on Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Stow, Hartville bakeries making blast from past
If Akron had an official cake, it would be either the sponge and custard cake sold at Ninni's, Vincent's and other Italian bakeries, or the banana-pineapple cake sold for years at Budd's.
We're short one cake these days. Budd's closed a year ago and may never reopen. As I reported in August (and again here for those who missed the item and have called to inquire), Budd's owner Jim Montgomery is enjoying being a stay-at-home dad. The economy, too, is playing a role in his decision not to reopen the bakery now or maybe ever.
Anyway, to fill the cake gap, I nominate Red Velvet. The 1950s cake, dyed a deep red and slathered with white frosting, disappeared along with Howdy Doody from most areas of the country. But not the Akron area. We still eat it up.
So far, I've found Red Velvet cake at Osman's Pies in Stow (and stores that carry Osman's products) and Nicolino's Baking Emporium in the Hartville Market Place.
If you spot a Red Velvet cake elsewhere, let me know. The area's gastronomic reputation may depend upon it.
Coffee and chocolates
Patty Renner may have found the perfect combination: coffee and chocolate. She opened her second espresso and chocolate shop last week, and moved her invitations business from the Wallhaven area of Akron to the new shop at 25 Ghent Road, Fairlawn, in the plaza anchored by the Grapevine Cafe.
Renner's first espresso shop, Coco's Coffee Bar, is a popular spot in Wallhaven (the invitations business was separate). The new shop, Coco's Coffee and Fine Chocolates, is larger, with plenty of room for the wedding and party invitations Renner sells.
"We're trying to give it a more upscale, Soho feel -- very comfortable but a bit more stylized," Renner said.
Renner designed the interior to reflect the mood of a favorite vintage poster -- an outtake of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's, wearing sunglasses and peering in a shop window. The poster hangs in the coffee shop.
The shop sells hot and frozen coffee and tea drinks, muffins, scones, biscotti and a wide selection of luxury chocolates. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. The phone is 330-836-2100.
Taste of Medina winners
The Medina Steakhouse and Saloon and the Main Street Cafe, both in Medina, were double winners at the recent Taste of Medina, an annual cooking competition and fund-raiser for the Medina County United Way.
The Steakhouse won engraved dinner plate awards for best entree for its escolar with lobster sauce, and best appetizer for its deep-fried artichokes with lemon sauce.
The Cafe won for its Italian muffuletta sandwich and pumpkin tiramisu dessert.
Other winners were the Galaxy in Wadsworth, best vegetarian dish, Cuban rice; and Rustic Hills Country Club, best side dish, vegetable Napoleon. Eighteen restaurants competed in the event, which raised $19,000.
Jane Snow was the Beacon Journal's food writer. She can be reached at janesnow@akrobiz.com Please put "food" in the subject line. Because of computer viruses, she will not open e-mail with other subject headings.
