Mazzola Bakery

Carroll Gardens used to be full of old-school Italian bakeries like Mazzola but now only a handful remain, including Caputo and Monteleone. Mazzola is famed for its lard bread, a tender, browned loaf studded with cured pork and provolone cheese, something you'll start tearing apart as soon you're out of the shop (there's no seating other than two benches right outside). The next day, if there's any left, it's terrific toasted and maybe topped with a slice of tomato or a dab of butter. The adorable corner shop also carries a full line of biscotti and sfogliatelle and does a bang-up job with non-Italian croissants and bagels. It’s also a great source for pizza dough you can roll out at home.