One day near Easter time on a Saturday afternoon my wife and I went for a drive to Schenectady. While we were in Schenectady, we stopped into the Villa Italia Pasticceria. Once we were in there we could hear Italian music and it was very busy with people coming in and going out. In addition, we saw many orders of Easter pies and Italian pastries too. My wife and I ordered two chocolate cannolis and I ordered a small Italian coffee. Boy that was a good cup of Italian coffee! Then we both tried a chocolate mice to share, yes, mice as that is what they are called even if you only get one. The inside of the chocolate mice was filled with a chocolate truffle like filling with an almond cookie base and almond bits throughout. That was the best “mice” we ever ate!

I had been talking with my wife about doing an interview with the manager of the Villa Italia business. She said, “Go for it” and I did. I was a little nervous but I got up the nerve and I asked to see the manager. They asked me why and I told them I wanted to do an interview about them and I told them I was trying to get an Italian Festival started in my hometown.

The manager I spoke to was Frank Benetict. They have been in business over 43 years first starting in Rotterdam for about 39 years. Frank said that his family came from Minturno, Italy, which is North West of Roma and has been to Italy many times. Frank went on to tell the story of his family and how all this came to be.

“My father Joe Mallozzi, immigrated to the United States in the early sixties from a small town called Minturno, Italy. Our grandparents operated a small pastry shop there, and my father along with his brothers and sisters, were raised much like we were, amidst the business and with strong working values. In 1959, our grandfather passed and my family decided to start a new life in a new country. They moved to Schenectady, a blue-collar city in upstate NY, where my father’s sister had already been living. Without a college, degree or little working experience my father took up work in a local German bakery. By 1965, he saved up enough money to purchase a pizzeria called Villa Italia, in the town of Rotterdam, on the outskirts of Schenectady. Quickly phasing out the pizza and cold cuts, he began introducing miniature Italian pastries and cakes, slowly building a name for himself and his business. About two years after the opening he met and married our mother, Elena Macchiarella. The Macchiarella family comes from a small town just outside Palmero, Sicily, called Ficarazzi. Working together, the business grew, with each contributing their own unique talents. My father has always been an innovative man, never afraid to invest in automation or the newest bakery machinery. My Mother was the creative part lending her artistic ability, to beautifully decorated wedding cakes. My sister Christine was the first of us born, then my brother John and then me. They proved to not only be the motivating factor to keep the business running but to constantly keep it at the forefront of our industry. In 2005, we closed our shop in Rotterdam, and relocated to the heart of Schenectady, amidst the resurgence of businesses and entertainment venues that are bringing a new look and feel to downtown. We still continue to make all the great pastries and cakes that our parents had introduced years ago and have added a few new things along the way,” he said.

They also own Mallozzi’s Ballrooms & Catering on Curry Road in Schenectady, which also has on the premises right across the parking lot, the Mallozzi’s Belvedere Hotel. They also own a Restaurant at the Italian American Community Center in Albany, and it is located at Washington Ave. not too far from the Cross Gates Mall. They also own Mallozzi’s Club House at the Western Turnpike Golf Course. In June or July, they are going to open another restaurant in Albany. It is going to be right by the Palace Theater. The name of the restaurant is going to be the “Original Ground Derby.” It is going to be an upscale American Restaurant.

When they had their new place of business built, they made sure they had the best of the best, and built right. For the first time ever an Italian company built their pastry display case. The name of the company is Bocchini Company. Frank said, “This is the first time for this company to build anything like this and then bring it to America and put it all together.”

When my wife and I were there the case looked nice. It had a shiny wood look and a metal inlay look at the bottom of the case. In addition, the place had a coffee bar and with alcohol to serve you too. The decor in the bakery made us feel like we were in Italy. If you get a chance, you have to check out this place, you will fall in love with it and you will love their homemade pastries too.

A few years back Frank mentioned that they used to head up the Festa Italiana at Central Park in Schenectady and at the Airport in Schenectady too. One year they had Pat Cooper who is an Italian comedian come and perform. They drew in many talents back then.

My wife and I had our engagement party at Mallozzi’s on Curry road. We had it at one of the rooms downstairs, the food was out of this world, everyone had a great time, and there was no one that complained about the service or the food. Everyone was glad to be there at Mallozzi’s. We had a lot of Italian food and wine, coffee and soda with many assorted Italian pastries.

As for my wife and I, we were very happy that we had our party there. We recommend Mallozzi’s to everyone. They will do anything for anyone to make their day one to remember for a lifetime.

www.villaitaliabakery.com
518-355-1912