Dolcino Caffé opens in Sea Cliff and Farmingdale

What was once a home decor store in Sea Cliff, Restoration Oak, was transformed into a dessert and coffee shop collaboration in 2023 — Dessertino and The Crafty Spoon. This week, the two brands have evolved into Dolcino Caffé, a similar idea, with the addition of savory toasts and breakfast sandwiches. Plus, a second location has opened in Farmingdale off Hempstead Turnpike.

It was Aseem Malik’s sister, a baker, who originally began working with The Crafty Spoon’s Omar Rivera and Dina Corigliano. A data scientist by day, Malik decided to invest in learning about coffee and dessert, surprising himself when he realized he shared his sister’s passion for the food space. The Bay Shore resident got his full barista certificate, furthering the budding brand’s coffee legacy with Rivera, a carpenter by trade with a penchant for roasting coffee, and Corigliano, a practicing attorney.

The small-batch beans that Rivera is roasting — under the label The Crafty Spoon at the Sea Cliff location — come from microfarms in his native Colombia, and there’s something for every kind of drinker. There are coffee drinks, from simple cups — drips ($3.49+), dirty chais ($4.99+), lattes ($4.49+) — to elaborate clouds ($5.99, topped with foam) and signature lattes ($4.99+) like Nutella, Biscoff and pistachio. For non-java drinkers, try the frubas ($6.99), Taiwanese boba teas made with fruit, or refreshers ($5.49+) like guava mango lemonades and Arnold Palmers. Additionally, there are juice-based smoothies ($9.99) and ice cream shakes ($9.99). 

Feeling hungry? Peruse the plentiful, colorful sweets on display behind glass cases at both spots. Malik sources "pastries from different bakers across Long Island, covering different cultural communities," he said, including Turkish baklava,  Italian desserts, Greek pastries and "ice cream for the kids." In addition to the sweet treats, both Dolcinos carry savory and sweet toasts — the crunchy PB&J topped with banana, strawberries and pistachios is a peanut lover’s dream — as well as croissants, pastries, cookies and breakfast sandwiches, including bacon, egg and cheese options, plus Argentinian empanadas ($6.99), egglet bites ($6.49), quiche ($7.49) and chicken kebab rolls wrapped in naan ($9.49)

Next up for the new brand: growing the roasting side of the business and expanding into more neighborhoods with the incorporation of cocktails and alcohol into the drinks menu. About the name change, Malik said, "Dessertino felt like a dessert shop, and we’re now going past dessert with our offerings."

Dolcino Caffé at The Crafty Spoon, 227 Glen Cove Ave., Sea Cliff, 516-817-9421. Dolcino Caffé, 91B Hempstead Tpke., Farmingdale, 516-760-7656, dolcinocaffe.com. Open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.