Italian pastry search finds sweet finish

Karen Ericson inquired about local Italian bakeries that sell fresh pastries, especially cannoli, and as usual, her fellow Taste of the Town readers came through.

Marlene Drozd recommended Montesano’s Italian Eateria at 9905 S. Eastern Ave., which she said not only sells cannoli but also fills the shells when they’re purchased, plus “lots of Italian cookies and pastries.” Ann Brown emailed that Siena Deli at 9500 W. Sahara Ave. makes cannoli and other authentic pastries. She also recommended the fresh pastries at Glazier’s Food Marketplace at 8525 W. Warm Springs Road and added that the store also carries a line of Italian pastries from New Jersey. Brown also recommended Great Buns Bakery at 3270 E. Tropicana Ave. And Laurie Brenner emailed that Carlo’s Bakery at the Grand Canal Shoppes, 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. South, carries “the best cannolis and other Italian pastries. I love their sfogliatelle. It is worth the trip to the Strip.” …

For Bob Dunn, who’s looking for a local source for Moxie, Nancy Nolette emailed that she found it in single bottles at Cost Plus World Market at 3890 Blue Diamond Road. And Jim Brush reported spotting something novel at the new Haggen store at 1940 Village Center Circle: two small coolers filled with old-time soft drinks including Moxie, Dad’s Root Beer, cream soda and ginger beer. “Haven’t yet seen sarsaparilla, but I’ll inquire about it the next time I’m there,” he emailed. …

For Bob Helfand, who’s looking for raspberry vinegar, Nolette suggested making it by soaking a pint of raspberries and 1 cup of red wine vinegar for seven days in a covered container out of the sunlight, then straining the liquid, mashing the raspberries through the strainer, discarding the leftover pulp and storing the raspberry vinegar, covered, in the refrigerator. …

For Duane Washum, who’s looking for Heinz and Del Monte pickles, Dave Reynard, Dana LaFrana and Brown reported finding Del Monte at Glazier’s, and Brown said she found Heinz pickles there as well. …

For Pam Tallent, who’s looking for Snappy Grillers hot dogs, Aaron Deloye emailed that they’re not available locally in stores, but can be ordered via www.hofmannhotdogs.com. And I spotted them on the menu at Pizza Forte at Sunset Station, 1301 W. Sunset Road in Henderson. …

More on sugar cubes: Gail Fleck reported seeing them on closeout at Smith’s at 450 N. Nellis Blvd. in what surely is one of the last supermarket sightings.