When Lou Di Palo's great-grandfather Savino opened his latteria (dairy store) in New York City's Little Italy 104 years ago, could he have imagined that his family would nurture and grow the business into one of the City's most treasured culinary destinations? More than just a store, Di Palo's is a valuable link to the foods & wines of Italy and a reminder that small family businesses make a priceless contribution to the culture of NYC.
Before you discount Little Italy as a tourist trap, I challenge you to pay a visit to Di Palo's. From the luscious Prosciuttos dangling in the window, to the endless array of cheeses & salumi behind the counter, and the bounty of pastas, olive oils, vinegars, sauces, and sweets that fill the shelves; you'll quickly see that Di Palo's is the real deal. Di Palo's loyal following includes neighborhood old-timers (THE Martin Scorsese wrote the foreword to the guide) and the new generation of "foodies" in search of authenticity.
I had a chance to congratulate Lou Di Palo in person at a book party that the Italian Trade Commission hosted for him in New York City.
I first met Lou Di Palo at a culinary event a few years ago and was immediately impressed by his humble demeanor and encyclopedic knowledge of Italian food. When I see Lou at an event, I know that the food will be delicious and that I'll learn something new. A book from Lou has been absolutely long overdue, so I am thrilled that Di Palo's Guide to the Essential Foods of Italy: 100 Years of Widsom and Stories From Behind the Counter ($28) is now a reality. Part family memoir and part history of Little Italy, the guide is a tremendous resource in helping readers understand the diversity of foods produced in Italy's twenty regions. Since taking his first trip to Italy in 1973 to honeymoon with his wife Connie, Lou's visited all of the country's regions. Lou personally knows the purveyors for the products that he stocks and shares the knowledge that he has gleaned with his customers and in the book.
image courtesy Di Palo's
Truly, a visit to Di Palo's is a must if you love Italian food and wine. Chances are you'll be warmly greeted by Lou, his siblings Marie and Sal, or his children Caitlin and Sam. (Lou's daughter Allegra is actually a Contessa by marriage and his two grandsons are actually Counts!) Be warned that the photos, descriptions, and recipes in Di Palo's Guide to the Essential Foods of Italy will make you hungry and inspire you to race to their store, or shop their website, for some Italian treats. Mangia!
