De Robertis - Pasticceria and caffé - I cannoli have one cause i'm broke

John was at the counter when i went to De Robertis, a pastry shop specializing in Italian sweets on 1 st ave. in the east village. "Are you the owner?" "No, but it's a family business."

I told him i heard their cafe is like a New York institution. I had heard a lot of things about it. "How long have you been around?" i asked.

He pointed to the words on the front door. "Since 1904; 105 years," he replied.

Wow, "I'm impressed, that's a long time," i said. "So, like you're grand or great..."

"My great grandfather opened it."

He offered me a few things to try: a cannoli, a pignoli (almond and pine nut cookie), a regina cookie (sesame), a rainbow cookie and a chocolate buttercream cake.

- I canoli have one cause i'm broke, but i may try another -

I usually love canoli and i am willing to try another; i felt the cheese was a little thick. If you like your cheese thick, then i guess this is the cannoli for you.
The buttercream was rich and good on the cake.
I liked the pignoli. (Never had it before)

They have a lot more pastry to choose from and there is a cafe in the back so you can order yourself a cappuccino.

I asked if there were any celebrities that came in (I'm not sure why). He pointed to the photos on the wall and then he said, "Meadow from the Sopranos was in here last week, they are shooting a scene for Ugly Betty, i guess she's going to be in season
4."

"As a guest star?" i asked.
"I'm not sure."

"Does Robert De Niro ever come in?" i asked. I was channeling my Perez Hilton all of a sudden.

"Sure, he's come in."