Copyright Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
My tasty mission to celebrate Italian Heritage Month before the end of October was fulfilled with the snacks called spuntini, at an artisanal bakery in Newport News’ Hilton Village. Andy Ariano, a first-generation Italian American from Naples, and his wife, Megan, own the small-batch shop, Spuntini Bakery. They began this journey with a table at a local farmers market in 2023 before expanding a year ago to the old location of Couture Cakes By Nika. The Arianos use their 21-year-old sourdough starter (a fermented mix of flour and water) to create about 15 types of breads, crackers, dolci (sweets) and other baked goods on a menu that rotates each week. They introduce seasonal sourdough about every three months; the latest was sweet potato and sage. They also carry Italian soda, pasta and olive oil to pay homage to Andy’s heritage. The bakery’s most popular item, however, is the roasted garlic and rosemary bread, which makes lovely garlic bread, PB&J, and avocado toast — my home creations. Nothing beats crusty edges, spongy insides and delicate flavors. The original sourdough ranks as second favorite. Business has picked up since the opening last year. The shop sells the least amount of bread on Thursdays, when foot traffic is lower. The store moves more than 40 loaves on Fridays, about 60 to 80 on Saturdays, and about 50 on Sundays. Goods are available until they sell out. Customers can also purchase small plates such as a panino with housemade vegan turkey, Italian antipasto and soups to enjoy at a large community table. The sweets selection also rotates each week and has vegan options. A few items remain staples, such as the ganache brownies and sourdough chocolate chip cookies. The cookies became my favorite after the first bite. Crispy edges surrounded a soft middle that brought out the flavor of bittersweet chips. Perfection. The Mediterranean-inspired shop also offers cornetti (crescent-shaped Italian pastries) and croissants on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The apple spice-filled cornetto was available during my visit, and from the moment I saw it the phrase “sharing is caring” never came to mind. Later at home, I selfishly devoured every morsel of the creamy, flaky dessert. Nothing could’ve been better — except for two. Spuntini also serves coffee using Cafe Kimbo, an Italian brand. For manual pour-overs — in which hot water is poured over grounds in a filter, then drips through — the cafe uses coffee from Cat Nap Coffee Roasting, in Staunton, Virginia. Nothing on the coffee or tea menus piqued my interest. But a brown and orange tin can labeled “Bristot Cioccobon” did. It contained a hot chocolate powder mix from Italy. Andy prepared a cup for me to sip there. It was a smooth cocoa treat that wasn’t overly sweet, served with mini almond biscotti. Rekaya Gibson, 757-295-8809, rekaya.gibson@virginiamedia.com If you go Where: 10373 Warwick Blvd., Newport News Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, closed Monday through Wednesday Prices: $13 and $15 breads, $3 to $10 sweets, $3 to $7 drinks
