I have been going for years. They have a fantastic selection of cheeses and assorted cold cuts. You can taste everything, from expensive olive oils, to aged balsamic vinegar. Did you know some balsamic vinegar (which should only be from Modena, Italy) is aged so long it attains a sweetness making it a natural accompaniment to ice cream! Better than Hershey’s syrup?
I purchased 4 cheeses today. Parmigiano Reggiano for the table, Piave Vecchio, a Stelvio from Alto Adige, and a wonderful chestnut cured cows milk cheese.
These cheeses are the freshest available in the city, and the prices are the lowest. This is a family run shop for at least 3 generations. They have an Italian specialty wine shop next door, but instead of spending my money on that, I have been known (when I was employed) to purchase olive oils more expensive than a good wine. I am talking $30 + bottles of Christmas olive oil, the olives are only picked at a certain time of year, first cold pressed of course!
They do not rush in this store, they talk about their products with great knowledge, and they let you taste everything, even the expensive Italian prosciutto! No, I did not go in with having a free lunch on my mind!
The cold cuts are delicious. They slice properly, they pack correctly, and the turnover is such that the product is super fresh. You can taste the difference, my spouse is having their cold cuts for dinner even as we speak! What a lousy husband I am, no home cooking!
It is so convenient to walk here now that I live on the east side, I hope Mario Batali does not think his Eatily will draw me to Flatiron (which is even closer).
DiPalo’s of Little Italy
200 Grand Street
212-336-1033
www.DiPaloSelects.com
you’re making me very hungry….what’s the scoop on carlo’s bakery from the cake boss? harry is dying to go on our way back from vacation…..oh great foodman: please advise us out-of-towners….are you around the 16th/17th july?