hard workers. We do things old school.”
Giving back to the
community is part of that work ethic, also. “I support anything police or fire
or children, I do a lot of fundraising for autism research.”
Though we can’t eat our
cake and have it too, we can eat Cosmi’s Pastries and have them whenever we
want.
Cosmi’s Pastries
1221 Oregon Avenue
(215) 218-2001
www.cosmispastries.com
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