NOVEMBER 2 0 1 8 I BOROMAG.COM 21
BY REBECCA PATTON
@BECCAPATTONSAYS @BECCAPATTONSAYS
Astorians may have followed this
year's Queens Comfort saga — the
brunch fi xture shut its doors in February
of this year, then reopened in
Sugar Freak's former location just a
few blocks down 30th Avenue. Then,
in early October, a bright, pastel bakery
called Comfortland emerged in Queens
Comfort's old stomping ground. And while
the shop is aesthetically different from
Queens Comfort, they're both owned by
Donnie D’Alessio.
In fact, Comfortland is a family venture,
co-owned by D’Alessio; his sister, Montana
D'Alessio Barbieri; and their father, Donald
D’Alessio. And while it's rare for siblings to
go into business together (and for good
reason), D'Alessio Barbieri was enthusiastic
about the partnership.
“We get along so well; we're best friends,”
she said of D'Alessio. “He has the biggest
heart, and I'm not just saying that because
he's my brother.”
But why the move? For one, Queens Comfort
was cramped in the old location, according
to D’Alessio.
“It's crazy to think that we did what
we did in the space,” he said. “I give the
kitchen guys a lot of credit for being able
to do it for seven or eight years.” Not
to mention the fact that their lease was
about to run out; however, their landlord
still wanted them to stay. Thus, Comfortland
was born.
Comfortland's name started as a joke, according
to D’Alessio. He just threw it out during
Photos: BORO
their brainstorming stage, and it stuck.
“That was our fi rst instinct,” he said. “We
wanted something that felt right — it didn't
feel contrived or too cute or ironic or funny.”