Donuts, eclairs, almond croissants and other traditional sweets line the pastry display at Buttercooky on Plandome Road in Manhasset. But a large expansion of the bakery’s dining area, set to open in as little as 10 days, will also give the shop an opportunity to expand into new cuisine: savory foods.
“We’re anxiously awaiting the opening of the expansion,” said Ben Borgognone, the founder of the store, which has a sister location in Floral Park.
“We’ll have soups, salads, crepes, quiche and even acai bowls.” The store will also offer breakfast items like egg sandwiches and oatmeal, he said.
The expansion is complete but the bakery needs final approval from the fire marshal before it can open.
Buttercooky was founded in 1962 with a bakery in Floral Park, which closed temporarily before Borgognone bought and reopened it in 1995. Ten years later the bakery opened its second location at 140 Plandome Road.
Borgognone said he went ahead with the expansion in August 2015 because “there weren’t many places in Manhasset to sit and have coffee and a light lunch.” He already owned the property adjoining his bakery, which at that time housed a stationery store called Bobby’s. The store moved nearby to George Street and Borgognone commenced renovation. The work was noisy, he said, but he kept the bakery open for normal business hours.
His wife, Barbara Borgognone, designed the expansion’s colors, lighting and flooring, he said.
“We both had a vision of doing a French patisserie,” he said.
Before the expansion, the bakery could seat six people. Now it will hold 36. Borgognone said he has recently hired as many as nine kitchen and wait staff members.
“I hope people come and enjoy this larger version of what we already do as well as our new lunch menu,” he said.
Borgognone said he has declined requests to film a reality television show at the bakery.
“I probably wouldn’t be good on TV,” he said.
Those who like Buttercooky’s sweets need not lament the direction of its expanded menu.
Alongside savory foods, the bakery will add gelato.
