Inkwatu

About once a week, I come here to eat lunch, replenish my supply of cheese and wine, and order something from the deli or meat counter to take home for supper. Sometimes I go just to loiter over espresso and soak up the ambiance. I think, it’s the overwhelming sensory input of Mazzaro’s that brings me out of whatever doldrums I might be in. That much information, that much detail, simply must be attended to with all of one’s being. In the process, worries vanish…along with hunger.

Mazzaro’s has several long isles crammed with gourmet packaged foods plus numerous presentations tucked away in corners, along passageways, and in side rooms. But, the food’s not just on shelves, it’s cured meats and garlic chains hanging from the ceiling and fresh meats and seafood of every variety piled behind room-long glass deli counters. You’ll also find refrigerators of homemade pastas and bins of bulk foods such as olives and coffee. One of the dominant smells–and there are as many smells as there are sights–is from the coffee they roast right there.

Their espresso bar is one of the areas to eat lunch ordered from the deli. There’s another semi-outdoor area, the patio, for eating lunch as well. The deli, where you can order prepared food to take home or eat there (heated for you if you wish) has sandwiches and actual gourmet entree style dishes. The vegetables are al dente and plentiful. Mazzaro’s caters. Lucky whoever has an event catered by them!

One tip on ordering at the deli: contrary to the usual procedure, take your time and look at all the selections first, and then take a number. The counter service is so fast, despite people crowded four deep the entire length of the case, that if you take your number first, they’ll call it before you really know what you want. So wait to take your number until you’ve checked out the enormous variety of dishes!

A side room specializes in just wine and cheese. This is one of the places where you can find a really good bottle for under $10. Of course, there are bottles much more costly, but Mazzaro’s imports some in bulk. I try one of each of several of the less expensive bottles and when I find one I especially like, if I can afford it, I return later and buy a case (at a discount) of that particular wine because the inventory on these deals doesn’t repeat. Mazzaro’s now permits on-premises consumption of alcohol.

This same room has workers busily slicing and packaging imported cheeses. They also make their own fresh mozzarella right there. If you’ve never had homemade mozzarella, you’ve another reason to go to Mazzaro’s! The workers will give you a free sample of anything you ask for. I don’t know if the bakery has the same policy…I’m afraid they might!

While sitting at the espresso bar, I spent one entire lunchtime watching a baker there make a cannoli cake. Of course, it’s tough to choose between Italian sweets and the gelato they also make and sell there. But, the bakery doesn’t just make sweets. Their baguettes are world-class. I’m especially fond of their whole-grain baguette. Of course…if you buy one of those, while you’re at that counter, you might as well buy the tiramisu, right?

See you there!

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