The Italian Village

I recently had a wonderful experience at a local deli in Duluth as I was procuring some Antipasti meats for a dinner engagement at my house with some of my wife's co-workers. I stopped in at the Italian Village on the corner of Central Ave. and Bristol St. in Duluth to pick up some Prosciutto, Sopressata, and Mortadella for my Antipasto course and I came upon a new face at the deli I had not met before. I forgot to ask his name but he told me he was taking over the business from his aunt. I told him what I needed and he began to slice my meats in paper thin slices, beginning with the Prosciutto and then asked me if it was thin enough. I looked at it in his hand and said "yes". He then asked if I would like a sample and gave me the piece he had cut. He proceeded to let me try each type of meat he cut for me and I told him he was making my day!
I asked him about a sausage I saw in the meat case that was covered in white and appeared to be a type of salame. He told me it was Salametti and that it was very dense and dry due to the curing process and it was similar to Sopressata but more concentrated. He said that lots of folks had asked him about it and that he should cut one as a sample so people could try it but once he cut one folks wouldn't buy it. He said, " I'm going to cut one. you'll like it." He gave me a sample and told me how to cut it and serve it and was so accommodating that I couldn't help but buy the whole sausage! He was right, it was excellent!
The store has recently increased their hours by staying open until 9:00 pm each evening, Monday through Saturday and serving dinner and sandwiches as well as all their great meats and cheeses. There are frozen pizzas, pastas, Chorizo, Italian Sausages, oils and desserts and I am told they do samples on Saturday mornings.
I was very impressed with this young man who was about to take over a well established business in a very old neighborhood in Duluth. I think he will do very well and I hope you will stop in and give him some business. He has good products and a very good demeanor as well.
I like that and I think you will too!
Tim