Overlook news...
July 16,2008
North Portland's Sweet Spot
by pearlgirl
Pat DiPrima LeConche has created a community institution in North Portland—and that's just what she intended.
LeConche and hubby Robin moved from New York to the Overlook neighborhood in 1993. Unlike New York—where delicious Italian baked goods are readily available—Portland was lacking. Non era buono! So,the second-generation Italian American began to bake... and bake... and bake. She began testing recipes at home and then, after realizing she'd like to serve these delicious baked goods to her friends and neighbors, went to culinary school for a pastry program and bread training. "I was at the point in life that I either went for it or forgot it," she remembers, "so I jumped in with both feet!"
On June 13, 2002, LeConche opened DiPrima Dolci (pronounced Dee-preema Dol-chee) Italian Bakery and Cafe just five short blocks from her home. She very intentionally created a neighborhood bakery where her neighbors could commune with each other, feeding their bodies—but most importantly, feeding their souls.
LeConche makes baking a full contact sport—she loves her customers and they love her right back. There's a whole lot of face pinching, hugging and laughing going on at this community institution.
"Neighborhood has been a traditional value to Italians since Roman times," LeConche explains. "As you know, the idea of piazza and assembling in a neighborhood place is a specialty of many cultures, but Italians are well-known for it. I remember the Italian neighborhoods in NY and the importance of people being together. We had a big family, and we had to get together every Sunday, and often during the week a few times too. Neighborhood has become an extension of family to me, and has been that for many Italian immigrants to the US for many years. It's just natural that people of like mind would live together. We like food!"
Oh yeah—food. If you're looking for a real Italian bakery in Portland, to quote a friend, "RUN, don't walk to DiPrima Dolci!" The bakery specializes in Italian traditions. They feature cannoli and other fine Italian pastries, traditional Italian bread baked daily, soup, and sandwiches served on their their fresh breads. DiPrima Dolci makes special pastries and breads fr Christmas, Easter and other Italian holidays. Everything is prepared and baked on the premises using "old-world" techniques: Everything is made by hand—the bread (no shaping machines, scaling machines, etc), the pastries are made by hand and are decorated by hand. They use simple ingredients that are prepared on site (fresh fruit and fresh vegetables). LeConche even makes her own tomato sauce just like her mom and her grandmother.
The bakery case at DiPrima Dolci is unreal. It offers the most delicious and tantalizing array of sweets imagineable.
Cannoli filled to order and other pastries and tarts...
The bakery serves Bacchellieri espresso and coffee, an Italian-style coffee from Longbottoms Coffee and Tea.
And then there is the selection of bread! You know you've got it going on when you need a bread schedule—pick one up when you visit the bakery. Again, the selection boggles the mind!
The dining room is bright, cheerful and a great place to hang out. It's full of personal touches that make it homey.
But, the best-kept secret of all is the amazing garden patio where LeConche grows parsley (Italian, of course), basil, rosemary, sage, thyme, tarragon, and edible flowers too. She also grows her own tomatoes!
The patio is a hidden treasure. It's tucked away from the outside world—a great place to enjoy a killer meal.
On our first visit, we tried the "Joey" (Goat cheese, red onion, roasted peppers and greens served open-face on DiPrima Dolci's Ciabatta served warm...$8.50)—it was served with a really tasty bean salad. I've thought about this sandwich A LOT since our visit.
Yes, it was that good.
LeConche is proud to have a staff "from the neighborhood." This is Nick—it's highly likely that you'll see him when you visit the bakery.
This is the "Papa D Hero" (Coppacolla, Genoa and Soppresatta salamis, Provolone, red onion, lettuce, roasted peppers and balsamic vinaigrette warm on Ciabatta...$8.75) also served with the bean salad. Oh.My.God. Soooooooooo yummy!
DiPrima Dolci is also open for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights! They serve a special antipasti/dinner menu with Italian wines and beer.
Obviously, the best part of all about DiPrima Dolci is Pat herself. Absolutely adorable. When you visit DiPrima Dolci, you get refueled with her positive energy and love of community—it's in every bite she serves.
Feel the Love
Here's what Pat has to say about North Portland:
"North Portland is almost like a retreat from the rest of the city in some ways. It isn't a place that people go through to get to other places in the city, so if you're here, you mean it. I love it here because it is a little rough-around-the-edges, but well-mannered and surprisingly quiet. (total opposite of me except for the rough-edge part)."
