for breaking news visit www.timesnewsweekly.com APRIL 16, 2015 • times 25 buzz dining out FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com Classic treats are like ‘Buttah’ BY KELLY MARIE MANCUSO editorial@ridgewoodtimes.com @timesnewsweekly For a unique twist on classic desserts, check out Buttah bakery, located a short walk from the DeKalb Avenue L train station at 377 Onderdonk Ave., between Stockholm and Stanhope streets, in Ridgewood. First opened in December, Buttah is the brainchild of local sisters and Christ the King High School alums Kristen and Stacey Viola. The Viola sisters were born and raised in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Stacey handles the many business and financial aspects of the bakery, while her sister Kristen is busy concocting recipes and desserts in the kitchen. Kristen first discovered her passion for baking back in high school during weekends spent at her grandmother’s side learning how to make cherished family recipes. “I come from a family of big bakers,” she said. Kristen’s hobby eventually evolved into a successful at-home business. After nearly four years, she decided to take her passion for baking to the next level and began the process of opening up a brickand mortar bake shop. “It was time to just do it,” she said. Buttah is housed within a bright and airy storefront directly across the street from St. Aloysius Church. The brushed steel countertops and glossy white subway tile-lined walls give the shop a vintage 1950s look. Large silver wire whisk pendant lamps and an ornate doorbell that reads, “Press for Cake” create a fun, playful vibe. Electric lilac chairs and marble cafe tables give a pop of color to the storefront windows. Cupcakes are artfully arranged on a collection of vintage jadeite and pastel milk glass cake plates. A bold pink neon sign with the shop’s logo, crafted locally by Robbie Ingui of Artistic Neon in Ridgewood, illuminates the wall behind the counter. Kristen’s Italian-American heritage inspired many of the delicious offerings at Buttah, including the Sesame Cookies ($1.75), which are based on her Aunt Mary’s recipe. “She’s been making them since we were kids,” Kristen said. One of the most popular offerings at BUTTAH 377 Onderdonk Ave., Ridgewood 347-833-7899 www.facebook.com/ButtahBakery Buttah is the classic Charlotte Russe ($3). The New York City version of the dessert was sold in candy shops and luncheonettes during the 1940s and ‘50s. “Customers either remember them and it brings back memories, or they have no idea what it is and want to try it,” Stacey said. The Charlotte Russe at Buttah is true to the original, combining a rich yellow sponge cake base and jam swirl topped with fresh whipped cream and a whole Maraschino cherry. The dessert is served in a little scalloped paper cup and, according to Kristen, is to be eaten “like a push-pop.” Other popular desserts include the pecan-encrusted red velvet cupcake ($3), coconut cream cupcake ($3) and the Brooklyn Blackout cupcake ($3), which is filled and topped with homemade chocolate pudding and coated in chocolate cake crumbs. The shop also takes special custom cake orders, and can render almost any cupcake flavor in cake form. In addition to dessert, Buttah also features many breakfast and brunch items. Their savory bacon, cheddar and chive scones and blue cheese, honey and date scones are baked fresh daily. They also serve up buttery slices of crumb cake to hungry morning crowds. Buttah uses fresh, local ingredients, such as 11385 Honey from Wilk Apiary in Glendale, in their baked goods. They also serve drip coffee from Irving Farm, freshly roasted upstate. The Violas chose Ridgewood because the close-knit community reminded them of their own upbringing in Brooklyn. “We found this neighborhood and it reminded us of what Williamsburg used to be like, with all of the families,” Kristen said. Buttah will be one of 20 local food vendors featured in the upcoming “Taste of Ridgewood” tasting and charity event at the Ridgewood YMCA on April 23 at 6:30 p.m. View Over 200 Reviews at queenscourier.com Beer Week coming to Ridgewood in May by Kelly Marie Mancuso editorial@ridgewoodtimes.com @timesnewsweekly Tapping into its past, Ridgewood will be playing host to the second annual Queens Beer Week, a nine-day celebration of Queens-based bars, beer and breweries that will run from May 8 to 17. With nine local breweries and over 70 borough-wide bars and restaurants participating, this year’s Queens Beer Week is poised to be bigger and more outrageous than the last. Daniel Bronson, beer enthusiast and manager of Crescent and Vine in Astoria, created Queens Beer Week as a way to celebrate and promote locally produced brews. “Queens has such a rich and diverse beer scene,” Bronson said. “We’re a borough home to some of the best neighborhood bars in the country. And although we have more breweries than any other borough, it was hard getting New Yorkers, even us here in Queens, to appreciate that.” With the opening of local breweries like Glendale’s Finback Brewery and Ridgewood’s Bridge and Tunnel and the much-anticipated Queens Brewery, the Greater Ridgewood area is quickly reclaiming its spot as the top brewing community in the borough. “There’s such a dynamic and young bar scene happening in Ridgewood,” Bronson said. “This, paired with these classic neighborhood local pubs, makes for a fantastic place to grab a drink.” This year’s Queens Beer Week kicks off on Friday, May 8, with the a special beer launch by LIC Beer Project, New York’s newest brewery, at Crescent and Vine, located at 25-03 Ditmars Blvd. in Astoria. On Saturday, May 9, Rich Castagna of Bridge and Tunnel Brewery will host the Ridgewood Beer Bar Scavenger Hunt at various bars throughout Ridgewood. Players will search for clues and hidden items at local hot spots such as Julia’s Beer and Wine Bar, The Monk Ale House, Onderdonk and Sons, Bleachers Sports Bar and Queens Tavern, all while enjoying the best beer Queens has to offer. The official Queens Beer Week Kick-Off Party will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 10, at LIC Landing, located at 52-10 Vernon Blvd. in Long Island City. The event will feature samples and tastings from all of the Queens breweries, including Queens Beer Week IPA, a special collaboration beer made specifically for Queens Beer Week by Singlecut Beersmiths and Barrier Brewing Company. The brew, described by Bronson as “a very modern, juicy and fruit-forward IPA,” will be available at bars throughout Queens during Beer Week. On Thursday, May 14, the film “Blood, Sweat and Beer,” a documentary by filmmaker Chip Hiden chronicling the evolution of two start-up breweries, will premiere at Singlecut Beersmiths, located at 19-33 37th St. in Astoria. In addition to pours of Singlecut beer, viewers will also be treated to beer-inspired popcorn from Ma and Pa Kettle Corn, Co. On Saturday, May 16, Long Island City-based breweries such as LIC Beer Project, Big Alice Brewing, Rockaway Brew Co. and Transmitter Brewing will offer tours and beer samples throughout the day. This is an excellent chance to meet the local brewers and discover diverse, locally made beer. “I love beer from everywhere,” Bronson said, “but there’s a magic at work when you’re drinking something made down the block from you. It’s so fresh and vibrant. Incomparable!” Queens Beer Week 2015 wraps up on Sunday, May 17, with the Finback Brewery Anniversary Celebration. Finback founders Kevin Stafford and Basil Lee created a new brew in honor of their one-year anniversary. Their new Barrel-Aged Plum and Proper, described as “a smoky sour dark ale brewed with fresh plums,” will be available in Finback’s taproom, located at 78-01 77th Ave. in Glendale. Although the focus of the festivities is primarily on the beer, Bronson hopes the nine-day celebration will have a greater impact on the borough: “Queens Beer Week is really about supporting our local economy and giving people a good excuse to spend a couple of extra bucks having a good time in Queens.” For more information on events, visit queensbeerweek.com. TIMES NEWSWEEKLY/Photo By Kelly Mancuso The Finback Brewery tap room in Glendale.
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