Best thing I ate: Mocco Bistro’s special cookies

What I ate: Kourabiedes at Mocco Bistro, 4004 South Blvd., $15 for 10 large ones, $1 each for smaller ones.

I love a secret, especially a place or a food with a surprise tucked inside. Mocco Bistro, the little Greek coffee shop and bakery, is easy to miss, tucked into a strip of shops next to an auto parts store on the busy section of South Boulevard near Scaleybark. Inside, the pastries cases are a revelation, with Chaido Lianou’s fancy tarts and chocolate creations, even pudding-like cups called baklava cheesecake.

The winner, though, is the simplest: Her version of the shortbread cookies kourabiedes (AKA qurabiya, polvoron, wedding cookies or sandies). Each one is covered in a Swiss alp of powdered sugar and has a secret – a whole almond tucked inside. Don’t wear a black shirt when you grab one of these beauties to enjoy with your coffee. (But if you do, it’s still totally worth it.)

This story was originally published August 16, 2017 at 9:33 AM with the headline "Best thing I ate: Mocco Bistro’s special cookies."