243656 Fri Aug 06 12:33:44 -0700 2004 10 19 Outer Boroughs 0 1294009 Oh my. Experienced it for the first time yesterday (I am looking to move into the 'hood!) It is served by the lb. - only $5.50 per pound. I got about $3.50 worth - which was a big piece. So big I had them put back the little baby cannoli I had selected too. Light, not greasy, bottom and sides sort of flan-ish even. Man, they know what they are doing there. Fri Aug 06 12:33:44 -0700 2004 0 chowgal 1 1294011 That cheesecake has been a personal obsession of mine for years. Just going in and having them cut a hunk off from that sheet cake on a Sunday morning. It's really the best I've ever had, anywhere. Fri Aug 06 13:06:20 -0700 2004 1294009 0 Scott Berkman 2 1294015 RIGHT?! Isn't it great to have that huge slab of cheesecake there for you to have a hunk of? Fri Aug 06 13:41:38 -0700 2004 1294011 0 chowgal 2 1294023 Alba in Bensonhurst is also a great spot for Italian cheesecake. It might even be a notch better than Monteleone's. I'd like to do a taste test. Fri Aug 06 15:33:31 -0700 2004 1294011 0 josh L 3 1294025 I got a third contender for ricotta cheesecake. Monte's Venetian Room on Carroll St., right near the Gowanus. Fri Aug 06 16:18:20 -0700 2004 1294023 0 Nina W. 4 1294435 I second the vote for Monte's Venetian Room I'm a big fan of Monteleone's - been going there for a decade now and love the little pastries, but I recently had Monte's cheese cake for the first time and for my money it was the absolute best (ricotta) cheese cake I've ever had. Tue Aug 17 15:43:48 -0700 2004 1294025 0 toml 1 1294012 I have heard rapture about their cheesecake also it's funny because I don't consider the rest of their pastry to be top notch. Much is over-glazed and they don't fill their cannoli for each order. -Mjr Fri Aug 06 13:07:21 -0700 2004 1294009 0 mjr_inthegardens 2 1294027 Not rapturous, but I'll rupture if I have another slice! This is similar to the Venieros (11th street between 1st and 2nd aves. Manhattan) version, which I prefer. Monteleones' is too sweet. Fri Aug 06 16:42:24 -0700 2004 1294012 0 editedby 1 1294013 Are you talking about Monteleone's on Newark Ave in Jersey City? My First Holy Communion cake came from there - but it was their rum cake - which I still think is one of the best cake's ever! Fri Aug 06 13:28:56 -0700 2004 1294009 0 Andrew B 2 1294014 No way. It is in Brooklyn's Carroll Gardens area on Court Street. BTW - there seem to be more bakeries per square mile in that area than any other part of the city I would venture. Makes me FRIGHTENED to move there as I foresee the widening of several body sections. Fri Aug 06 13:40:52 -0700 2004 1294013 0 chowgal 3 1294032 Most bakeries??? You need to get out more...try arthur ave...astoria even. Sat Aug 07 01:43:28 -0700 2004 1294014 0 Jackie