Starbucks Is Bringing An Italian Bakery Chain To The U.S., And It Looks Magical

Coffee fans rejoice!
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Move over, egg bites and cake pops. Starbucks is launching an Italian café chain in the U.S., marking the first time in the brand’s history it will feature food baked onsite.

Visitors shop a range of fresh-baked goods at Princi, the new Starbucks-owned bakery and cafe in Seattle.
Starbucks
Visitors shop a range of fresh-baked goods at Princi, the new Starbucks-owned bakery and cafe in Seattle.

Called Princi, the eatery has more than 100 menu items including Italian-style pastries, focaccia sandwiches, salads and pizzas, with all breads and baked items made in the store’s centerpiece oven. The first Princi location opened Tuesday at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle, and the company has plans to expand shortly.

At Princi, food is baked fresh onsite in a giant central oven.
Starbucks
At Princi, food is baked fresh onsite in a giant central oven.
The Princi name is known in Europe for fresh-baked breads, according to Starbucks.
Starbucks
The Princi name is known in Europe for fresh-baked breads, according to Starbucks.

Princi is a bakery chain with existing locations in Milan and London. In 2016, Starbucks announced it had struck a deal to bring it to the U.S., and will open Princi bakeries along with five more of its upscale Reserve locations around the world starting next month. The company said it plans to open standalone Princi bakeries around the U.S. in 2018.

That means ’Bucks fiends will soon be able to enjoy wood-fired pizza, buffalo mozzarella and berry-filled tarts along with their coffee. Items are priced between $3 and $11.

The Princi menu includes focaccia pizza "brushed with housemade pomodoro sauce," according to a Starbucks press release.
Starbucks
The Princi menu includes focaccia pizza "brushed with housemade pomodoro sauce," according to a Starbucks press release.
For breakfast, visitors can expect pastries like cornetti, which are similar to croissants.
Starbucks
For breakfast, visitors can expect pastries like cornetti, which are similar to croissants.
Lunch options include sandwiches and salads.
Starbucks
Lunch options include sandwiches and salads.
Crostata fragola, a strawberry tart, is a highlight of the dessert menu.
Starbucks
Crostata fragola, a strawberry tart, is a highlight of the dessert menu.

A couple of food bloggers who reviewed Princi’s offerings say the pizza is “beautiful” and the pastries are “flaky and buttery” in a way that makes your mouth “do a happy dance.” The spot has yet to see any Yelp feedback, though it’s surely coming.

Earlier this year, Starbucks ended its “Starbucks Evenings” program, which featured beer, wine and appetizer-like bites served after 4 p.m. in some locations. The company is now starting to focus on lunch, USA Today reported in September. They’re currently offering new items like a hearty Cubano sandwich and cauliflower tabbouleh salad in select Chicago and Seattle stores, with plans to expand the menu across the U.S. in the future.

This beats an egg bite any day.

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