From the street, Constellation Collective might look like just another coffee shop dotting the landscape of Collingswood’s Haddon Avenue, but the menu options inside tell another story.
I’ve been tracking the bakery/café from afar for some time. Partners Valentina Fortuna, Lindsey Ferguson and Maura Rosado met while working together at the Farm and Fisherman Tavern in Cherry Hill under chef-owner Todd Fuller. Fortuna was working there as a baker, and Ferguson and Rosado were working as servers and also looking to grow their pickling business, FareWell Foods. The trio then branched out on their own and crowd-funded enough money to open Constellation Collective in October 2015.
Soon after the 2018 Garden State Culinary Arts Awards crowned chef and co-owner Valentina Fortuna this year’s Rising Star Chef, I stopped in for lunch.
Constellation Collective describes itself as a “from-scratch bakery and café,” and while there’s certainly an abundance of beautiful looking pastries, cookies and cakes on display, there’s also a small list of seasonal savory lunch options available.
Pulled pork tacos
The pulled pork tacos, served on blue corn tortillas and topped with fresh tomatillo salsa, cheese, thinly sliced radish and hot sauce were excellent. The tortillas were heated and lightly toasted—always a good sign for tacos. The black bean and egg burrito was less interesting, but worthwhile to grab if you’re eating on the go.
We ordered the salad, featuring perfectly crispy and locally sourced greens from D&V Organics in Swedesboro that were dressed in green goddess dressing and topped with raw and pickled vegetables and shaved parmesan. I want to eat that salad every day for the rest of the summer.
Salad with raw and pickled vegetables, shaved parmesan and green goddess dressing
I took a slice of pistachio plum coffee cake to go, and would gladly return to sample some of the other baked goods. On the day I visited, lavender shortbread, vegan carrot muffins, chocolate chip rye scones and peanut butter cookies were available. You can also purchase Constellation Collective’s handmade goods—pastries, baked goods and all-things pickled and preserved—at their stand at the Collingswood Farmers’ Market, open on Saturdays from 8AM-noon.
Constellation Collective is open Tuesday-Sunday from 8AM-3PM, so dinner isn’t an option, but the breakfast and lunch fare they do serve, they do well.
Constellation Collective, 685 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood; 856-240-7787