Mozzarella di Bufala in Boston

[cjcutie]

Hi Everyone,

I've just returned from Italy and am looking for any recommendations for authentic mozzarella di bufala in the Boston area. We just can't live without it. Thanks very much in advance!

[Mmmmmm]

A Boston based food blog recently did an article on mozarella di bufala in general and around Boston. Very good.

http://food.rlove.org/2008/08/mozzare...

The article talks about places to buy it and local producers.

[almansa]

I get tubs of the Mandari brand at Costco. It is the one served at most restaurants in Boston. Because of seasonality it's not the quality I've had in Europe, but I like it fine. It's buttery and rich and succulent, and with a pinch of sea salt, delicious. It just lacks a certain cheesiness - or gaminess - that I've had overseas.

[pondrat]

Just yesterday got some very fresh imported Burrata at Wasik's Cheese Shop In Wellesley. Wrapped in the traditional leaves and stuffed with cream and mascarpone. Delicious even at $12.95 for the size of a tennis ball.

http://www.wasiks.com/

Please save one more for me....!!??

[aventinus]

I tried the mozzarella di bufala from Salumeria today. It was very good, about on par with what I have gotten from Formaggio, slightly less expensive on a price/weight basis, possibly slightly less fresh but I wouldn't swear to it.

But I ordered burrata. I did not think it was the same thing, so I was a bit annoyed to get home and realize that they had just given me regular mozzarella, even though it was delicious. What gives?

[babyblue]

Tried to order burrata at Salumeria on line couldn't find it.Do you have to call them?

[Rubee]

Yes. They usually get it in Thursdays, but not always. You have to call ahead to double-check and have them put some aside for pick-up.

[Rubee]

Link with phone number:

-----
Salumeria Italiana
151 Richmond St, Boston, MA 02109

[babyblue]

Thanks, Just placed order.

[aventinus]

Though it's damn expensive (about $10 for one palm-sized ball with one cute little ball), the mozzarella di bufala from Formaggio Kitchen is one of the best things I've ever eaten. This is not to say that any of the other recommend mozzarella di bufala aren't just as good; I haven't tried any of them. Except the ones in the plastic containers at Whole Foods, which are not in the ballpark.

[chefbrendan]

sulumeria has the best buratta. they import it and it should be used quickly since its been traveling. get some aged rubio balsamic while youre there to drizzle on it. absolutely one of the best things ive ever eaten.

[fullbelly]

Vende Ravioli in Providence also imports buratta from Italy. Call ahead, but they definitely carry it.

[veryveryrosalind]

I was walking past Wasik's Cheese in Wellesley on Monday and saw on a little "specials" chalkboard out front, "Mozzarella di Bufala from Italy." This is a generally high-authenticity cheese shop that also flies in Poilane bread from Paris every week, so I got excited about the bufala. I went in and asked for it, and the assistant said they had two brands, and got them out...alas, little 5-oz plastic tubs like I can get at Whole Foods any day of the week. I asked, "Which one is really fresh?" and the assistant looked at the expiry dates and said "Well, this one says Sept. 28...and so does this one." Arrrgh. I was thinking more like which one was made in Italy four days ago. I went ahead and bought one ($5.99) because I didn't want to explain why it wasn't what I wanted, and it was okay, tender on the outside and creamy in the center, but not what I had hoped for. It was the kind of moment when you think, yes, Boston really is still not as sophisticated culinarily as it should be.

[emilief]

I buy bufalla mozarella from Wasiks every week. It does not come in a plastic tub but in a plastic bag and is definitely NOT the same product that is sold at Whole Foods. It is quite large and is very delicious.

[chevrelove]

Yes, the Mozzarella di Bufalo from Wasik's comes in a plastic bag. And although the previous post dates back a year ago, I doubt they purchased the actual mozzarella di bufala. I believe it was $11-12 then, and had increased a dollar or two this past summer.

[jrmd]

Actually, Costco sells it. I bought some last week and it was absolutely delicious. I think it was $10 for 2 lbs (about 4 good sized balls).

[jdubboston]

Lourdes Smith makes fresh homemade mozzarella under the name Fiore di Nonno in Lincoln, MA. I know she sells at the Lexington Farmers Market -- and I believe as of this summer is teaming up with Siena Farm (maybe?) to sell her cheese at their stands at the in-city farmers markets. Try emailing her at [e-mail]
I'm not normally a lover of mozarella - just too blah for my tastes - but I tasted her's at a Garden of Eden event and it was positively amazing....

[cookboat55]

Fiore di Nonno is great cheese! Try the fresh burratta with a glass of prosecco and some fruit on the next balmy evening we get. I did just that on my back porch a few weeks ago and it was heaven.

[finlero]

So hold on there, cookboat -- are you telling me there's HOMEMADE BURRATA available in our metropolitan area? If true, you just made my summer.

[cookboat55]

Sure is. I saw FdN burrata at Pemberton first, but I haven't seen it there lately. But both Formaggio (Huron Ave.) and Dave's Fresh Pasta have it, which is perfect for me since I'm at both places all the time. I think it comes in towards the end of the week, but I'm not sure. She makes it in small batches, of course. I know she also supplies cheese to Oleana, but I don't know if Ana Sortun has put the burrata on the menu there. Enjoy!

[finlero]

As long as this thread has been bumped...

I tried the Fiore di Nonna burrata, and I'm afraid I didn't really care for it.

It's actually a faux burrata, a mozzarella exterior with a yogurt center. It's by no means bad, but it's just got nothing on the fresh imported stuff you can get at Salumeria Italiana. Down in Providence, Venda Ravioli imports a great burrata as well.

[Rubee]

What a great tip, thanks! I'll have to search out Fiore di Nonno.

I'm a huge burrata fan too - Picked up some last week at Salumeria Italiana in the North End. They get it in on Thursdays, but call ahead as it disappears fast.

[yumyum]

I tried the local burrata from Formaggio in May (don't know if it's the same as FdN above). It wasn't even close to the burrata from the Salumeria.

[limster]

I had some of the local burrata as well at a restaurant and agree that the ones from Puglia at Salumeria are much better.

[content]

I don't know how it compares, but my friend purchased US made burrata at their local Costco recently.

[content]

Okay, since I had the Costco burrata at my friend's, I decided I had to try some of the sort imported from Italy... unfortunately Salumeria Italiana only imports it over the summer (or by special order?). But I found it at Fresh Cheese on Endicott - 8+oz for $12.99. A bit pricey, I thought (and quite wrapped up!), but yummier than Costco's!

[Harp00n]

Hi all,
Lourdes Smith, I'm sure, makes a fine product but I think we need some clarification here. Real Mozzarella di Bufala and Burrata, as I'm sure the Hounds all know, is only made using the milk from Asiatic Water Buffalo, not dairy cows. The only farm in the entire Northeast, that I'm aware of, producing it is Woodstock Water Buffalo in S. Woodstock, Vt. Btw. they used to be Starhill Dairy if WWB doesn't sound familiar. They do have a fair number of local merchants carrying their products, as listed on their website; http://www.starhilldairy.com/index.shtml

Harp00n

[Rubee]

I think Salumeria imports their burrata from Italy. I'll have to search out this local burrata to compare. Thanks for the info!

[Harp00n]

Yes, they do, Rubee! :-))

[cepaulsen]

Def the only water buffalo farm in the NE.. dont even know of any others in the US.. great products.. amazing mozz...

c

[penny]

Fiore di Nonno is at the Davis Square farmer's market. Not sure which stand, though.

[Velda Mae]

Go to www.fioredinonno.com for a complete list of farmer's markets and retailers that carry this cheese.

[kate used to be 50]

J Pace in the North End and Saugus carry mozzarella di bufala

[wax311]

^^^^This is exactly what I was going to recommend. They sell the same brand at whole foods but it's $5 per ball...4 balls for $10 at Costco for some quality mozz di bufala is a great deal.

[D.Bernstein]

Capones foods in Union Sq. Sommervile. Ask for AL

[MB fka MB]

ditto. and far less expensive than Formaggio Kitchen (which I love).

[ChefJune]

Salumeria Italiana on Richmond Street in the North End has it, when available (which is most of the time). That's where I'd buy all my Italian deli if I still lived in Boston, and I still do lots of mail order with them. Great folks, great selection and only top quality products.

[hoplover]

I love the fresh Mozzarella that is sold at Russo's in Watertown. It's creamy yet firm enough and it is very tender. I pretty much eat a tomato and mozzarella salad every night for my salad. I buy the best tomatoes that I can find and slice them thick. A generous helping of coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper and top it with slices of the Mozzarella that is made in Everett. Lots of fresh basil and fruity extra virgin olive oil but the best part is the Balsamic Vinegar that I get. It's brand name is Rao's and it is costly but I would rather have this vinegar than a new shirt.

[Luther]

I don't know where you could get it for the best price, but pretty much any Whole Foods or big Shaw's has it in the little sealed plastic containers.