Lots of folks like to do a little shopping on The Hill this time of the year. It’s fun, although our best advice is to avoid Saturdays if possible. A recent run produced a couple of finds, although not the mostarda di frutta we were searching for.
Joe’s always been proud of the old advice, "Never eat at a restaurant where the pepper grinder is bigger than your date." I thought about that as I visited Di Gregorio’s. They’re selling a pepper mill that looks like a baseball bat—although it’s more Little League size than Louisville Slugger, maybe a little more than two feet long. Pretty amusing. ($49.95)
Di Gregorio’s is full of holiday-themed things. Their wine selection is markedly improved from what it was, and there are lots of appetizer-type possibilities in jars, like marinated vegetables and spreads for bruschetta, yummy things to nibble while folks are waiting for Santa to arrive, or before Christmas dinner.
At Viviano’s, I found six brands of panettone–which makes great inexpensive presents, by the way, since they’re delicious and have a good shelf life. My usual purchase on any visit is cans of Cento Escarole Soup, a staple for fast, lo-cal lunches around here. Sardines packed in salt, like anchovies, were a temptation. Sitting quietly, just waiting for me, were the best liquor-filled chocolates made. The brand is Anthon Berg, from Belgium, and the wee bottles, made of excellent chocolate, are filled with good-quality brand name (Grand Marnier, for instance) stuff. Flip them over, peel off the foil covering from the bottle and use the bottle neck as a handle as you nibble and sip. A very adult stocking stuffer; $14.95 for 15 bottles.
And Bertarelli’s Cutlery, everything in the store is 15% off until Christmas, a nice surprise at this great little store chock-full of all kinds of useful kitchenware.
Most stores on The Hill will be open Christmas Eve but close earlier than usual, if you need to brave the mobs that day.
-Ann
Di Gregorio’s Italian Foods
5200 Daggett Ave.
314-776-1062
John Viviano & Sons
5139 Shaw Ave.
314-771-5476
Bertarelli Cutlery
1927 Marconi Ave.
314-664-4005