Buttercooky adds vibrant café
As if the assortment of cakes, cookies and pastries at Buttercooky of Manhasset wasn’t enough, the popular Plandome Road bakery is now further extending its services with the addition of an adjacent café.
“I’ve really been so blessed and so fortunate over the years,” said Benny Borgognone, seasoned pastry chef and owner of Buttercooky, amid a crowd of supportive patrons. “I’m just trying to give the people of the community what they want, and they seem to be liking it so far.”
The Borgognone family, longtime residents of Manhasset, welcomed locals, town officials and friends to the official grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on the morning of Friday, Feb. 17. The day was met with much anticipation from all those who attended, as the opening date had to be postponed because of a snowstorm the previous week.
Due to the consistent influx of customers over the past 12 years, the idea to expand seemed instinctive. Since its opening in 2005, the Manhasset-based location has been enticing locals with its fresh-baked cookies, cakes, pies and more, but the new cafe will present a range of breakfast, lunch and snacks of both the sweet and savory variety.
“There’s crepes, eggs, paninis, waffles, soups, salads, quiches, parfaits and acai bowls, which are really popular right now,” said Alyssa, Benny’s daughter and a freshman at Manhasset High School. “My friends all love it here. They come during school for lunch, and I just think it’s going to be a great new hangout spot.”
Francesco, one of Benny’s sons who works at the Floral Park location, shared similar feelings regarding the extension of the already popular bakery.
“We don’t have too many cafes in the area, and this place has such a good atmosphere it just makes you want to come in and keep coming back,” said Francesco. “My dad puts so much passion into this business, and I’m just so blessed to be a part of this dynasty he’s created.”
Borgognone flaunts inherent expertise in the creation of baked goods, the result of being raised by a long line of bakers with successful shops across Manhattan and Queens. But in order to maintain a functioning cafe with items other than pastries, Borgognone has had to recruit a fresh crop of experienced chefs, all of whom he is confident will only add to Buttercooky’s existing reputation for quality products.
Besides simply offering mouthwatering menu items, the revamped corner bakery aims to continue making its mark as a family-oriented community staple, adding to the charm of the community that the Borgognone family has called home for more than 25 years.
“This is a place now on Plandome Road where people can come and feel like they’re at home,” said Barbara, his wife. “Everyone who’s here today and the people who come regularly are like family, where everyone can be on a first name basis.”
This recent addition of the cafe is an exciting step forward for Buttercooky, whose rich history dates back to the 1960s.
Touting the slogan “baked with butter makes it better,” the first Buttercooky, located in Floral Park, opened its doors to the public in 1962. Due to overwhelming demand, a second location was established in Manhasset in 2005. That storefront has since seized on the available vacant space next door, allowing for a large cafe with ample seating.
“People can come and just sit and relax with their food,” said Borgognone about the added space. “I think this is something everyone from around the community will get really excited about.”
For more information, visit www.buttercookybakery.com or call 516-627-1600.
