Arthur Avenue AKA Disneyland

I have been so beside myself with excitement about today's road trip to Arthur Avenue.
I had never been to Arthur Avenue before. All my life I have heard how if it's from Arthur Avenue it's the BEST! Well they were right. Let me back up a bit. At our last book club meeting we decided to take a road trip to Arthur Avenue. Have I told you that I am in the best book club ever! Kate drove us there in her van. We found the "perfect" parking spot. We visited the Church of the Lady of Mount Carmel and then we started shopping.

First stop was the pasta store, Borgatti’s Ravioli & Egg Noodles.  As this was the first stop I had to make sure I did not overspend, which was not easy. I purchased a 1/2 pound of dried basil pasta and a pound of hand cut pappardelle noodles. I was in love at this point. I should add that I did not take a lot of photos or instagram or facebook posts though out the day. I tried to take the day in first hand, not through the lens of my phone/camera. I actually turned off and put my phone away for most of the day. I tried to go old school...

Last night I did a little research on the area and saw that one of the stores, Tino's Delicatessen, sold something called 'Nduja. It is a spreadable pork sausage from Italy.
It is typically made with parts of the pig such as the shoulder, belly and jowl, roasted peppers and a mixture of spices. I found it and will be trying it very soon. Stay tuned!

 Bread. Yes bread. I was so good at the bakery. Madonia Brothers Bakery. Remember that name. Only purchased one loaf of bread, now kicking myself for not buying more. And
I purchased a 1/2 pound of biscotti. I can not believe I had such restraint!

All this shopping and we have not eaten yet! Karen made reservations at Gerbasi. What a fantastic lunch. They were playing Jerry Vale, which brought me back to my Dad's house. The waiter was so accommodating. We all had wine and for lunch three of us had the Salmon Piccata, and Kelly had Lasagna and Kate had Fettuccine Alfredo, which looked so good.

It was a wonderfully relaxing and delicious lunch.

Now back to shopping. The Cheese Store... Calandra AKA the happiest place on earth!
I wanted to move in there. The Prosciutto... just typing the word brings tears to my eyes.
I have said it often - when I die I want to be buried with a nice piece of Prosciutto, preferably from Arthur Avenue. Then I know I will get into heaven! So at Calandra
I purchased Smoked Gouda, Pecorina Locatelli, Prima Donna, which is a mild cheese from Holland. I also bought some Soppresetta and of course, Prosciutto.

 

And lastly we hit the meat market. Inside the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, you will find Peter's Meat Market. And that is where I found Broccoli Rabe Sausage and a Pinwheel Steak with Prosciutto and Mozzarella. Stay tuned for more on both of those.

Some Hazelnut Gelato from Tino's Delicatessen put the finishing touch on a perfect day.