by Michael Montalvo
Daily Lobo
One of Albuquerque's oldest Italian deli and meat markets has expanded into the bakery business.
The owners of Tully's Deli and Meats added an Italian pastry shop, Saratori's di Tully's, at 1425 San Mateo Blvd. N.E.
The cozy pastry shop is next door to the deli and serves up traditional Italian desserts as well as more familiar favorites.
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In naming the new bakery, the Camuglias decided to honor their family.
"The shop is actually named after my children," co-owner Johnny Camuglia said. "I have a daughter named Victoria, whom we call Tori, and another daughter named Sara."
Saratori's bakers use fresh ingredients when preparing all of their tasty treats, he said.
"With the exception of the cannoli shells, all of the items here are made from scratch," Camuglia said.
While Saratori's specializes in Italian desserts, Camuglia said it offers more than that - items that pastry fans unfamiliar with Italian desserts are sure to recognize, he said.
"Come on - you know you have to have biscochitos in New Mexico," he said.
The bakery also serves homemade all-American pies such as apple crumb, pecan and pumpkin ricotta.
The pies and biscochitos look good, but when visiting Saratori's, the desserts to indulge in are the Italian specialties.
The bakery's piñon-almond cookies, created with almond paste, piñons and egg whites, culminate in a cookie that's elegant, yet simple.
Other Italian specialties include cannoli (fried pastry tubes with creamy filling), pasticotti (a vanilla cake and cream tart) and sfogliatelle (a shell-shaped pastry stuffed with ricotta and diced orange.)
Saratori's offers authentic Italian desserts that will be difficult to find elsewhere in the city, Camuglia said.
"College students should come on in, because we got everything they're looking for," Saratori's baker Robert Wisdom said.
The pastry shop provides a peaceful, warm atmosphere good for studying or spending time with friends. Large, plush purple couches afford patrons comfortable seating. The aroma of pastries and Italian and Colombian coffees fill the air.
The only thing missing for the college student is a Wi-Fi connection, which Camuglia said he's considering adding to the store.
The baking is done next door at Tully's, which offers a fine selection of Italian fare and sandwiches.
Inside Tully's, customers will find bottled Italian sauces, frozen dinners and freshly made Italian sausages. High-quality olive oils and pastas are also available.
Many of Albuquerque restaurants use Tully's authentic Italian sausage, Camuglia said.
"The recipe for the sausage is over 100 years old. It was my great-grandfather's recipe," Camuglia said.
Tully's extensive frozen dinner line offers something for everyone. Its dinners are pre-cooked and only require reheating.
Whether you're in search of a warm, hearty Italian meal, a delectable pastry or both, Tully's and Saratori's di Tully's come highly recommended.
Tully's Deli and Meats and Saratori's di Tully's
1425 San Mateo Blvd. N.E.
Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
