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Baklava cheesecake. Pistachio tiramisu. Fresh-fruit bubble teas. House-made nut milks. Ice cream. Empanadas. Avocado toast. And soon, espresso martinis.
Calling the new Dolcino Caffé in Farmingdale simply a coffee shop doesn’t quite do it justice.
Three years after opening its first location in Sea Cliff, the brand debuted its second café Saturday at 91 Hempstead Turnpike in Fulton Plaza. Its globally inspired menu makes it feel — and taste — like much more than a traditional neighborhood coffee spot.
“It’s not just about food, it’s about getting the full experience with your coffee,” owner Aseem Malik told Greater Long Island.
Rather than relying on mass-produced beans, Dolcino roasts its coffee in small batches at its Sea Cliff location. The beans are sourced from a small farm in Colombia and roasted regularly to ensure maximum freshness.
“Fresh is the key,” Malik said. “It’s not sitting around for six months waiting to be served. That’s why we brew in micro batches. Fresh makes it taste so much better.”
Along with traditional espresso drinks, lattes and cappuccinos, the menu features smoothies, refreshers, milkshakes and an extensive selection of chai beverages.
For customers looking to try something different, Dolcino is also introducing FRUBA.
“It’s not a regular bubble tea,” Malik said. “It’s bubble tea made with fresh fruit.”
The dessert case, however, may be the café’s biggest draw.
“We have sweet tastes represented from all over the world,” Malik said. “Italian, Greek, Chinese, Turkish, the U.S.”
Dolcino also makes its nut milks in-house and offers vegan and gluten-free options throughout the menu.
And the concept is still evolving.
Malik said the Farmingdale café is expected to begin serving alcohol next month. The evening menu will include espresso martinis and other specialty drinks, adding a nightlife element to a café that already stays open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
“We are anything but an ordinary coffee place,” he said.
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