By Amy Yurcan
Am I in defense of Queens because I live there? You betcha! Would I trumpet the glories of Ditmar's Boulevard's finest bakery even if it wasn't around the corner from the fab one-bedroom I share with my hubby and child? Maybe not, but since it is, I will, and in this era of Park Slope's transition into the new UES, as my generation's singletons begin to become families and the real estate just across the bridge from either of the more desirable boroughs, in Astoria and Long Island City, looks more enticing with every yearly rent increase, Martha's Bakery is one of the many reasons that this mama will hold on to that one-bedroom for dear life! For those of you considering a move to the most culturally diverse of boroughs for your own family as well as for those of you already snuggled into my Old World Old New York nabe who have yet to appreciate its full sweetness, I invite you to peek into my world for a moment, a sip, and a nibble.
Sitting securely, but not too proudly on the corner of Ditmars Ave near Steinway Street is my favorite excuse to take a detour from whence I'm going: Martha's Country Bakery! A walk to the playground, trip to the laundromat or dash to the market for a last-minute dinner ingredient rarely ends without a walk through the doors, a perch on the patio or a peek in the window at all things good and delicious. I'll admit that hubby and I have planned date nights more than once with the exclusive plan to have a reason to sip cappuccino (him) and eat gelato (ME!) under the cozy comfort of Martha's outdoor awning. I rarely bring cash when I pop in, as the $15 credit card minimum insists that I grab not only the odd treat, but more, more and more for later! (At a super-reasonable NYC price of $4 for a slice of the best peanut butter mousse cake I've ever had, $15 buys more indeed!) With the days of rock 'n roll dives behind me and coffee bars that moonlight as wine "bars" in my now, the best possible "round-the-corner haunt is one where date night, school birthday cupcakes and Sunday afternoon company pie purchases roll into one, and Martha's is just that place.
Rows of feel-good Fall pies, tiered trays of treats and a freezer of authentic gelato (Hazelnut please!) are almost as much reason to sit for a spell as the staff. If you don't speak Greek, be prepared to point your desired order out on the menu board or in the display case, but the warm smiles and free samples (my 13-month-old Olive rarely leaves without a taste of gelato or complimentary cookie in paw) are worth the chance that you may have to repeat your order a time or two until you get the swing of things. While you shouldn't expect to hear contemporary folk music over your cup of tea, nor would you want to. For all intents and purposes other than yummy treats and frothy cappuccino, Starbucks is a few blocks away. It's not an accident that the menu at Martha's insists that your tush on one of their chairs is only welcome for 30 minutes after your order is filled. And wi-fi? No way.
My critiques? There aren't high chairs available, and while my husband heralds the merits of their specialty coffee drinks my plain ol' black cuppa leaves something to be desired in the taste department. As for gluten-free or vegan options? Not a chance! The outdoor seating, perfect baked goods and smile on Olive's face as she gobbles one of Martha's cookies more than make up for that. Besides, as I said, Starbucks is around the corner if you really need your mud. Now pardon me please, as I wash the plate that shows the last signs of of the peanut butter mousse cake that was my lunch...
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