Dolce & Salato Italian Bistro's Wonderful Wine Tastings in Naples

Naples' Dolce & Salato filled the house on October 22 with a Piedmont wine tasting, latest of the ongoing Italian regional wine tasting series.  To hear Opera Naples’ famed Italian tenor Livio Ferrari serenading a capella, as well as with a talented violinist, would be reason enough to attend!

 People from all walks of life and ages were richly rewarded with  an artistically  tasteful and culinarily divine evening.

 $20 was the ticket to savoring Italian Piedmont wines with a couple dozen different hot or cold amuse bouche and finger foods- mini appetizers to imported Gradassi  flavoured olive oils; mirlitons to colorful macaroons. 

My Sampling!

   Host and hostess Agostino Nastasi and Natascia Marchesi  were blurs of activity and friendliness, manning the wine bar, olive oil bar and refreshing the freshly-made appetizers. 

The best surprise for me? Meeting and making friends with kindred souls who also love food and wine, as we discussed  all sorts of topics that pop in our thoughts after a glass or two of Barolo or Moscato di Asti! I relished  meeting Rose, Jeannie and their companions, and also catching up with Jean,  Jerry, and Bronwen.

 And the Piedmont wines? Well, after tasting, purchased bottles and cases of Portacamaro Gavi, Barbera d’Alba, and Barbaresco Piedmont wines flew out the door! So did  Dolce & Salato’s $23 private label bottlings of  Cab, Merlot, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay.

Dolce & Salato's Private Label Wines

 

 The wine series will continue, with each evening's selection highlighting a specific Italian wine region.

Do call and reserve for the next wine tasting’s date-spaces are limited. Arrive early for a good seat, or mingle as I happily choose to do. 

    Dolce & Salato is also my new spot for delicious sandwiches. Agostino and Natascia elevate sandwich making to an art, Italian style, of course. While orange juice from canned concentrate is alright for some; I squeeze mine from neighbor's fresh plucked oranges. Sure, you can get tasty Boar’s Head at Publix, or Costco's cold cuts in a pinch.  Discerning diners like myself, and native Italians instead happily make a beeline to Dolce for finer meats, cheeses, croissants  and baguettes-you can taste the difference!  I’ll write later of  my highly favorable experiences with their sandwiches and salads. Till then,  just go there today and enjoy the best sandwiches and salads around  at very reasonable prices-you'll be a regular too, after that. 

Superb Salame with Gorgonzola, Balsamic  and Arugula

Some of  my favorites sandwiches (with salad) are pancetta cotto with warm brie; bresaola with goat cheese; hot salame with gorgonzola, and balsamic glaze and arugula- they are delicioso! 

Now you know who’s catering my next "foodie friend" get together-that says it all!

300 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 125, Naples, 300-0444, www.Dolcesalatonaples.com

Dolce & Salato- Naples' Italian Food Boutique

.

Dolce & Salato is Naples new casually upscale spot for for delicious Italian-style brunch and lunch while seated, and also for taking home the finest ingredients to cook at home.

 Co-owners, wonderful hosts and native Italians Agostino Nastasi and Natascia Marchesi have imported top Italian (and some French) products at reasonable prices, significantly upgrading the quality of some foods in town. The attractive stylish boutique is easy on the eyes, with a beautiful wooden floor, and tastefully organized

 displays. Have a hot espresso or coffee, or refreshingly cold lemonade.  Sample bite-sized mirlitons or a delicate airy meningue-like macaroon, and relax with bruschette, salad or a luscious sandwich on crisp French baguette. I’ll go for a cold Italian beer, or glass of Italian wine myself. It’s a friendly oasis for those who also want to learn more about Italian culture by chatting with Natascia or Agostino, perusing their goodly assortment of cooking and cultural magazines, and even by watching Italy’s answer to CNN and Fox; Sky TG24!

Some of  Many Magazines and Books

I’m no stranger to parts of France and Italy, and I can vouch for the freshness, authentic top quality and eye appeal of Dolce’s pastries and other baked goods. I can’t rave enough about the heavenly pear and chocolate pie, the Ricotta cheese cake’s taste and artful appearance, and the French baguette's fresh taste. The fact that Naples Italian community has made a beeline for Dolce & Salato shows that this is a magnet for lovers of delicious Italian cuisine who recognize reasonable prices.

Ricotta Cheese Cake, Chocolate and Pear Pie, and Mirlitons

Dolce & Salato has three main areas-the  fresh foods; fresh and bottled foods to take home and cook with (like high quality olive oils, pastas and all sorts of treats), and the catering arm.  All are ably handled by this pair of successful, former owners of New York City popular restaurants, who now seek Naples'  lower key pace.

For those not familiar with Naples, Dolce & Salato (Italian for Sweet and Savory) is the newest watering hole, anchoring Naples foot-friendly Fifth Avenue’s western end. Dolce is already  popular for its variety of salads, sandwiches cold cuts and cheeses that are prepared to order. This is accompanied by a goodly selection of beers, wines, coffee, espresso, and a wide variety of pastries. There are watered-down versions of espresso served in many spots. Below is my cup of espresso-this alone is worth a visit, just to know what a proper hot full-bodied espresso tastes like.  It's even better when nibbling on a fine chocolate!

  Salads run from $8 to $12, and include the caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, fresh basil and a balsamic reduction; a traditional Caesar salad; baby spinach with goat cheese; or Romaine lettuce with crispy bacon, gorgonzola apples and walnuts in a light honey dressing. Sandwiches are served on French baguette with mixed greens salad and chips. Try the roasted porchetta, baby spinach and Grana Padano, or Prosciutto di Parma, Mozzarella, and tomato with basil-pesto sauce. Want a quick bite-go for bruschette- hot toasted baguette slices topped with goodies like diced tomatoes, garlic, mascarpone cheese, truffle oil, roasted red peppers and roasted pancetta and shaved Pecorino Sardo for $6-$9.95.

There was no shortage of regular customers buying while I was selecting my goodies-an assortment of imported Italian cold cuts, Italian cheeses, and mixed plates of both went flying out in time for supper!

There’s quite a few Italian beers (Menabrea, LaRosa, etc), some US and other imported beers to quench your thirst, and a goodly assortment of, what else, Italian wines, available by the glass or bottle. Chianti, Amarone, Soave, Valpolicella, and Barbaresco are there for the tasting.

Speaking of wine tasting, there’s wine tastings practically every month, with hors d’oeuvres. On October 22 at 5 pm, there will be a tasting of wines from Italy’s Piedmont region, with Opera Naples' tenor Livio Ferrari and a violinist for your pleasure.

 Italy’s Gradassi infused olive oils include rosemary, orange, lemon, peperoncino, basil and my favorite, truffle oil!

 Try a bottle of caramelized sweet onions. Organic dried pasta are supplied by Naples Pasta Company, the only non-imported goodie in the store.

 I like a fresh pasta at home, and all the ingredients are here-with some easy recipes to quickly whip up something fresh and delicious. When you cook with the best ingredients, you can taste the difference. To me, life is too short to settle for second best, especially when the pricing is reasonable.

Desserts/pastries include heavenly mirlitons - walnuts; almonds and pistachio; chocolate and chocolate chip’ and almond and vanilla were the day’s offerings on my first visit. The Ricotta cheese cake is heavenly, and the pear and chocolate pie/torte  is exquisitely delicious (above). The colorful palette of bite-size macaroons are a French delight for your palate, with flavors that include citrus, chocolate, strawberry, and pistachio (below).

Imported Macaroons

Torta Rustica

 Bring these to a friend’s home, and your selections will be the hit of the evening!

300 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 125, Naples, 300-0444, www.Dolcesalatonaples.com