I’ve spent most of this summer visiting my family in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It’s always good to spend time with my kids and grandkids, but at the same time I really miss Italy.  I long for walks around Lucca, Medieval streetscapes, and the sounds of the Italian language. I especially miss an early morning coffee or an aperitivo in a local bar. Those are cultural experiences that just can not be recreated here.

 Albuquerque is not like some of the bigger cities in the US, such as New York or Boston.  There is no Little Italy neighborhood here, no part of town where Italian is spoken, no area where the culture of Italy prevails. I am always searching for something to bring a little taste of Italy to me when I am here in New Mexico. I found an Italian language class which was a big help this summer as was the local Italian Culture and Language Group.  But the best surprise was finding a new Italian pasticceria just a few minutes from my New Mexico condo. You just don’t expect to find an authentic Italian bakery in an Albuquerque shopping center, but that is exactly where I found one. Lucky me!

 Linda Manias is from Pordenone in the Friuli-Venezia-Guilia region of northeastern Italy.  While living in the US with her American husband she found she really missed Italian pastries (boy can I relate to that).  Her solution was to begin baking, recreating all the flavors she missed. And wow - can Linda bake! 

In 2022, Linda moved to Albuquerque, along with her husband, where she began to offer Italian cakes and pastries, operating out of shared space in a local cafe.  Her business grew and now Linda has opened her very own Pasticceria – Linda’s Dolci – where she serves a wide variety of treats, both to enjoy in the cafe along with a coffee or portare via (to take away).

 For me, a morning cappuccino and a cornetto at Linda’s Dolci brings me that slice of Italian flavor that I crave.  It’s no surprise that I always seem to run into another local Italophile there. Linda’s is the place where you just might hear Italian spoken by customers who come by for conversation as well as pastries.

Besides those breakfasts goodies, Linda fills her pastry case with all kinds of treats. The selection varies each day. You may find crisp cookies, jam filled squares, vanilla or chocolate glazed cream puffs, fruit topped delights, tiramisu, zeppole, cannoli, and delicious cakes.  You’ll even find gluten free and vegan options. Orders for custom cakes or pasty trays are always welcome.

 If you are in the Albuquerque area, be sure to stop in and say Buongiorno to the delightful Linda (you’ll find her back in the kitchen, hard at work).  Even better if you want to practice your Italian with her! 

 Don’t these photos make you hungry?

By the time this blog posts on Monday August 14th I will be back in Italy. Look for me enjoying a cappuccino and cornetto at one of the wonderful bars or pastry shops in Lucca!

A big thanks to Linda for giving me permission to use some photos from her website in this post.