This may very easily be one of the best pastry shops I’ve ever been to. The quality of the baked goods are amazing. They never get anything wrong, always listen to you and hear you out. I love this place, and I wish them nothing but loveParking: Over 20 spots to park in, it is located in the East Haven mini mall down the hall from quest diagnostics and near Darkside tattoo
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Cannoli Napoletan
KarenD. USA
I ordered platter of 3 dozen mini pastries for Easter dinner dessert. I was not disappointed! The presentation of the pastries on the platter was absolutely gorgeous. The pastries themselves were simply delicious and enjoyed by all! I would also like to thank Petonitos for all their community support. I do notice their presence at various functions on the Green and at the Senior Center. They make a difference. Thank you.Parking: Easy and accessible parking lot behind the building. Easy in and easy out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mini Pastry on a Tray
L
Went to a Christmas cookie bake here. It is $60.00 per person. For that you get choc chip cookie dough, snickerdoodle dough, sugar cookie dough for thumbprint cookies, and sugar cookie dough for cookie cutters. Event started at 6pm, we arrived at 5:50pm. They had already started with other customers , no waiting for the whole group. Very little instruction, just yelling out to everyone that came in what to do first. No workspace, crowded, unorganized and very little ingredients for decorating. We were given a chest freezer as our space to work on and told we could roll out the sugar cookie dough on that. No paper towels available. Not at all the event we thought it would be. They then bake what you have made, my sugar cookies were not baked long enough, so they broke apart. I would not recommend this to anyone. So disappointed!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Monique M
This bakery is never displayed as their social media platforms advertise. I'm not quite sure why I keep trying them over and over. I decided to try them out again today but yet another let down. Thebakery was completely empty, the only thing in their storefront were Italian cookies. No fruit Danish, no poppy horns, no donuts, no stuffed breads and their pastry case was broken with just a list of pastries you could order and they would get them out of the back. More than half of the items I asked for they were out of and also being a visual person (as I'm sure most people are) this wasn't a pleasant experience. I asked if they were all freshly made today and was told yes so decided to get a few. When I got home and shared these with my guest it was clear they were not fresh! The cannoli was falling apart and had a soggy texture. Not like a crisp fresh cannoli shell, the pasticciotti was stale and the lemon tart was very very dense with crusted chocolate icing on top. The bakery opened at 8:30 and I was there at 9:00 So it's not like they were sold out of these items. They just don't produce or match what they advertise online as a bakery full of delicious variety.
Alison L.
I ordered a selection of 20 pastries for a corporate party, and everyone absolutely loved them, rave reviews and we have a lot of pastries from different places in my company, nobody usually comments on the desserts, but everyone loved these so much. One employee said the chocolate cannoli was the best he'd ever had in his life. We will be back!
Dominic P.
This place rocked until today. I am a regular and no matter what the locals started saying I love it. After today I'm never going back.
Staci N.
Always the go to place in or around East Haven for pastry! (Especially if you're Italian like me & the family won't accept anything but traditional!)
Matthew L.
Petonito's Pastry Shoppe is an Italian Pastry Bakery that opened in New Haven, Connecticut in 1954. It was founded by Salvatore Petonito. The son of Italian immigrants, Salvatore received his initial training as a baker at the young age of 11 when he started working at Lucibello's Pastry Shop in the mid 1930s. He was drafted into the navy in World War II and worked as a baker on several ships during his tour of duty. After returning home, Salvatore would later open up his own 'pasticceria' on Grand Avenue in New Haven. In 1960, he moved the bakery to Main Street in East Haven where it still stands today. He worked alongside his wife Dolores for several years and eventually their son Mark began working behind the counter. Mark would take over the business after his dad retired. Salvatore passed away in 2011. In 2019, the business was sold to married couple Michael and Regina Falcigno Criscuolo. Regina had worked at Petonito's from 1983 - 1994 and had dreamed of one day owning her own bakery. All of the original Petonito's employees continued to work there under the Criscuolos' ownership. In addition to the classic Italian pastries, pies and cakes that were always baked at Petonito's, the Criscuolos would add new menu items such as cupcakes, muffins, scones, coffee and cappuccino. My wife and I have been enjoying Petonito's pastries since before we were married. We came very close to having them bake our wedding cake, but we ultimately went with another baker. Along with our son, we recently stopped in just before Valentine's Day. This was our first in-person visit since the Criscuolos took over. We loved how they re-branded the place and the staff were friendly and accommodating. We decided to get three of their Valentine's Day-themed cannoli: Chocolate Covered Truffle, Red Velvet, and Conversation Heart. They tasted even better than they looked. I also ordered my favorite dessert: Chocolate Lemon Pie. This pie (likely developed by culinary ideas brought by Italian immigrants from Amalfi) can only be found at a handful of Italian bakeries in the Greater New Haven area. Petonito's version is excellent! Regardless of the occasion, you'll find no shortage of delicious pastries at Petonito's!
Mary Kelly
So sad that this bakery has really gone down hill! I really hesitated to write this review but feel others who love the traditional Italian pastry and pies should be informed. Been getting pastries here for over 30 years, and had my wedding cake made here 30 years ago. We travel to Ct for Christmas every year ( we now live out of state) and bring pastry for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day . Last year the pastries were inedible, but I thought maybe because of Covid it was a fluke. This year purchased an Italian cream pie and a dozen pastries. The pie crust was raw on the bottom! The top crust was cooked. So bizarre, it wasn’t soggy but raw! Couldn’t even cut a piece. The pastry and cream fillings were inconsistent, thick, and some were very small and some very big. I was really embarrassed having brought them for dessert. So disappointed! Will not return. Clearly the new owners do not know how to make the traditional Italian pastries and pies. I will have to get to Lucibello’s next year.
Susan D.
Great service!!! Raspberry cookies were very good. Can't wait for the cannoli wreath I ordered. Loved their chocolate lemon pie.
I wouldn't even give them one star, but this is not an option. I always like to give places a second chance. Since Petonito's has been taken over by new owners the pastries have not been the same. Twice now i have gone and i have gotten stale and raw pastries specifically the Sfogliatella and pasticiotti. The cookies also taste different, but not as good for sure.... I'm heading to Lucibello's, it's sad that Mark Petonito's pastries were always fresh and delicious and they can't keep up with the name.
Laurie Ann L.
Was in Branford, back home visiting family. We live in Metro Atlanta-NO Italian pastry shops to be found. Our old favorite in Branford permanently closed, and I found this place.Glad we did! Brought home a huge box to take home & share.
Velediva ..
The cannoli are definitely not the same, the shell taste stale and the filling didn't taste fresh either I won't be going back here I will try lucibellos
Amy A.
My son's birthday is today and he wanted Italian pastry and cookies to share with his grandparents instead of a cake. Since we were visiting my parents in the area, we chose Petonito's on Main Street. It was nostalgic for my son since his grandmother used to bring him here for cookies when he was little. The owners have changed since we were here last, but we were not disappointed in the quality or taste of the desserts. According to my mom, they still make the best almond tart around. We ate the cannoli before I could take a picture but they were delicious and fresh. The staff in the bakery were also very welcoming and sweet. I didn't feel too embarrassed not knowing the names of the "little pie things" my parents requested and then pronouncing it wrong from my mom's text lol Great bakery, I just wish we lived closer because we need more cookies and cannoli!
Mirian G.
Been living in the area for the past two years and I'm just getting to try this place out. We ordered delivery and it was packaged so cute. My favorite was the eclair. The pastries are massive and super delicious.
This may very easily be one of the best pastry shops I’ve ever been to. The quality of the baked goods are amazing. They never get anything wrong, always listen to you and hear you out. I love this place, and I wish them nothing but loveParking: Over 20 spots to park in, it is located in the East Haven mini mall down the hall from quest diagnostics and near Darkside tattoo
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Cannoli Napoletan
I ordered platter of 3 dozen mini pastries for Easter dinner dessert. I was not disappointed! The presentation of the pastries on the platter was absolutely gorgeous. The pastries themselves were simply delicious and enjoyed by all! I would also like to thank Petonitos for all their community support. I do notice their presence at various functions on the Green and at the Senior Center. They make a difference. Thank you.Parking: Easy and accessible parking lot behind the building. Easy in and easy out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mini Pastry on a Tray
Went to a Christmas cookie bake here. It is $60.00 per person. For that you get choc chip cookie dough, snickerdoodle dough, sugar cookie dough for thumbprint cookies, and sugar cookie dough for cookie cutters. Event started at 6pm, we arrived at 5:50pm. They had already started with other customers , no waiting for the whole group. Very little instruction, just yelling out to everyone that came in what to do first. No workspace, crowded, unorganized and very little ingredients for decorating. We were given a chest freezer as our space to work on and told we could roll out the sugar cookie dough on that. No paper towels available. Not at all the event we thought it would be. They then bake what you have made, my sugar cookies were not baked long enough, so they broke apart. I would not recommend this to anyone. So disappointed!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
This bakery is never displayed as their social media platforms advertise. I'm not quite sure why I keep trying them over and over. I decided to try them out again today but yet another let down. Thebakery was completely empty, the only thing in their storefront were Italian cookies. No fruit Danish, no poppy horns, no donuts, no stuffed breads and their pastry case was broken with just a list of pastries you could order and they would get them out of the back. More than half of the items I asked for they were out of and also being a visual person (as I'm sure most people are) this wasn't a pleasant experience. I asked if they were all freshly made today and was told yes so decided to get a few. When I got home and shared these with my guest it was clear they were not fresh! The cannoli was falling apart and had a soggy texture. Not like a crisp fresh cannoli shell, the pasticciotti was stale and the lemon tart was very very dense with crusted chocolate icing on top. The bakery opened at 8:30 and I was there at 9:00 So it's not like they were sold out of these items. They just don't produce or match what they advertise online as a bakery full of delicious variety.
I ordered a selection of 20 pastries for a corporate party, and everyone absolutely loved them, rave reviews and we have a lot of pastries from different places in my company, nobody usually comments on the desserts, but everyone loved these so much. One employee said the chocolate cannoli was the best he'd ever had in his life. We will be back!
This place rocked until today. I am a regular and no matter what the locals started saying I love it. After today I'm never going back.
Always the go to place in or around East Haven for pastry! (Especially if you're Italian like me & the family won't accept anything but traditional!)
Petonito's Pastry Shoppe is an Italian Pastry Bakery that opened in New Haven, Connecticut in 1954. It was founded by Salvatore Petonito. The son of Italian immigrants, Salvatore received his initial training as a baker at the young age of 11 when he started working at Lucibello's Pastry Shop in the mid 1930s. He was drafted into the navy in World War II and worked as a baker on several ships during his tour of duty. After returning home, Salvatore would later open up his own 'pasticceria' on Grand Avenue in New Haven. In 1960, he moved the bakery to Main Street in East Haven where it still stands today. He worked alongside his wife Dolores for several years and eventually their son Mark began working behind the counter. Mark would take over the business after his dad retired. Salvatore passed away in 2011. In 2019, the business was sold to married couple Michael and Regina Falcigno Criscuolo. Regina had worked at Petonito's from 1983 - 1994 and had dreamed of one day owning her own bakery. All of the original Petonito's employees continued to work there under the Criscuolos' ownership. In addition to the classic Italian pastries, pies and cakes that were always baked at Petonito's, the Criscuolos would add new menu items such as cupcakes, muffins, scones, coffee and cappuccino. My wife and I have been enjoying Petonito's pastries since before we were married. We came very close to having them bake our wedding cake, but we ultimately went with another baker. Along with our son, we recently stopped in just before Valentine's Day. This was our first in-person visit since the Criscuolos took over. We loved how they re-branded the place and the staff were friendly and accommodating. We decided to get three of their Valentine's Day-themed cannoli: Chocolate Covered Truffle, Red Velvet, and Conversation Heart. They tasted even better than they looked. I also ordered my favorite dessert: Chocolate Lemon Pie. This pie (likely developed by culinary ideas brought by Italian immigrants from Amalfi) can only be found at a handful of Italian bakeries in the Greater New Haven area. Petonito's version is excellent! Regardless of the occasion, you'll find no shortage of delicious pastries at Petonito's!
So sad that this bakery has really gone down hill! I really hesitated to write this review but feel others who love the traditional Italian pastry and pies should be informed. Been getting pastries here for over 30 years, and had my wedding cake made here 30 years ago. We travel to Ct for Christmas every year ( we now live out of state) and bring pastry for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day . Last year the pastries were inedible, but I thought maybe because of Covid it was a fluke. This year purchased an Italian cream pie and a dozen pastries. The pie crust was raw on the bottom! The top crust was cooked. So bizarre, it wasn’t soggy but raw! Couldn’t even cut a piece. The pastry and cream fillings were inconsistent, thick, and some were very small and some very big. I was really embarrassed having brought them for dessert. So disappointed! Will not return. Clearly the new owners do not know how to make the traditional Italian pastries and pies. I will have to get to Lucibello’s next year.
Great service!!! Raspberry cookies were very good. Can't wait for the cannoli wreath I ordered. Loved their chocolate lemon pie.
Restaurantji Recommends
I wouldn't even give them one star, but this is not an option. I always like to give places a second chance. Since Petonito's has been taken over by new owners the pastries have not been the same. Twice now i have gone and i have gotten stale and raw pastries specifically the Sfogliatella and pasticiotti. The cookies also taste different, but not as good for sure.... I'm heading to Lucibello's, it's sad that Mark Petonito's pastries were always fresh and delicious and they can't keep up with the name.
Was in Branford, back home visiting family. We live in Metro Atlanta-NO Italian pastry shops to be found. Our old favorite in Branford permanently closed, and I found this place.Glad we did! Brought home a huge box to take home & share.
The cannoli are definitely not the same, the shell taste stale and the filling didn't taste fresh either I won't be going back here I will try lucibellos
My son's birthday is today and he wanted Italian pastry and cookies to share with his grandparents instead of a cake. Since we were visiting my parents in the area, we chose Petonito's on Main Street. It was nostalgic for my son since his grandmother used to bring him here for cookies when he was little. The owners have changed since we were here last, but we were not disappointed in the quality or taste of the desserts. According to my mom, they still make the best almond tart around. We ate the cannoli before I could take a picture but they were delicious and fresh. The staff in the bakery were also very welcoming and sweet. I didn't feel too embarrassed not knowing the names of the "little pie things" my parents requested and then pronouncing it wrong from my mom's text lol Great bakery, I just wish we lived closer because we need more cookies and cannoli!
Been living in the area for the past two years and I'm just getting to try this place out. We ordered delivery and it was packaged so cute. My favorite was the eclair. The pastries are massive and super delicious.