Mercato Italiano

A small, inconspicuous Italian deli lies directly across the street from the Narrows 8 movie theater off Mildred Street in Fircrest.  Being Italian by marriage, I felt obligated to go scope it out and get some goods.

Right there on top of Mercato Italiano's counter sat a huge glass containers filled with tiny Italian Christmas cookies.    I ask owner Cori Nordid (husband: Larry Nordid) if she bakes them at her store, and she says no, but they are flown in from Italy.  I immediately recite in my head the leg lamp scene from “A Christmas Story”: “Oooooh FRA-GEELAY.  Must be from Italy!”  (C’mon, if you don’t remember that part you need a spanking.)

The cookies were three for a dollar.  Baci di Duma, Dame, and Sabiosino cookies.  Sure, I could’ve grabbed one of each.  But you know me, I had to snag three of each.  I am so glad I did.  The Baci di Duma were full flavored and freshly crisp.  I could eat a hundred.  And the Sabiosino?  It is a classic cookie every child and adult will consider a treat.   And by child, I mean Italian husbands. â€" Steph DeRosa

[Mercato Italiano, 2049 Mildred St. W., Fircrest, 253.566.6108]