Breaking news: Benedict Cumberbatch ate his first cannoli in Boston

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Over the weekend, we got an email from a Bostonian Cumberbitch asking for our help in Cumberstalking the Batch in Boston. I wish we could help! For what it’s worth, it seems like the Boston papers are keeping tabs on Benedict, and the paparazzi seem to find him at least once or twice a week, so that’s something. And now People Mag is getting in the mix. For what it’s worth, this People Mag article probably didn’t come from a Cumberbitch. I think the owner of a local Boston restaurant just wanted some press, so they leaked some information to People. Anyway, BREAKING NEWS: Benedict Cumberbatch ate a cannoli. FOR REAL.

Johnny Depp isn’t the only member of the Black Mass cast enjoying the food in Boston. Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch headed to Boston’s Italian neighborhood, the North End, on Saturday, where he ate his first-ever cannoli.

Cumberbatch, along with his Black Mass costars including Joel Edgerton and Breaking Bad star Jesse Plemmons, headed to the popular Modern Pastry for coffee and cannolis after dinner on Saturday evening. For his first foray into the Modern’s specialty, Cumberbatch chose a plain ricotta cannoli.

Earlier on Saturday, Benedict and friends dined family-style at Carmelina’s on Hanover Street, where they feasted on meatballs, exploding clams, asparagus baked with quail egg and shaved parmesan and black garlic beef.

“He’s a great guy,” said Carmelina’s owner/chef Damien DiPaola, who has a small role in the film. “He’s a gentleman. He was so happy to be in the North End. He loved the atmosphere.”

DiPaola said that the movie stars weren’t stingy with the staff at Carmelina’s, either.

“They were excellent tippers,” said DiPaola. “The staff was very happy.”

Cumberbatch has been keeping a pretty low profile in his off-hours while filming Black Mass, in which he stars as Billy Bulger, the brother of infamous Boston gangster Whitey Bulger. Last week, he was spotted hanging at the bar at Sonsie Cafe and chatting with the film’s crew between takes outside the Harvard Club.

[From People]

That sounds like so much food. Then again, there were three dudes stuffing their faces, so it’s not like Benedict wandered into a restaurant solo and demanded that they bring him one of everything. Exploding clams and cannolis, stat!! I like Italian food a lot, so I don’t know why Benedict didn’t invite me. I totally would have gone with him for some meatballs and “black garlic beef.” MMmmm. And I’m glad to hear they were good tippers too. What would you do if you were waiting on Benedict Cumberbatch? I would lose my sh-t I think. I probably would bring him everything on the menu.

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Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.

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110 Responses to “Breaking news: Benedict Cumberbatch ate his first cannoli in Boston”

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  1. Jessi says:

    I had the briefest mental image of him seductively licking cream off his fingers…and then I lost consciousness.

    But really, award for most pointless article ever written about a celebrity might be that one. Congrats, People.

  2. Sullivan says:

    Late bloomer.

  3. Erinn says:

    I have never had a cannoli – I think I may need to try to make some. They look and sound delicious.

    • PunkyMomma says:

      A bit of heaven, cannoli, truly. I’m still in a Otter bliss at the thought of My Otter + ricotta cheese filling. To die for.

    • Lilacflowers says:

      @Erinn, Not easy to make!

      @PunkyMomma, you forgot the powdered sugar!

      • PunkyMomma says:

        @Lilacflowers – My Otter wearing a coat of powered sugar, sigh. With ricotta cheese. Sigh.

  4. Sighs says:

    First: hilarious headline. Love it.
    Second: how do you get to be that age and never have a cannoli?
    Third: what is an exploding clam? That sounds dangerous.

    • Jaderu says:

      Don’t run with scissors
      Don’t take candy from strangers
      Don’t eat things that are exploding
      That’s like the Mom Advice Holy Trinity. Everyone knows this.

    • Snazzy says:

      I’ve never had one either … Needs to be rectified, I think!

  5. Jaderu says:

    How is he keeping a low profile if I know that he was eating exploding clams on Hanover street?
    “Exploding Clams on Hanover Street” sounds like a title of a Hardy Boys mystery by the way.

    • Duri says:

      Him and the cast are trying their best to be low prifile. So it’s not his fault that the restaurant owner had the urge to open his mouth on twitter and write what all happened and also posted a pic with all the crew and actors who came by.

      It’s not hard for the People mag reporters to find those tweets and then contact the owner who would with pleasure say all the details as it will help his business.

  6. Eleonor says:

    Oh Benedict honey you could have said you’re into Italian food. I am Italian, if you marry me I’ll cook you the hell out of my kitchen, I promise.

  7. GeeMoney says:

    I don’t see why this is news… but I can’t complain. Benedict is the best!

  8. PunkyMomma says:

    My Otter loves his bivalves. Exploding or not. (I’m going a million lewd places with Cumby and exploding clams.)

    • kri says:

      Not the most riveting headline ever….but I would love to watch him feast on my exploding clam. I am so sorry, everyone. I know, I know. Take my panties, leave the cannoli!
      *hangs head in shame*

    • Encumbered says:

      Looking at the picture of exploding clams does indicate that there is a cherry of sorts involved….Would have saved it for him if I’d known.

  9. SophieK says:

    Never had a cannoli, huh? Oh-kay…well, I hope his first one was a good one. 😉 I’m Italian and I’ve some pretty bad cannolis that can make a person never want another one. Never has an exploding clam myself. That’s a new one for me.

    LOL at this whole story though. It’s like they’re digging for any excuse to write something about Ben.

    • TQB says:

      Modern Pastry’s cannoli will make you never want to eat any but theirs!

      • SophieK says:

        They definitely sound delicious, possibly even worth the 6-hr drive to Boston to sample a cannoli. 🙂

        Sounds like Benny had himself a great cannoli to lose his cannoli virginity with. 😉

      • Sunny says:

        They are pretty good. I was recently in Boston where I had some and my god is that place always busy.

        I will say though that as a Canadian, the best Italian food I have had outside of Italy is in Mtl(they have a fairly robust italian community) and that the cannolis I had in Boston were not as good as some of the ones we have here. 🙂

    • Ponytail says:

      He’s British (like me) so it isn’t beyond the realm of possibility that he’s never had a cannoli. I’ve just had to google it to discover a) it’s sweet which means b) it’s not a calzone (I assumed they were the same thing) and c) I have never seen one for sale anywhere.

      • Tiffany :) says:

        I used to mix up cannoli and cannelloni! Very different things, lol.

      • Old Enough says:

        I believe they are a sicilian delicacy. Maybe not too many sicilian italian restaurants in London

  10. Jen says:

    Fascinating. -__-

  11. Allison says:

    Batch and Lance are hanging out??!?! Do I have enough Southwest points to fly to Boston?

  12. MaddieH says:

    Am I the only one thinking this story was planted by his publicist to show that he is not as stingy as it it was rumored?

    • Jessi says:

      He ate a 6 course meal and 9 cannolis while the rest of the cast shared one loaf of garlic bread. And then he took the five-finger discount and bounced.

      *eye roll* Maybe I should write for a gossip rag? 😀 (I’m bored at work today).

      • Shiv says:

        Garlic bread 😂😂😂 You forgot about the four bottles of wine he had to himself while the rest of them drank water.

    • Katie says:

      Sadly, mags actually canvas for stuff like this and naturally places oblige because they can use the free PR. If his PR was behind it, we’d not have a recycled pic.

      It has been a slow couple weeks everywhere. Between this and the upteen Miley Cyrus’ dog shrine or Osbourne head tat article, it’s like the celeb press is out of topics!

  13. Ag says:

    “had his first cannoli.” is that an euphemism?

  14. LucyStarr says:

    I can see why they might’ve gone to Modern Pastry instead of Mike’s – Mike’s is a total tourist trap, but their cannolis really are to die for. You have to wait in line for an hour sometimes to get one.

    Now I want cannolis.

    • TQB says:

      NOOOO!! The first thing that entered my mind when I read the headline was “OH PLEASE DON’T LET HIM HAVE GONE TO MIKE’S!!!” Mike’s pre-fills their shells. Modern makes them fresh to order!

      • Jennifer says:

        Haha – I thought the same thing!

      • Msmlnp says:

        Great minds think alike! Me 3!

      • Marigold says:

        I was really afraid to look for fear it would say “Mike’s.” Modern makes their own filling. Mike’s does not. No comparison. End of story.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        And Mike’s makes them in flavors that no self-respecting real cannoli would be caught dead being. (Okay, I admit that they are tasty and wouldn’t throw one away if handed to me, but I’m a Modern girl.) Modern sticks to the classics: ricotta, chocolate, or vanilla custard. Here’s the link. http://www.modernpastry.com/

        What I’m finding amusing is that several weeks ago, a co-worker and I went on a cannoli run to Modern for the office. We ran into Depp and others filming scenes around the corner.

  15. Kiddo says:

    I hope there is a later update as to how effective his bowel movements were following his foray into new food. We can’t know enough, people!

  16. 'P'enny says:

    “TH-Bomb or not to TH-Bomb” that is the question 😉 week to filming Lilacflowers, and to our rest of our joint TH/BC lovers.

    But, I am still waiting for johnny Depp and Benedict go clubbing, dancing, and shaking the tree story. I think these two will get on great, Johnny has a british sense of humour. Want that pic of them hugging but no Johnny in bald head pic.

    • Janeite says:

      I’m gonna go with no TH bomb. This thread has enough potential for hilarity and goofiness already what with Cumby losing his cannoli virginity and all.

    • Intro Outro says:

      I am with Janeite, no bombing (although HR cast had their first meeting today lol). I am more interested in whether Cumby will truly occupy 3rd place after Kardashians and LeAnn Rimes as CB’s most frequently covered celeb 😛

      • Janeite says:

        Cumby could easily take 3rd. T Hiddy’s threads get a lot of comments but our boy Benny C. gets more threads overall.

        And I’m trying to think of a way to combine Benedict Cumberbatch’s name with the word “cannoli”. Where is Secret Squirrel? She’s good at that kind of thing.

      • sonalaceae (Nighty) says:

        Cannolli benedicti (blessed cannolis in “latin”)
        or cannolo benedictus (singular)

      • jammypants says:

        Cumbernoli

      • Anne tommy says:

        Wow. Classy company. Talking of which…Benny is one of the hot new Brit types that’s been invited to some sort of a “do” by David Cameron, British prime minister, happening in the next few days. Pictures no doubt, maybe BC will photobomb the policeman outside the door at 10 Downing st.

        That’s enough – in fact far too much – Benny, I know there is a bomb ban but just got to say…oh Tom… That’s it.

      • Janeite says:

        Sonalaceae,
        Try to say those out loud without laughing! Excellent suggestions! We need nicknames for BC because we have them for Hiddles and I feel equal treatment is called for.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @anneTommy and MissMary, what is this event?

      • Janeite says:

        Jammypants,
        I love Cumbernoli!!

      • M.A.F. says:

        This is the second mention of the film having a meeting, where was this originally reported?

      • Intro Outro says:

        @M.A.F.: Shearsmith tweeted about it.

      • Isadora says:

        Cumbernoli sounds like the equivalent to the Hiddlesconda, tbh. 😀

      • jammypants says:

        @Janeite, *bows* I aim to please.

    • MissMary says:

      @AnneTommy: The ‘do is this evening so it’s doubtful he’s going.

    • Lilacflowers says:

      @’p’enny, This morning, they were filming scenes about the busing incidents in Southie (court ordered desegregation of schools in the 70s, not Boston’s finest hour). Some friends said watching it was like reliving horrible moments from their childhood.

      No night-clubbing reports. Depp and other crew members have been making the rounds to concerts in town with Depp performing through Willie Nelson’s entire set last week – I was on the opposite side of the stage. DRAT!

      The Red Sox are back in town after road trip so I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the cast show up at Fenway tonight. With all BC’s trekking to sporting events all over recently, it would make sense if he attended a game at Updike’s “lyric little bandbox of a ballpark.”

      And I vote “no” on thread bombing today. Tomorrow may be a different story.

      • 'P'enny says:

        Depp not inviting Benny? mmm have they not had chance to bond yet or is the lovely Depp annoyed that he is filming with an actor that will most likely actually steal his thunder and act him off the screen in this film?

      • Lilacflowers says:

        Well, some of the concerts were well before he arrived. The Willie Nelson concert was after he arrived; he may have chosen not to go. I doubt Depp is afraid of him. He seems really into playing Whitey.

    • MissMary says:

      @LilacFlowers: Cameron was trying to do a “Cool Britannia” thing and it apparently flopped big time. Few or none of the “big time” stars he invited showed.

      ETA: It DID have attendees, including John Barrowman and NAtalie Dormer, but many of the publicized invitees didn’t show.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        Ah, thank you, MissMary. I see he did attract Harvey Weinstein. Maybe everyone is avoiding both of them.

      • 'P'enny says:

        it’s because the conservative party have destroyed the creative industries funding and now they are creeping back and trying to restore good faith and it’s too late. Benedict and others have good sense tell him Cameron and his cronies where to get off. The only friend he has his Helena B-Carter who needs a kick for supporting him,

    • neverland says:

      Leave the Hiddleston stuff for the Hiddleston threads. There’ll be more than enough to talk about with High Rise filming starting soon and that must-not-be-named blog. All I will say here is I’m wondering why people who (apparently) know the truth are acting like they have something to hide rather than just… you know, telling the truth. And I mean properly telling the truth, not “Oh you’re completely right, it’s all lies but I can’t tell you more because it’s complicated”.

  17. InvaderTak says:

    Is it officially a slow celebrity news day now? lol love Benny Le Batch, but yeesh.

  18. Stellainnh says:

    My daughter is distraught at the news because she had planned to go on a cumberhunt this past weekend with friends and it fell through. She does have back up plans and I will keep you posted if she catches the cumberbatch. Modern Pastry is one of the manditory stops whenever we are in Boston. The cannolis are wonderful there.

  19. joey says:

    holy dennis quaid!

  20. Green Eyes says:

    Holy craparoni! Was this on Saturday? My friend went to the North End with her mom on Saturday afternoon and ate at Carmelina’s and had dessert at Modern! She doesn’t know who Le Batch is so I shouldn’t even bother asking her if she saw him. But that is too weird…

  21. Maria of MD says:

    CANNOLI!!!! Good stuff.

  22. Miss Jupitero says:

    I used to live on the North End! *bounce*

    Cannoli is a way of life there.

    • Janeite says:

      Cannoli should be a way of life everywhere. Good to see Cumby finally enjoying one. Or several.

      • Miss Jupitero says:

        Of course it is only good if it is from MODERN Bakery. I hope he stayed clear of Mike’s.

  23. Sunflower the grammar nanny says:

    Came to see if there was a new thread today and this one did not disappoint!

  24. Green Girl says:

    I’m just glad to hear he’s a good tipper!

    I can’t imagine being a server to the stars, though. I guess after awhile you just get used to it, but I would seriously be a wreck if I had to wait on some of the celebrities I really like, especially if it’s in a restaurant that’s not exactly a celebrity spot.

  25. bookwormfoodie says:

    So much funny with this story! I really hope that when we get a glimpse of John’s computer screen during the next season of Sherlock that it shows “Holy Cannoli!: The Mysterious Case of the Exploding Clams”. I’m so relieved to know that BC is no longer a cannoli virgin.

  26. Lilacflowers says:

    Wait just one second! Coffee? Does the above say he drank COFFEE? Coffee? In the North End of Boston? I cry FOUL!!! I’m not sure coffee is served in the North End. Cappuccino or Espresso, yes; but nothing as mundane as coffee.

    • sonalaceae (Nighty) says:

      @Lilac, probably just a mistake from someone who doesn’t understand coffee, cappuccino, frappuccinos and so on….
      Best coffees of the world: Brazil, Portugal, Italy…. These three countries sure know what coffee is… that means: espresso… 🙂

      • Lilacflowers says:

        Coffee is Austria is rather good. In fact, that’s one of the few places where I’ll actually order it. I prefer tea.

      • Ellen says:

        Hot chocolate from Switzerland is the best. Not too rich and not too weak.

      • Lilacflowers says:

        @Ellen, cold chocolate from Switzerland is rather delicious too!

      • Isadora says:

        For coffee I’d stay in the countries Nighty mentioned. For sweets, cakes and delicious hot beverages, yes, take me to the Alps! (Although cannoli look delicious too.)

      • sonalaceae (Nighty) says:

        @Isadora, you’ve never tasted our Portuguese custard tart… You have it normal (with a taste of lemon and cinnamon, with chocolate filling…

        *Now I understand the poor pavlov’s dogs….*

        Chocolate from Switzerland, nhamii,.. Yoghurts from Spain (Danone)…

        Oh, oh my…

    • sonalaceae (Nighty) says:

      @Lilac if you ask for a cup of coffee here in Portugal, this is what you’ll get..

      *just posting because of the images*

      http://aquelebagacinho.blogspot.pt/2010/10/nova-arma-chavena-de-cafe.html

      http://chavena.com/artigos/como-fazer-degustacao-cafe

  27. Sacred And Profane says:

    Singular: Cannolo.
    Plural: Cannoli.
    No “s” required.

    I was very pleased to read Joel Edgerton was there. He’s such a lovely bloke, and a great actor.

    • sonalaceae (Nighty) says:

      When I read your comment I was afraid I had written it wrongly, the plural form… Though I did put two ll.. darn…
      In italian plural is formed by turning o to i, and a to e, right?
      ragazzo- ragazzi
      ragazza – ragazze

      Oh, I wrote cannolis at a certain point, but it was to emphasize plural… ouch… 🙁

    • Janeite says:

      The things one can learn here at Celebitchy! 🙂

    • Clairewobble says:

      Hi Patris! Where did you read the rumor that BC will attend San Diego Comic con? Thank you!

      Edited: Why the hell did vanity fair made that video? BUT I DON’T WANT TO BE HIS FRIEND! I want to be the CUMBERWIFE! fail fail vanity fair!

    • sonalaceae (Nighty) says:

      Patris, i make your words mine… 🙂

  28. Felice says:

    I honestly thought that he could’ve gone to Lady Gaga’s Boston show but I guess that was a one-off thing

  29. Ellen says:

    Man gets good he might of had before ….. Hmm not exactly news is it?

    • neverland says:

      I did a double-take when I saw this in the news feed, but I suppose we can’t complain too much. These threads are as much about the commenters’ conversations as the celeb news so it could be anything really. Having said that there’s still a couple of BC threads open which don’t have many comments at all, so it’s not like we were gasping for one.