Royal Crown Bakery

Profile

Olive bread, prosciutto loaves and yard-long crusty baguettes are just the beginning of the goods at this happening, family-run Staten Island café. Bagels take an Italian turn—baked in a wood-fired pizza oven, not boiled—and flavored with black olives and onions or prosciutto along with more traditional choices. In addition to eggs and sandwiches from the kitchen (shared by Royal Cucina Café next door), brunches offer the bakery's weekend-only chocolate bread, a golden-crusted white dough laced with bitter and white chocolate. The space is all Little Italy-style green faux malachite and shiny, pseudo-gilt trim, brightened by tempera frescoes set into wainscoted wall panels. Balmy nights bring out sidewalk tables full of conversation and people-watching over strong Italian coffee and nutty biscotti. — Helen Zelon

Royal Crown bakes on premises in Staten Island and bakes for the wholesale trade in its Brooklyn venue, at 14th Avenue and 65th Street.