Who doesn’t love chocolate?
Alexandra Eglezos of Bayside opened Zaharenia, Greek for “sweetness,” in January after 25 years in the chocolate business.
“It got hard to bake out of my own house, I needed more space and I knew there was a demand for chocolate. People want personalized service and a fair price. I do my best to accommodate everyone,” Eglezos said.
Located at 222-20 Union Turnpike in Oakland Gardens, Zaharenia is a specialty chocolate and cupcake bakery designed for anyone with a sweet tooth. They offer mini and regular-sized cupcakes, chocolate covered pretzels, strawberries and graham crackers, chocolate cigars, chocolate dipped caramel apples, old-fashioned penny candy, customizable chocolate wrappers, favors and centerpieces and Greek pastries.
“We offer all the old time candy and chocolates that got phased out over time,” said Eglezos.
There are also sugar-free miniature chocolates and chocolate covered pretzels, or gluten and sugar-free cupcakes, as well as favors available by special order for all occasions.
Zaharenia sells regular and mini cupcakes in a variety of flavors: vanilla, chocolate, devil’s food, red velvet, cookies n’ cream, rocky road, banana, pineapple, strawberry shortcake, coconut, carrot and lemon-lime. There are flavors of the week offered each week.
Have a cup of fresh brewed coffee, tea, hot chocolate, frappe or pink lemonade to go along with your sweets.
Customers can also custom order fondant wedding cake, cupcake towers, the Giant Cupcake Lollipop “cakes” and personalized chocolate bars. A 3 pound, 9 inch tall Chocolate Pedestal can be custom ordered as a centerpiece filled with miniature chocolates, chocolate covered strawberries or pretzels. Zaharenia also offers caramel and white chocolate dipped bride and groom apples for weddings and bridal showers.
There are special chocolates created specifically for Easter and Christmas, including chocolate rabbits, Christmas trees and snowmen.
All baking is done on premises and everything is handmade from scratch using all natural ingredients by Eglezos herself, who doesn’t use any preservatives or stabilizers.
If you’re ready to satisfy your craving, stop by Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12 to 7 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 12 to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., or visit https://zaharenia.vpweb.com. – Catherine M. Lozada
