"Di Palo's is a long-standing specialty grocer on Grand Street, beloved since 1910 for their impressive selection of Italian meats, more than 300 cheeses, and other pantry treasures. We try to stop into this cathedral of parmesan wheels and hanging sausages whenever we’re in the neighborhood—if not to make a purchase, then for a moment of incredible-smelling zen. But the best part of Di Palo’s is hidden in plain sight, right next door. C. Di Palo, the family’s romantically lit wine bar, serves some of those same excellent products, as well as panini and off-the-beaten-path wines from at least 20 regions of Italy. (There's a wine store on the opposite side of the grocery shop.) Both their fresh burrata—atop a well-dressed salad of arugula and roasted red peppers—and salty, springy handmade fresh mozzarella are delicious, but you should also give strong consideration to a meat and cheese platter. It's $30 for five selections—ask them to make it “chef’s choice,” and rest assured that C. Di Palo will do you right. The one thing we don't love about this place is that it’s only open Thursday through Sunday. photo credit: Molly Fitzpatrick photo credit: Molly Fitzpatrick photo credit: Alex Staniloff" - Molly Fitzpatrick
