Russo’s GOURMET

FOODS & MARKET

BY MARIAN FRANCES WOLBERS | PHOTOS BY HEIDI REUTER

Imagine. In front of you is an Italian spread to crow about. You can hardly wait to dive in. A cold bottle of clear Mangiatorella natural mineral water sits next to a steaming cup of aromatic Vegetable Lentil Soup, and to the side is an assortment of hand-picked plated olives — firm, hearty Calabrese olives and pale-green Castelvetrano olives (named as one of the most delicious olives in the world) — along with roasted tomatoes and some imported artichoke hearts. A luscious helping of layered homemade lasagna wafts richly deep tomato-y, cheesy notes up to your nostrils; the hearty pasta-ricotta entrée is accompanied by a rainbow medley of herbed, steamed, fresh veggies — pure white cauliflower florets, shapely slices of yellow and red peppers, bright green broccoli and seared zucchini.

Within close view from your table is an espresso bar where Montano coffee awaits, conveniently located right next to the homemade cannoli that you’ve had your eye on since you entered. Or — you muse — shouldn’t I have the tiramisu or gelato instead? So many choices.

Wake UP! (You’re Not Actually in Italy)

At Russo’s Gourmet Foods & Market & Catering in Wyomissing, the enterprise is split into two parts: the wholesale business on one side of the building, and — on the other side — a market and dining area which include not just shelved items, but a deli section, frozen food lane and bakery area. Takeout meals are always popular, says Sabrina Cirandine — and why not? Customers keep coming back for so many favorite aspects, she explains, from the full salad bar, the olive bar, hot soup kettles, frozen soups and stuffed shells, and lusciously prepared foods at the far end of the store. “Everyone’s so busy these days,” says Cirandine, “so it’s great to grab foods and have dinner ready to serve.”

But many Berks Countians might not know that Russo’s is also a terrific place to dine, whether it’s for a café stop, full lunch or early dinner. Owned and operated by the Grande family, Russo’s keeps things simple. Customers can come in, select their meal items (from traditional pasta dishes to huge sandwiches made with the freshest Italian cheeses and meats), pay at the register, and sit down to enjoy! Nothing fancy, no linen-clad tables. Just terrific, highest-quality foods, primarily imported from Italy — and from the Calabria area in particular, where the family’s roots lie.

Chicken Cutlet (Rolled and Stuffed), Baked Salmon & More

“All our food is made fresh every day,” says Cirandine. From pizza to arancini to potatoes au gratin with ham, hot-from-the-oven dishes fill Russo’s prepared foods case daily. According to Cirandine, “The chicken cutlet is very popular, as well as our baked salmon dinners. Of course — all the pasta dishes are favorites.”

The chicken cutlet is a meal in itself — so filling, healthful and flavorful. A perfect white chicken cutlet is rolled all the way around and stuffed with seasoned broccoli rabe (rapini in Italian), then topped with baby spinach, melted mozzarella and tiny diced tomatoes. The slight bitterness of rabe tucked inside the cutlet tunnel is tempered by a warm spice, utterly enhancing, bringing out the delicious taste of well-baked, juicy chicken.

Usually, there will be some kind of fish entrée, with baked salmon almost always a choice. Sometimes Russo’s salmon emerges from the oven bathed in a sweet chili sauce.

Other times, the salmon is baked with herbs, salt, pepper, white wine and Italian olive oil “for a very light effect,” says Cirandine. Goldenorange and just flaky, the generous portion of salmon is lifted up by a whisper touch of engaging herbs and scattered cherry tomatoes, bringing a savory sensation to the whole experience.

On a recent day, Ziti (prepared al dente, of course!) in Cream Sauce with spinach, tomatoes and mushrooms proved outstanding.

It’s the type of pasta dish to eat as slowly and mindfully as possible, taking extra time to swirl individual noodles into that addictive, mushroom-infused sauce. So satisfying…

On the red side of sauces, diners can indulge in Russo’s Pasta with Mini-meatballs in tomato sauce. That fulsome “gravy” balances quality crushed tomatoes with just enough sweet to enhance every type of pasta, from ziti to spaghetti. Plus, you’ll likely find yourself wondering how on earth such tiny little meatballs can pack so much flavor into every morsel. Talk about a wonderful mystery!

Absolutely Authentic Taste: It’s All about Original Ingredients

There’s a culinary truism that diners instantly appreciate once they’ve dined at Russo’s: original ingredients, artisanal products and imported ingredients absolutely make a vast world of difference, in any dish. Diners may even find themselves inspired to shop for products they need to go home and start cooking! The knowledgeable staff is more than eager to help, sharing such unique offerings as countless types of dried pasta and risotto, as well as the family’s Casa Ligaro extra virgin olive oil and Nonna Carmen Marinara Sauce. 1150 Bern Rd., Wyomissing 610.898.1918 | russofoodmarket.com