C M.
Yelp
When in Brooklyn, and Di Palo's is nowhere to be found, go to D. Coluccio & Son's!
I was recommended by my friend George to pay a visit to D. Coluccio's when in search of canned San Marzano Tomatoes. When first entering the store, it was evident that the establishment was an old school imported Italian Fine Foods grocery store. The store did not contain any automated check out scanners, energy saving lighting, or high end refrigerators for visual display. What the store did have was the essential items to make any traditional Italian meal! The store is highly noted amongst the Brooklyn Italian community as the premier importer and distributor of quality Italian foods.
The establishment carries such notable items as...
Appetizers: Porcini Mushrooms, Calabreses Specialties
Beverages: Mineral Waters, La Bella San Marzano brand Nectars
Cheeses: Parmgiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, Piave Vecchio, Crucolo, Grana Padano, Provolone, Fresh & Buffalo Mozzarella, etc...
Espresso Coffee: Café' Mauro
Olives: Calabreses, Bella Cerignola, Mother Madionna, and Coluccio
Pasta: Marinella and De Cecco
San Marzano Tomatoes: La Bella San Marzano, Marinella, and Coluccio.
After taking multiple rounds around the store, I couldn't help but purchase more than the desired San Marzano Tomatoes. I opted to pick up a few boxes of De Cecco Linguine and Spaghetti, Fresh Mozarella, Parmigano Reggiano, Sweet Pancetta, and Proscuitto di Parma.
One thing I will note about the establishment, the individuals behind the Cheese / Cured Meats counter did not present the hospitality that was evident at Di Palo's. Still, the prices charged compared to other places cannot be compared. How many places can you go to and find a can of San Marzano Tomatoes for $1.95?
Upon returning home, I took a taste test of the items purchased and concluded the following...
Fresh Mozarella: The creaminess of the cheese with the subtle delicacy produced an outstand clean tasting Mozzarella. Although it didn't boast the tantalizing composition of Buffalo Mozarella, this Fresh Mozzarella is easily one of the better forms found in retail circulation.
Parmigano Reggiano: Don't get me wrong the cheese is representative of what Parmigano Reggiano should be. Unfortunately, the lack of saltiness in the composition of this cheese shows that D Coluccio uses a younger age than most other locations. Perhaps asking for the 3 or 6 year aged should be better than simply asking for Parmigano Reggiano.
There is very little doubt that a visit to D Coluccio's will occur again. The ease in which I was able to obtain all the hard to find items dictates that this establishment be the go to place for Fine Italian Foods in Brooklyn.