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kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1058
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 9, 2006 - 9:04 pm: | 
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I think I have died and gone to heaven!
Cranes is now selling pastries from Balthazar (NYC) starting at 7:00AM!
I can now get a pane chocolate (sp?) in my hometown....
This is really, really a good thing for my household. I have been going on and on about how we need a butcher and a baker in town. This is darn close to a freakin' good baker being actually in town!
Yipee!!! |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1349
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 9, 2006 - 9:10 pm: |
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This is very exciting news! (btw: pain au chocolat) |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 3077
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 9, 2006 - 10:01 pm: |
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hey - no matter how you spell it... YUM!! |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1060
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 9:05 am: |
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I just bought four pastries for breakfast!
I am trying a little of everything today...I admit that I got the last pain au chocolat (thanks) and it was just as it was meant to be.
The chocolate was very high quality and the pastry perfectly flaky...I was too eager to even warm it up, but imagine if it was just slightly warmed.
I am sipping coffee too...yum, yum yum.
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SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 3080
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 9:51 am: |
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I left one for you... you're welcome.  Brought one in for my co-worker and one for me.... they were SO, SO good.. just like I remember them. |
helen
Citizen
Username: Helen
Post Number: 42
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 2:09 pm: |
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What's the deal with - "Balthazar's"?! I never even heard of the place and just this month we catered two parties that requested the "Balthazar Seafood Towers" (We did our research, got the equipment - and it went wonderfully!)
This place seems to be quite the trend! I'll have to check out these pastries - as we may be asked to provide them too!! (It's great to know that Crane's can get them!!) Pane Chocolate (well anything "chocolate") sounds wonderful!! - Helen (Freeman's Fish Market) |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1070
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 3:16 pm: |
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Balthazar is a French Bistro in NYC that has been around for almost 6 years I think.
It is very authentic and their chef does incredible things with seafood. Their Brandade de? Morue is very authentic for example. It is potatoes whipped with salt-cod that has been soaked and flaked etc.all blended together with a garlic bechamel. (Sorry my French spelling is so dreadful!) They also have a big WOW factor with their seafood towers and raw bar items.
Martha Stuart referred to them frequently when she was on the air and they have at least one cookbook out as well.
It is a hopping joint at all hours with lots of people watching. As I have said before - it is one of our favorite early morning stops before a big day in the city with our little kids. |
Hamandeggs
Citizen
Username: Hamandeggs
Post Number: 201
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 6:57 pm: |
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I just finished teaching Romeo and Juliet. Romeo's servant/confidante is named Balthasar, and I was reminded of their pastries everyday during R&J. I'd like to think it was named for the character. |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1215
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 7:06 pm: |
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In addition to the wonderful-looking pastries from Balthazar (if seafood isn't your thing, try the bar steak or just about anything else at the restaurant - very yummy!), Crane's own home-made muffins are great, especially with their iced coffee...and that's just breakfast. I'm so pleased to have Cranes in town. |
AntoninaKC
Citizen
Username: Antoninakc
Post Number: 193
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 7:25 pm: |
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The only question left to ask is.. Where is Cranes?!? |
Shashalagoumba
Citizen
Username: Shashalagoumba
Post Number: 50
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 10:11 pm: |
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Balthazar's is an exceptional experience for dining! 80 Spring St., NY 212-965-1414. I would suggest reservations. IMHO, I love what Crane's in Maplewood Village is doing! Yummies from the Sullivan Street Bakery and now Balthazar, in addition to their own good food. Keep on the intuitive path! |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1314
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 11:01 pm: |
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I went on Sat. afternoon. No chocolate croissants left. |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 729
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 6:59 am: |
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AntoninaKC- Cranes is in Maplewood Village on Maplewood Avenue between Highland and Baker- a few doors to the left of Maplewood Stationers or a couple of doors up from Town Video.
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msg
Citizen
Username: Msg
Post Number: 183
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 7:01 am: |
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I especially crave their [Cranes] scones. Sour cherry, apricot, ham and cheese. The sticky buns are amazing. |
michael brant
Citizen
Username: Mbrant
Post Number: 126
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 3:54 pm: |
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I WENT SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:30 THEY WERE CLOSED. WHAT GOOD IS A BREAKFAST PASTRY IF YOU CAN NOT ENJOY IT FOR BREAKFAST? I WILL NOT GO BACK |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12904
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 4:24 pm: |
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Crane's is a very small business. He's closed all day on Sundays. A man needs time with his family. Give him a try again.
His scones are very good. I'm afraid to try the pain au chocolat because I was in France this past August, and, well, you know...
Ooh! Look what I just found! http://www.cranesdeli.com/index.php
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kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1074
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 4:59 pm: |
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I bought extra on Saturday and used them for sandwiches on Sunday! (I knew they would be closed.)
I confess...I also went today...I am addicted. |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1317
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 9:38 pm: |
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Michael Brant: I have the same complaint and same feeling as you the first few times I went on Sunday to find them closed. I must be slow and keep forgetting. Anyway, TS and I were in the store last Saturday, and the owner told us that he is intending on being open 7 days a week. It's just taking him longer than he expected. I told him I thought it was a GREAT idea (especially since we need break on Sundays for our family), but didn't bother to probe him on what this is contingent upon. So give it a few months and try again.
I also wouldn't give up on Cranes because the place COMPLETELY ROCKS!!! I have to say the even though I think the prices are just a tad high on some items I do feel like it is usually worth it because the quality is VERY high on all of their products. Cranes DEFINITELY is a huge asset to our town. |
Scott
Citizen
Username: Selnychef
Post Number: 78
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 10:56 pm: |
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The pastries are coming from Balthazar Bakery located in Englewood NJ. They ship their product into the city and especially Whole foods. They started out at the restaurant on Spring Street, but realized they had a gem and now wholesale to some of the best restaurants in the city. I was able to tour the bakery and was amazed at the attention to detail that went on. The breads are baked on stone hearths which give the bread a great crust. I watched the croissants get their final spray of butter before they are cooked. (It's done with a paint sprayer).
Great product and made in New Jersey. Can't wait for them to deliver past Morristown. |
davidbuckley
Citizen
Username: Davidbuckley
Post Number: 486
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 10:59 pm: |
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Yeah, Cranes is cool. For all of the aforementioned reasons. Finding good people is, I believe, probably the most limiting factor for a business like this. Any business? Yeah, any business.
For example, the cheese lady who used to work there was really good, knowledgeable and friendly. I don't think they've been able to replace her and hope that they will be able to do so. If more people shop there, they'll have a more varied selection which WILL HELP KEEP ME OUT OF WHOLE FOODS!
Sorry for shouting...
Michael, do give Cranes another try and hope they can hire enough good people to open Sundays as it seems they want to do.
Be and eat well, all.
David |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1077
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 9:13 am: |
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Whole Foods may get the Balthazar bread from Englewood but the pastries that they sell come from some other bakery.
I would love for Crane's to be open on Sunday. Even being open at 9:00AM on Saturday is a huge help....I once wanted an entire picnic lunch packed and ready to go at 10:00AM but they weren't open yet.
I agree that weekends is when I will use them most. Pastries and coffee after church and late day lunches on Saturdays after yard work! |
michael brant
Citizen
Username: Mbrant
Post Number: 130
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 10:26 am: |
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I will go this Saturday morning! |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12930
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 3:00 pm: |
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Alleygater, PLEEEEZE don't take this as an insult. You seem hard to please, so your praise for Crane's seems like high praise indeed.
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Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1318
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 12:30 am: |
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Tom, not an insult at all. I have my own food issues being vegetarian (but hating a lot of vegetables), I'm accustomed to high quality food for a reasonable price due to living downtown in Manhattan for so long. So I would say I am hard to please. It's a fair assessment.
In my last post I meant to say I need BREAD (the Pane Pugliese is AMAZING and it comes from Spring Street Bakery in Soho) but wrote "break" instead. To be honest taking loaves of bread and pastries to my in-laws a few Sundays a month I actually could use a break. If I could pick up my bread on Sunday that sure would be a good break. Now if I could only find AMAZINGLY FRESH Italian Pastries (better than Bovella's in Westfield) closer to us, I'd be set.
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Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 5331
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 7:48 am: |
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Rumor has it Steve Crane sleeps in the basement now so they can open bright and early. I walked in there yesterday and saw the display of the now famous breakfast treats. It felt like an "MOL Things To Do In Maplewood" moment.
Alley,
Conca D'Ora in Union Center makes excellent Italian pastries..not a wide selection, but what they do make is top notch. Senora DiPietro also makes very good sfogliatelle sometimes on Sundays. |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 752
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 8:24 am: |
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Alley- I just went to a bakery in Summit that I have passed for years (I work in Summit)and was blown away by the Italian delicacies...things that I used to only see in North Newark on Bloomfield Avenue when my in-laws lived there. The bakery is called: Natales on Broad Street. It is truly worth the trip... |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1078
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 8:44 am: |
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I just left Cranes with 4 more pastries (hey - my kids like ham on a croissant for lunch too)and someone in front of me had just bought 6!
Was this another MOLer?
I am on the Invisalign diet, so to speak, and my daily consumption of "bread and chocolate" will definately replenish any missed calories! |
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 5333
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 9:41 am: |
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BGS,
I think Natales is the best all-purpose bakery in the general area. Glad you liked it. They arent specifically an Italian bakery though...really good bread, buns, cakes, etc. |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 755
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 10:01 am: |
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Hank- I guess I knew that but I was so excited to see the Italian specialties that I remembered from Newark that I did not report on the other things.....
They also have incredible pound bake that tastes like pure butter!!
Ciao!
B |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1328
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 2:33 pm: |
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I need SPECIFICALLY Italian Pastries. And they have to be fresh and tasty (to compare with ones you'd get in NYC or Brooklyn). Someone mentioned a place in Bloomfield as being better than Bovellas but I never found it.
Any other suggestions? I'll check out Natales though for sure. |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1391
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 3:07 pm: |
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Alley - I think the place in Bloomfield might be
Gencarelli's Bakery
446 Broad St, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
973) 743-1480
My sister-in-law who used to live there swore by that place, and we got a great Napolean cake there once that was to die for. |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 759
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 3:18 pm: |
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Gencarelli's is where my husband's aunt brings us pastries from when she is visiting. Also very good. But she buys other things (like pizza bread and a certain kind of cake) at DiPaolo's on Bloomfield Avenue near Cedar Grove....
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Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1333
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 6:48 pm: |
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Thanks you Lil and BGS, I'll have to check it out. |
Georgie
Citizen
Username: Georgie
Post Number: 102
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 2:30 pm: |
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I went for the first time today to Crane's and it was amazing. I got the turkey and cranberry hot sandwhich and it was plenty. I also had their iced coffe which was great too (what coffe do they use again?).
I asked my daughter (who is two) if she wanted the muffin or the chocolate croissant (from Balthazar) and she opted for the croissant. Unfortunately when I put in front of her she swung her arm and pushed it on the floor and said "No, muffin!". Not only was I embarrassed but what a waste. One of the workers was so nice and he gave us a muffin for free.
I did notice that they are open M-F at 7am and I belive 9am on the weekends.
Can't wait to go back! |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1128
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 2:58 pm: |
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Their BLT is "to die for"! Try that next...
My kids have informed me that they think the pain au chocolat at Cranes is superior because there are TWO stripes of chocolate inside!
They now eat them down each side like corn on the cob and then they finish the middles. |
John Caffrey
Citizen
Username: Jerseyjack
Post Number: 144
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 6:46 pm: |
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RE: Natales,
When they are not busy (this is rare), ask if Paul is there. He usually is. If so, pick up a cardboard coffee cup and empty a packet of Swiss Miss chocolate into it. Take it dry to Paul and ask him for his special whipped cream hot chocolate.
JC |
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