[VILLAGERBB]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I’m from Boston. We have Scala bread which I can’t seem to find anywhere.

What is Scala bread? We love crusty Italian @ Gio's.

[Rose Ann Vinci Igoe]

Originally Posted by jerseygurl

bottom line you will not find any italian bread or pastry like in ny or nj and perhaps boston.

amen nailed it.

[Caterking]

What street in Avalon? I grew up there......

[EBZ06]

I, for one, am gobsmacked by the fact that are NO (decent) ethnic groceries closer than the terrific Mazzaros in St. Pete. Originally out of NYC, I am used to an abundance of Italian/German/Polish Delicatessens selling homemade sausage, potato salad, sandwiches, and assorted delicacies. When we arrived here we attempted to find real Italian Specialty (ring) sausage. Nah. In NY we used to find Premio as a reasonable substitute in the supermarkets. Not here. Calling Premio got me the offer of a dry ice case of sausage shipped from Jersey. They only distribute "regular sausage" in Florida. Florida where it seems1/2 the population of every northern metropolitan area retires to. Good ethnic Delis would do a 'land office' business here. My disappointment remains 10 years later. "What's up with that"?

[PJMuzz29]

Yahala in Howey in the Hills

[JoMar]

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

A bakery inside The Villages? You must be kidding. No specialized bakery could afford the rents charged here.

Gio on 301 was suggested, but it’s more a restaurant than a bakery. Yahala is an excellent German bakery, but it’s about an hour’s drive from the central Villages.

They have takeout and the bread is pretty good. Not great but better than other places we used around here.

[BostonRich]

Found this yesterday at Walmart on 466. Close as we have come and probably the best alternative. It's not bad actually and might satisfy your craving. Close your eyes and imagine the North End.

[Aloha1]

So, how are doing, Sir Winston? Out of hospital?

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by BostonRich

Found this yesterday at Walmart on 466. Close as we have come and probably the best alternative. It's not bad actually and might satisfy your craving. Close your eyes and imagine the North End.

It might be fresh but the crust will not have any crispness to it. We always do the squeeze test.

[herbaru]

Where in Boca? I’m there often.

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Trying to find any ethnic ANYTHING is a challenge here. That said, you can find a decent cannoli at Giovanni's. You won't find a proper bialy anywhere in Central Florida, but my dad claims he saw one once in Boca.

For challah, buy me the ingredients and I'll make you a couple loaves. Otherwise, good luck - Boca will be your closest bet.

For GOOD Italian cookies, you can order Veniero's out of East Village in NYC through "Goldbelly."

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by herbaru

Where in Boca? I’m there often.

Pick a kosher deli/bakery. There are a bunch of them. Any of them will be better than the stuff they call challah here (except maybe mine).

[John Mayes]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Pick a kosher deli/bakery. There are a bunch of them. Any of them will be better than the stuff they call challah here (except maybe mine).

Well, now you’ve done it!! We need proof. LOL!!!

[ChicagoNative]

Looking for Chicago-style apple slices, cake donuts, shortbread and butter cookies, long Johns, and cherry coffee cakes. The grocery store stuff is mediocre. Miz Kathys is too foo-foo fondant forward.

I agree with others that for as many northerners that call the villages home, the ethnic selections, and restaurants in general are blah. Expensive doesn’t mean good.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by ChicagoNative

Looking for Chicago-style apple slices, cake donuts, shortbread and butter cookies, long Johns, and cherry coffee cakes. The grocery store stuff is mediocre. Miz Kathys is too foo-foo fondant forward.

I agree with others that for as many northerners that call the villages home, the ethnic selections, and restaurants in general are blah. Expensive doesn’t mean good.

Didn't you all know about those selections before moving here?

[ChicagoNative]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

Didn't you all know about those selections before moving here?

Um, no I didn’t research bakeries before moving here. Mea culpa!