|
|
|
Let them eat cannoli: Termini Christmas Eve Cheer (in a line)
The Web site for the award-winning alternative weekly, the Philadelphia City Paper.
Let them eat cannoli: Termini Christmas Eve Cheer (in a line)
 |
| Hopelessly devoted. |
| All Photos l Felicia D'Ambrosio |
Every year on Christmas Eve, just before dawn has defrosted the cracked sidewalks of South Philly, a line gathers in the sugar-scented darkness outside Termini Bros. (1523 S. Eighth St., 215-334-1816, termini.com).
The seekers converge to wait patiently for their freshly made Christmas cassata cakes and ricotta cannoli, pignoli cookies and crunchy almond amaretti. The white-coated Termini staff, who wear the faintly expectant smiles of those surviving the annual storm that precedes bonus time and a day off, collect orders and tie stiff paperboard boxes with baker's string with unchoreographed grace and efficiency.
 |
| Sfogliatelle (say it with me like we do in Souf Philly, schee-a-dell), a clamshell-shaped pastry filled with ricotta cream. |
The Termini family has been crafting the most sought-after cannoli and other classic Italian pastry since 1928, when Giuseppe and Geatano Termini opened their original tiny store, now Mr. Joe's Café (1514 S. Eighth St., 215-334-1414). Vince Termini opened Mr. Joe's as a tribute to his father, and a way of honoring the physical place where his family began their journey in the United States. Just across the street from the neon-signed flagship Termini Bros., Mr. Joe's serves short intense espresso, homey gnocchi bolognese and pasta fagioli, as well as a few select Termini sweet treats.
On Christmas Eve, the long history of the Termini clan is served to the cheerfully waiting customers, along with a free cannoli and crisp amaretti pushed across the counter with old-world charm.
 |
| The next generation, hard at work. |
Lots more drool-inducing photos after the jump.
 |
Shiny, shiny fruit tarts. |
 |
| Felicia and mom Catherine, inexpertly constructing their Christmas Eve breakfast ... of cannoli. |
 |
| Or we'll cut off your thumbs, Christmas or no. |
 |
| A neon beacon calls the faithful. |
 |
| Workin' it on Christmas vacation. |
- barstool scientist
- Booze
- Brew Revue
- Chef Salad
- Closings
- Coffee
- Contests
- Dealage
- Dirty Dishes
- Don't Front
- Eat This Immediately
- Field Trip
- Food and Art
- Food and Holidays
- Food and Movies
- Food and Music
- Food and Politics
- Food and Sports
- Food and Web
- Food Blogs
- Food Books
- Food Events
- Food News
- Food TV
- Gifted
- Happy Hour Hopper
- How-To
- In Print
- Interview
- Meal Ticket
- Menu Time
- Not So Quickfire
- Notes from the Weekend
- On Wheels
- Openings
- Patio Drinking
- Philly Beer Week 2010
- Photos
- Private Chef POV
- Product Placement
- Recipes
- Snack Time
- Stiff Drank
- SUPPER
- Tea
- Testing
- Ticket Stubs
- Top Chef
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Video
- Weekly Candy
- Weird Regional Foods
- We're Here to Help
- Where'd We Eat?
- Drew Lazor's Ill-Advised Rant Factory
- Pregame
- Ill-Advised Ranting
- The Week Without Meat
- Philly Beer Week 2009
- Real Big
- Where'd I Eat Last Night?
- Top Chef Masters
- The Good Word
- Next Iron Chef
- Arterial Terrorism
- Food and Radio
