Located on Second Street which is actually Main Street in Lewes, Touch of Italy has made a name for itself up and down the Delaware and Maryland Beaches.
That’s our table on the corner of their cozy wine room. Just a few tables to be intimate and conducive to conversation.
I always ask for a Chianti. It sets the mood. ?
The Soup of the Day was Wedding Soup. TC loves it and it was very much enjoyed.
A side of Spinach was all that was needed.
The next dish dish was the Pollo Alla Parmigiana or Chicken Parm. A specialty of the house. As you can see it was huge and could very well be shared. It was breaded with their own crumbs, pan seared and then topped with munster cheese and their original tomato sauce. Served with a side of spaghetti. Leftovers galore ?
No dessert was necessary but they do have some good ones to eat in or for takeout. Their pignoli cookies are the best.
And their Eclairs are the biggest and best too. Just saying ??
An Italian shop it is. Fresh mozzarella made every day, hams and cheeses, etc.
It’s a beautiful weekend. Enjoy. AboutMyBeaches is on Facebook and Instagram.
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I had heard it before; Philadelphia has a reputation for culinary excellence; the immigrant population having contributed to a large mixture of tastes.
I read a paragraph by Mark Glickman who wrote The Foods of Philadelphia and he described it best. You can find representations of these foods (soft pretzel, Philly Cheese Steak), elsewhere. But, only in Philadelphia and its environs can you find the real thing. You might get a soft pretzel at a mall in Cincinnati, or a Philly Cheese Steak at a cafe in California and wonder “What’s the big deal? Come to Philadelphia, and you will find out.
It is definitely different and I am enjoying learning about it.
In my last post I told you that there was more walking to be done. Leaving Parc located at Rittenhouse Square we kept on a good pace but something caught my attention when a door opened. I was not even paying attention, but the produce looked beautiful. Of course, we had to go in. What a surprise!! What a market!! Thank God I had just eaten, and thank God I was walking and could not carry anything else with me. Otherwise, watch out!!
Yes, in Center City, in the heart of Philadelphia. The original Italian market opened in 1939 at 930 S. 9th St. and it is still standing there.
This market is unreal and so is the service. I noticed the regular customers were known by name. I was just absorbing it all.
Here are some of the pictures I took.
Prepared Foods
Beef Department
The biggest cheese section I have ever seen with cheeses from all over the world.
Olive Oils to pick and choose.
Did not know that there were so many bitters.
Smoked Salmon
Hams and sausages
Breads
The Bakery? Cookies, Tarts, Cakes and Pies
Are you hungry yet? You know, on this particular post, it was best to be somewhat quiet and let the pictures do the talking. No way I could have explained all of this in simple words.
P.S. They also do catering.
Have a good one….got to go to my daily trip to Giant in Rehoboth Beach…. talk to you later….Chifa and the Food Trucks are still to come….
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This is a salumeria, a pasticeria and the Lewes location will soon be a trattoria, as well.
When A Touch of Italy opened in Rehoboth Beach back in October of 2009 I knew exactly what kind of product they were going to be delivering. Lou’s mother was well known in the Bethany Beach area with an amazing bakery.
I wrote about A Touch of Italy in Rehoboth on 10/16/09 and you can see that by clicking on that month and scrolling down to the date.
So, Michael was hungry today on a cold winter’s day. As we were doing errands in Rehoboth he remembered A Touch of Italy from when, in December, I took him after they had just opened in Lewes. A Touch of Italy in Rehoboth; you could have found us there at around 3:00 p.m. We were lucky because I thought maybe because of the weather, well, it could have been closed.
The Rehoboth location of A Touch of Italy is 33A Baltimore Ave., the tel. is 302-227-1500 and the website for both locations is www.touchofitalyde.com.
Lou was there. Once again, Michael decided to have the same hero as the one he had in Lewes. That’s the only one he has tried. Lou fixed him a beautiful Rocky Marciano with hot sopresata, sharp provolone cheese imported from Italy, roasted peppers and Extra Virgin Olive Oil, in a semolina bread with sesame seeds.
Then I wanted some Spanish Manchego cheese. It is one of my favorites. Lou took a piece and then sliced a fig; what a treat that was!!
We also left with some cookies, which I am sure his mother made.
Michael could not wait to get home. Of course, he had to wait until I took a picture. Took several, actually. Here is another one.
Again, no talking; just thumbs up enjoying what he said was the most delicious hero. I took a bite and I kid you not when I say that I could have eaten the whole thing. The meats, the combinations of roasted peppers and cheese, could not have been better. Another time he will have to try something else.
The Rehoboth location will have new winter hours as of next week. They will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The Lewes location opens every day and the address is 101 Second St. Tel. 302-827-2730.
I wrote about the Lewes location on 12/3/10. If you would like to see that post, just click on that month and scroll down to the date.
Have a great one…talk to you later….
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A serious accident prevented Lou from opening this Salumeria & Pasticceria at the beginning of the summer season. But, now in the Second Season he is ready. Tomorrow, Saturday, will be the second week since he opened this business on 33A Baltimore Ave. in Rehoboth Beach. Telephone is 302-227-1500, fax number is 302-227-3900 and the website is www.touchofitalyde.com.
Everyone that knows him is very happy that he has been able to recuperate well and by the smile on his face, you could tell that since he opened, he has definitely been received with open arms and hungry stomachs.
It is a small store but very well stocked. Besides Lou, you will find Diane, and Frankie.
They will have fresh mozzarella, prepared and even smoked in large barrels by Frankie, who learned this technique from Don Orazio who owns Casa della Mozzarella in New York. They have even named one of the specialty sandwiches on behalf of Don Orazio. I had that sandwich today and it could not have tasted better. It had hot capicollo, fresh hand made mozzarella, and sun dried peppers.
Touch of Italy will have Italian cured meats/cheeses, Italian provisions, fresh breads, sandwiches, assorted cookies/pastries, homemade pasta and catering.
Everything is there for you to appreciate. Hanging hams, salami and cheeses. On the left hand side of the store you can buy all kinds of Italian pastas, including gnocchi with potato. They also have a variety of olive oils and balsamic vinegars, as well as black, green and kalamata olive spreads.
The pasta sauces looked great; marinara, fra diavolo, vodka, basil and one pasta sauce that caught my eye had sardines and fennel. They also carry integrale pasta by Misura, as well as farina and polenta.
Juices like apricot and pear nectars, and soft drinks are available. And, you can never forget to pick up a can of espresso coffee.
The store offers great pastries, all homemade like Italian Wedding Cookies in orange, lemon and vanilla flavors. How about some almond macaroons? And, Biscotti; anise, chocolate chunk and almond. Cannolis filled to order, chocolate eclairs with custard, Italian cream puffs, tiramisu among others. Aren’t you hungry already?
The breads come fresh from New York. An assortment of olives, roasted peppers, seafood salad with octopus, and one of my favorites; white anchovies are among the many items this salumeria has to offer.
This is not a new business for these owners. A Touch of Italy has been for years on 535 Atlantic Ave., in Milville, Delaware. That is west of Bethany Beach. Just a few minutes. In that store only baked goods are available. The tel. is 302-539-1355.
Whether you are a local, a native, or just visiting for a while or the week-end you will really enjoy this new establishment in the heart of Rehoboth Beach.
Olives, white anchovies
Note: The holidays are coming so you will be able to order holiday baskets and pastries. Give them a call for more information.
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