Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8.0)
Ciao, Gloria is an Italian-American daytime café and bakery in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.
From iconic Red Hook bakeshop, Baked, Renato Poliafito and Ginger Fisher Baldwin are the geniuses behind this welcomed and praised addition to the neighborhood. When you first walk in you will be struck by the minimalist Japanese and Copenhagen-inspired design, and warm natural light pouring in, and just wait until you see the counter full of baked goods. They’ve got everything from croissants filled with fresh pistachio crema, Neapolitan tri-color bars, olive oil citrus bundt cakes, and bomboloni to cinnamon rolls and chocolate chunk cookies.
And you’re in luck. After a brief hiatus due to COVID-19, Ciao, Gloria will be back in business starting Friday, May 8th! The deets:
Hours: 9AM - 3PM
Takeout: Come on in and place a takeout order. Facemask required + social distancing rules in effect. Currently operating as a cashless establishment.
Pickup: Call the cafe ahead of time to place a special order (ie. WHOLE CAKES, bundts, coffee boxes, cookies + brownie boxes, morning pastry boxes, etc.)
Delivery: Place your orders on Caviar
And if you would like to continue to support Ciao, Gloria further, please consider buying a gift card, or give to the Ciao, Gloria Fund so the cafe can continue to serve the neighborhood.
Some Accolades: Finalist for Eater NYC’s best bakery of the year award and considered “pastry heaven” by Bon Appetit
The Goods
Pastries
Feast your eyes on their iconic pastry window, loaded with everything from apricot crostatas to bomboloni (Italian stuffed donuts). On a weekend, you’ll typically find us opting for a cinnamon roll -- she comes warmed and covered in a cream-cheese icing. It’s the dough ball of comfort that you need in your life right now, and you might want to order a couple for the road!
Mushroom Ricotta Toast
If you’re in the mood for something savory (but you’re a vegetarian like we are), you must be ordering the mushroom ricotta toast. House made ricotta and sautéed mushrooms and herbs piled high on grilled, seeded sourdough.
AVEC
Avocado, frittata, cheddar, special sauce on house made brioche with everything seasoning. The brioche is pillowy and the sweetness of it is a perfect complement to the salty everything seasoning, cheddar, and special sauce. The ideal start to any and every morning.
Frittata + Greens
This boujee, yet humble frittata is a masterpiece of fluffy, baked eggs with cream, potato, pecorino and chives. Dressed with a side of fresh greens and aioli. And yes, you can and should dip this babe in their house-made aioli.
Roasted Vegetable Sandwich
The bright, hearty sandwich you need to cure all the quarantine blues in your life. Seasonal roasted vegetables, pesto spread, ricotta and ricotta salata all on top of house made focaccia. A Nom favorite.
Drinks
Ciao, Gloria comes in hot with their classic Italian coffees with a *west coast* twist, using Verve coffee. Don’t sleep on their matcha, chai, and juices (that aren’t $20 and will cure all of your hangovers).