Bella Vita Coffee & Cream

Working my way through their selections and today I tried their coconut stick. If you get it, I recommend using a knife and fork, because while it's delicious as is, it's worth it to try the components on their own. The pastry strikes just the right balance between soft and flaky, the icing is creamy and sweet without being cloying, and the coconut flakes are a little crunchy, a little chewy, and just sweet enough to delight the taste buds. Also not to be missed are their gelatos. So far I've tried Cookie Butter, which satisfies sweet and salty cravings, and The Barn, with peanut butter and caramel surrounded by rich chocolate. I think it removed my original review, so in summary...Calm and relaxing environment, great and friendly staff, delicious chocolate croissant, and today...loved the parmesan leek croissant. Black Sesame ice cream: not a combination I would have imagined, but it works. The initial flavor is a little earthy, but it mellows out to kind of a nutty taste enhanced by vanilla. Egg and cheese breakfast sandwich: done to perfection on a brioche bun. Chocolate chip cookie: very large, but surprisingly light and delicate for its size, and thoroughly satisfying. The consistency hits the sweet spot between cake and cookie, with enough chips to appease your taste for chocolate, while not overwhelming the salty-buttery goodness. 2/01 First visit of the new month. Today I tried a latte and cherry Danish. The latte was masterfully crafted, complete with a design on top. Satisfyingly smooth and creamy from start to finish. The Danish had a good amount of cherry. That and the glaze blended in well with the pastry--sometimes the icing can flake off and the filling be inadequate, but neither was the case here, and it was just the softness I like it at. 2/03: tried the blueberry Danish today. So, everything I said above for cherry, but with blueberry. Also tried the ube ice cream, which derives from south Asian yams. Not quite sure how to assess it. Didn't dislike it. Very creamy and dense. Slight vanilla flavor; each bite is a little different, with occasional hints of berry flavor. So, hard to classify, but certainly not bad. Lastly, had the salted caramel ice cream, which was a flavorful sensation with its ribbons of homemade caramel. 2/05 Couple of repeats today--latte and warmed chocolate croissant. Both excellent. Also, I will note that the croissant warmed is tender enough to be cut with a fork. Just tried one of the brownies. The best way I can describe it is--imagine the best hot chocolate you've ever had, baked and concentrated into the most delectable bite of cake you've ever eaten. 2/07 Today's taste sensation--the croissant donut, or cronut. I've heard of these for a long time, but never found a place that sold them. But I assure you, it was worth the wait. Pretty much like it sounds, layers of croissant pastry in a doughnut shape, but denser than a regular croissant, and topped with a tempting glaze. I recommend having it warmed up. 2/10 Indecisive today, so I gave the server four ice cream flavors and he picked two to put into a small serving. Those two were: Bordeaux Cherry Chip: normally not a fan of fruit and chocolate, but the cherry flavor is very strong, so the chocolate chips add more texture than flavor, which made for a great combo; very good. Mounds: intense coconut flavor, but in this case, you could really taste the chocolate chips too. A delicious tropical taste on a chilly winter day. So, great picks by the server and his coworker, who also gave his input. 2/12 Today's new try was the chocolate chocolate muffin. Had it warmed up, and since it's gluten-free, you feel like you can eat 10, which you'll want to after one bite, which reveals luscious chunks of melted chocolate within. Also tried the butter pecan ice cream. Very dense and rich. Notes of caramel are enhanced by a slight astringency provided by the pecan chunks and halves. 2/15 Avocado toast: avocado tops the whole grain toast, along with goat cheese, arugula, and a balsamic reduction. Superb!