July 20, 2006
The Hungry Cabbie Eats The Outer Boroughs: Corona Bakery
There used to be a bakery on 31st Avenue between 34th and 35th Street in Astoria called Martha’s. This modest, narrow storefront was loved by every sweet tooth in the neighborhood. Martha’s Country Bakery was renowned for its delectable hamantashen, yogurt pound cakes, and red velvet cupcakes. But that 31st Avenue location shut down almost a year ago.
It was replaced by something called Corona Bakery. The new facade was sterile and impersonal. The name – Corona – seemed out of place in proud Astoria. The locals were vocally disappointed. Corona Bakery just wasn't the same.
The locals are right about it not being the same. I stopped at Corona Bakery while I drove down 31st Avenue recently, and I found it to be quite different from Martha’s. So I didn’t try the red velvet cupcakes or the yogurt pound cake. I asked the counterman what he recommended, and he pointed to a large glass case in the center of the store full of Mexican pastries and breads.
The item that caught my eye first was the Mexican sweet bread, known as pan dulce. I took one for the road, and I was delighted. The light, airy loaf was not overwhelmingly sugary. The flavor of the ground cinnamon and granulated sugar topping complimented the sweet, pinkish center of the bun perfectly. The pan dulce was nothing short of scrumptious, a pleasant surprise at a bakery from which I hadn’t expected much.
New York is always being reborn. And those who live in the past don’t really live in New York. Corona Bakery clearly has its own merits. Martha’s was great, but it no longer exists on 31st Avenue. The delicious hamantashen have been replaced by delicious pan dulce.
In this case however, you can have your cake and eat it too. Thankfully for those loyal to the old bakery, Martha’s is alive and kicking just six blocks away on Ditmars Boulevard.
Corona Bakery, 31st Avenue between 34th and 35th Street
Martha’s Country Bakery, 3621 Ditmars Blvd., 718-545-9737
|
Is there anywhere in Manhattan that sells great pan dulce?
You are aware that there is a Corona, Queens right? Maybe the owners are from there?
I don't even know what this means: The name – Corona – seemed out of place in proud Astoria.
The name of the bakery is the same as the beer, right down to the typeface. That nonwithstanding, the bakery is really good! Although I miss the more conveniently located (for me!) Martha's.
Of course, Corona Bakery is one of the few places in Astoria WITH power right now. I, unfortunately, remain one of ConNEd's victims. My poor dog.
I'm pretty sure Martha's country bakery is now on Ditmars around 35 or 36th street.
Keep up the good work. It is refreshing to read about these out of the way places serving out of the ordinary food.
What makes the pan dulce so technicolor pink? Is it food coloring?
I don't think it's necessarily "living in the past" to miss stuff. Think of Proust and his madelienes . . .
Of course if you "miss" something that moved 5 blocks away, you're really just a bit lazy.
Martha's is on Ditmars around 35th and still delicious!!
@CD: Ditmars Blvd. is basically 22nd Ave, so it's more than 5 or 6 blocks from 31st Ave. It's two subway stops away on the N/W.
this sounds like spam, but knowing all these bakeries I have to give props to Frank's Bakery on 30th ave and 36th street. More of an italian style bakery, walking past the open door at 3am will take you to another planet. delicious ciabatta and cookies and morning cinnamon rolls, spanakopita, yum.
found corona to be ok, but maybe i need to rethink it. the idea of a "mexican bakery" is initially confusing, but perhaps rewarding?
i think the real gold star goes to astoria for having so many great small bakeries.
dammnit they have some of that great mexican bread in sunset park too.
mmmmm
Great article, I'll have to by Corona Bakery and try the conchas.