By Allison Persad
There is something transcendent about the smell of baked goods.
Sweet and savory aromas immediately place us in a memory – grandma’s kitchen, Christmas morning or even your favorite shop around the corner. When it comes to pastries, breads, cakes, or any sweet confection you may be craving, Queens has a concoction waiting for you.
It may be called a café, a patisserie, a pastry shop or even a bake house. They all have one thing in common – to satisfy our sweet tooth. Buttery dough, airy chocolate mousse, oozing vanilla crème éclairs, decadent pecan pies: why can’t we get enough?
Pastries and savories are the perfect gifts for most on your list this season, naughty or nice. Decorated with a beautiful basket or platter, it makes a great hostess gift for you to bring along for a holiday dinner.
Sweets also make a great gift for bosses, a not too personal, yet delicious alternative to that coffee mug. Say thank you to all those that make your year go by a little smoother. Bring a basket of goodies to your nail salon, barber shop, mechanic, dentist (sugar free), teacher, or even your mailman.
From Italian delicacies and Greek pastries to Polish cheesecake, Queens has the best of all holiday confections.

Artopolis
Agora Plaza, 23-18 31st St., Astoria (718) 728-8484
If heaven were a pastry shop in Queens, it would be Artopolis. Sugary confections flourish at this sophisticated shop with all the frills. White washed walls with golden accents make it an ethereal visit. Decadent “stations” house treats covered in tulle, as one floats around airy, powdery baked goodness offering the best of Greece, France, and all in between.
“Every pastry has a story,” said co-owner Regina Katopodis as she described tsoureki, a dense Greek bread similar to challah. It began over 700 years ago with Constantinople and uses mastica, an ingredient found nowhere in the world, except the island of Chios.
You can expect the traditional baklava, drizzled with honey, tiropitas (cheese pies) and spanakopitas (spinach pies) but the unexpected chocolate soufflés and passion fruit mousse add decadent variety. From pecan to key lime, all your pie wishes will be granted. Open seven days a week including Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. All ingredients at his slice of heaven are pure with no substitutes.

D’Aquila Pastry Shop
33-31 Francis Lewis Blvd., Bayside (718) 886-4800
A long time resident of Bayside, this small understated Italian bakery receives high accolades from devoted customers. Family owned and run for 32 years, all baking is done on premises with fresh ingredients. Tiramisu, to coconut pie, chocolate covered cannolis to amaretti cookies, all await your holiday cravings. You can also find seasonal treats like the dried-fruit-speckled sweet bread panettone, traditionally imported around Christmastime, and even home-made gelato!
Owner Jack D’Aquila says the slow economy has affected business, with prices going up and people buying less, he has seen at least a 30 percent drop in sales. However, regulars still line up to get the quality goods, all made by hand.
“It’s simply the best,” said Helen Barker, local realtor and a devotee for 15 years. With so many options now, including gourmet supermarkets, Barker says it’s here she comes for all her sweet treats.

Okruszek Polish Bakery
60-45 Maspeth Ave., Maspeth (718) 416-8100
With a Polish population en masse in Maspeth, it is no wonder there is a bakery offering traditional goodies. There are no tables in this narrow storefront shop, but locals continue to support this favorite. Open for eight years, with two other locations, affordable prices with traditional treats, keep this quaint shop busy. Rich, creamy cheesecake in flavors such as peach, mixed fruit, and chocolate are staples for a Polish holiday celebration.
Ptysie (éclairs), szyszka (toffee rice balls) and paczki (fruit and jelly filled donuts) are some of the classic pastries found here. In addition, you will find makowiec, a poppy seed roll eaten throughout the year.
“I love the cheesecake here,” said Anna Jaworek, a long time customer of Okruszek’s. She has been coming here for the past four years since moving from Poland.

Seba Seba
83-03 Northern Blvd., Flushing (718) 335-4548
With multiple locations scattered throughout Northern Queens, from Jackson Heights to Sunnyside, this is a Columbian staple among those in the know. Fresh baked Columbian breads and pastries flavored with cheese, milk and even guava are among the choices.
Most notably are the delicious empanadas, fried golden pastries filled with savory meat or chicken. Also available are homemade flan, a creamy egg custard and fluffy bunuelos resembling donut holes.