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Fiorini's Pasticciere, billed as a "Truly Italian" bakery, has brought a true Italian family enterprise to the Sonoma Valley community and offers a unique opportunity to savor handmade Tuscan delicacies, and to enjoy such traditional favorites as St. Honore cakes, mille foglie, assorted Italian cookies by the pound, rice tarts, tiramisu, zabaione and morning panini and pizzettes.
It had been a longtime wish of Grazia Bianchi, of Bianchi's Hair Salon, to bring her family to Sonoma — where she has operated her business for more than five years. Grazia, a native of Lucca, Italy, is joined by her baker son-in-law Massimo "Max" Fiorini in Sonoma. Fiorini is also a native of Lucca, Italy. At age 15, he learned the bakery business at Pinelli's, an old pasticceria in Lucca. After moving to San Francisco, he not only married Grazia's daughter, Yvette, and had a son, Max Jr. , but began working at Victoria Pastry in North Beach. He eventually became part owner.
Max Fiorini brings to Sonoma more than 20 years' baking experience. He has created Fiorini's own style of Italian desserts and specialties, from Italian cioccolotto to tartufo cakes, and from semolina torte to little handmade cookies sold by the pound. He even bakes special Italian dog biscuits, sold in gift tins, suitable for the most pampered canine.
"I love doing my own personal Lucca-style pastries and delicacies here in Sonoma, since Sonoma is so rich in Italian heritage. There is no other bakery in Sonoma where you will find what we are creating here." Fiorini said.
Italian coffees are served as well, along with cappuccinos, espresso drinks and lattes, to either take with you or to drink in the beautifully decorated bakery at one of the light-filled tables. Grazia has furnished the interior with Tuscan dishes and Venetian glass vases, and the bakery is a delight of heavenly scents.
Fiorini's Cakes and Cookies is located at 248 W. Napa St., Sonoma. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pictured Above: Massimo "Max" Fiorini holds up a platter of Tuscan delights offered at the newly opened Fiorini's Cakes and Cookies. Photo by Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune
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