354907 Thu Dec 28 03:38:29 -0800 2006 8 19 Outer Boroughs 0 2133066 I have some spare time tomorrow/Friday and wanted to make some trips south (Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst) for salumi and such. Want to visit 3Guys as well, so we'll see. Any recommendations. One of the trusted voices recommended Coluccio (http://www.chowhound.com/topics/245840) some time ago. is that good option? Any other opinions? How about the Faicco's (any different from the Bleeker branch)? thanks. anu Thu Dec 28 03:38:29 -0800 2006 22901 anu 1 2133292 anu, although this is in Carroll Gardens, I heartily recommend G. Esposito & Sons Pork Store. If you have not tried them, they make an amazing sweet or spicy soppresseta as well as some outstanding dried sausages. A good selection of home made items like fresh and smoked mozz., olives, peppers, tomatoes, etc. is also available in addition to their imported or fresh meat items. Cheers! Thu Dec 28 06:04:48 -0800 2006 2133066 24944 the red apron 1 2133461 Go to Faicco's and Colucchio and 3 guys you will not be disappointed. I myself can not live without these stores. Thu Dec 28 11:36:52 -0800 2006 2133066 11512 FAL 1 2133474 Joes Pork store on Ditmars Blvd makes some great dried sausage Thu Dec 28 12:12:48 -0800 2006 2133066 11512 FAL 1 2133529 Colluccio has great stuff, a visit is highly recommended, but they dont cure their own meats or make their own cheeses. You might want to check out the store run by the Royal Crown People in the 90s on 3rd avenue - they have fine stuff and were making their own the last time I heard. Maybe somebody else remembers the name of the shop, west side of the street. Thu Dec 28 13:13:15 -0800 2006 2133066 11130 jen kalb 2 2133672 Piazza Mercato is what jen kalb is referencing. LOVE THEM! 92/93rd St on Third Ave, I think 718 513-0071 love the prosciutto, and the homecure spicy pancetta dripping overhead . . look for plastic clamshells of figs grilled in a pizza oven up front: reheat them and die of happiness if you like that sort of thing of course : ) Thu Dec 28 14:46:26 -0800 2006 2133529 11989 pitu 3 2133718 Do they have the figs over there this year?? Theyve stopped selling them in the 14th Ave bakery location. With the nuts inside and the infusion of orange flavor, they are just wonderful. thanks for the name - I will try to remember. Every time Ive gone in there they have something new and interesting - they really love what they are doing. Other italian places to check out in Brooklyn: Royal Crown Bakery, 14th Ave nr 66th St they have also opened a cafe next to their wholesale bakery, 14th around 63rd (across the street from the little Santa Rosalia church, which some hounds have praised Lioni Latticini 7803 15th Ave at 78th St I just rushed through this place at closing once, buying mozzarella (very good) but they had about 5 varieties of lard bread on sale...didint have a chance to check out other offerings. Thu Dec 28 15:10:07 -0800 2006 2133672 11130 jen kalb 4 2133804 I've been away for the holidays, but I got the figs there several times this year, so my guess is YES. I dug out the takeout menu for you . . . and see there's a website, mostly undeveloped but with the addresses of all the Royal Crown relations http://www.piazzamercato.biz/Home.asp thx for the Lioni Latticini tip - never heard of them before Thu Dec 28 15:40:43 -0800 2006 2133718 11989 pitu 5 2136049 thanks everyone. I went to Piazza Mercato and had some tremendously lovely service to go along with the housemade soppresattas (sp?) that were quite nice. Though I want to find a NYC rendition to love, I still find myself in love with the Molinari (http://www.molinarisalame.com/) available at Delicacies. But it was a GREAT trip through Bay Ridge and down 86th street. Talk about butcher shops - it seemed like a nice one on EVERY corner! And then 3Guys was pretty surreal. Uzbeki melons? Apricots in December? Every nationality shopping together. Lioni next day off! Fri Dec 29 04:58:09 -0800 2006 2133804 22901 anu