Salumeria Rossi 283 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10023 is a restaurant and meat counter. The dinner we had there was forgettable, and already forgotten, but the salty meats is where they shine. It’s cheaper to take it to-go anyway and that is what you should definitely do. Select three or more meats and make yourself the best sandwich ever, or spread it out with some cheese for an appetizer. If you’re like me, you will just wear your stash down each time you pass the fridge. Pick up delicate slice with thumb and pointer finger, dip head back, and place gently on the tongue. Moaning is acceptable.
Aside from balancing the perfect level of saltiness, and using quality meat, it’s how they slice it that knocks my socks off. See this paper thin pancetta, like tissue paper curled up. When it’s piled together, it’s like ribbons dancing around in your mouth. The thin sheets allow the soft white fat to come to room temperature almost instantly so that it melts when it hits the warmth of your tongue.
The Finnocchiona is so thin, it’s translucent, like stain glass window. (I would go to the church of salumi.) The fennel seeds blend in, more than usual, and everything has become one. The meat is elastic and fun to see how far you can pull until it breaks.
The Mortadella with pistachio is still thin, but more sturdy, like resume paper. It’s the grown up version of bologna, prettier too with the white and green spots.
Ahh…salty meat. I will be back for more.
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That looks fascianting!
If you two end up in Chicago again, let me know. There’s a deli I think is right up your alley. It’s so good I had a dream once that I was sitting at a table eating their cappicola. Mundane dream for sure, except that I was wearing roller skates and the table was on the edge of a cliff….
How much per pound?
Ha EMC, we don’t have any plans for Chicago right now but we’re hoping to go back one day.
Bill, Pancetta $14, Mortadella $10.50, Finnocchiona $24
There’s a special embrace of Italian food in the States, more so than here, & those meats look soo good Jessica. Bologna is a favourite place with us, usually we fly there & then drive down to Tuscany, picking up the food on the way…my kind of heaven, lovely blog!
Lesley, we are trying to plan another eating adventure in the spring, and Italy is way up there on our list.
*drool drool drool* The prosciutto looks delicious with all of that fat in there. Melt in your mouth for $14/lb? Not too shabby, esp since I’m guessing you can order much smaller increments. I wouldn’t be able to resist the fridge either.
Albany Jane, I bought quarter pounds so the price is pretty standard.
based on this review we stopped by on Tuesday night. Picked up 1/4 of prosciutto and 1/4 mortadella for our kids. I don’t eat pork, so I can’t speak to the flavor, but they did very right. First, they cut it so thin I can’t believe it (much better than Fairway). Second, they packed it to go in these big plastic containers that are large enough to hold the meat properly (folded over itself naturally). Zabbars and Fairway lay it on plastic wrap and then squish it together and wrap it in foil.
Bill, I’m glad you were happy with it (even if you didn’t eat it).