It’s that time of year where the weather calls for a frozen drink. It’s also iced coffee and ice cream season. Put the three together and you have Crema di Caffè, a silky cream-based mousse piped from a machine that’s a cross between soft serve and espresso.
So where can you find this cold, creamy caffeinated pick-me-up? The following five Westchester spots offer the best versions of this spoonable summer treat.
Abbiocco Salumeria & Focacceria, Dobbs Ferry
This newcomer — it’s been open since January — is like stepping into a corner pasta shop in Naples where chef Vincenzo Adamo is from (he owns the shop with his wife, Elda). Naturally, that means offering the chilled, velvety Crema di Caffè. Here, it’s made with Kimbo, one of Naple’s most iconic coffee brands. Topping it off: whipped cream and cocoa powder.
Other musts: the housemade pasta and focaccia. The shop also carries a curated selection of imported Italian salami, cheeses, and baked goods. 86 Main St., 929-543-8814, abbioccosalumeria.com.
Apposto, Mamaroneck
Fulvio Salza is all about Italian authenticity. So, when he opened his sandwich shop July 21, he made sure to have crema on the menu exactly as he experienced when he was a kid visiting his mom’s native Pentone, a small town in the mountains of Calabria. “I wanted to share with people something that brings me back to Italy” he said. “I used to go to the bar across the street from our house at least twice a day to order their Crema di Caffè.”
Once he found a way to make it — and once he opened his own place — it was a no-brainer putting it on his menu. Luckily, people are catching on little by little, he said, and those who don’t know about it are soon just as addicted. 414 Mamaroneck Ave., 914-315-1977, appostosandwichshop.com.
Crema Caffè, Eastchester
This place is so passionate about its crema its owners named their cafe after it. The idea started 11-years ago with TVB by: Pax Romana, the Italian restaurant owned by Paul Russo. Russo saw it become such a hit, he thought it could be expanded. The proof is in the pudding, so to speak, and is all about great ingredients. “Real expresso instead of artificial flavors,” said Russo, “The style roast of that espresso changes everything.”
He and his business partner Dominick Montemurro also have their own additional ingredients that give it an extra touch. They’re also constantly monitoring the temperature and settings, so the crema maintains a specific texture/consistency.
Plus, look for more delishness to come. The cafe is expanding into the space next door come mid-October with dinner, wine and Westchester’s first Amaro bar. 9 Sunnyside Terrace, cremacaffe-eastchester.com.
La Lanterna, Yonkers
Owner TJ Tarone says his Crema di Caffè hits differently. “It’s this cold, sweet, creamy whipped coffee that tastes like extra fluffy cold whipped cream but with full coffee flavor.”
“Super smooth, rich and addictive, most spots don’t have it so we’re one of the few just trying to do it right.”
Paired with the restaurant’s Instagram-worthy outdoor patio — and a generous dollop of whipped cream and caramel drizzle — it literally melts in your mouth. Tarone said his parents used to make it for him as a kid, turning his restaurant version into “home in a cup.” 23 Gray Oaks Ave., 914-476-3060, lalanterna.com.
TVB by: Pax Romana, White Plains
Pax Romana broke the mold with its “no pasta, no party” motto when it opened in 2016, bringing Roman-style pizza to Westchester along with its now famous Crema di Caffè. The popularity of this frozen espresso prompted owner Paul Russo to branch out with the separate Crema Caffè, which opened last June in Eastchester. Both are made the same way, with special attention to roast and ingredients, offering diners an indulgent treat that merges a cooling summer drink with a rich coffee dessert. 171 E Post Road, 914-831-3303, paxromanany.com.
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Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Icy caffeine, Italian flair: How to find Crema di Caffè in Westchester
Reporting by Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News | USA TODAY Network
