STEPH DEROSA: VIAFORE’S CLUB SALAD >>>

Rating: Two out of four croutons
 

Let’s be honest, Viafore's Italian Delicatessen isn’t the first place you think of when you have a hankering for salad, and for good reason, too. Viafore’s in Fircrest is not known for their salads, but they are definitely known for their delectable Italian meats, grubbin’ take-home dishes, traditional imported pastas, and satisfying lunchtime sandwich plates. But as I watched the Weekly Volcano’s intern, Krista, chow down her hearty handmade sandwich at lunch last week, it was my towering Viafore’s Club Salad that filled up my belly and made me a happy lady.

Description: There’s no way to glorify this: The lettuce was obviously a salad mix from a bag. I will not discredit them though; it was extremely fresh, and downright tasty. The typical salad mix of purple cabbage and julienne carrots danced inside the enormous mound of iceberg/romaine mix found upon my disposable plastic plate. Generous amounts of chopped-ham deli meat, fresh tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese weighed down my plate even more while resting gingerly along the edges without falling off.

Taste: It was lunchmeat on some lettuce â€" I’m not gonna lie. But what Viafore’s does â€"Viafore’s does RIGHT. They have delicious, traditional, fresh deli meat that they are not shy about sharing with you, and a mozzarella cheese that will rival all others. Um, hello! We’re at an authentic family-owned Italian delicatessen! How could they not have this incredibly soft and yummy mozzarella? Well, Viafore’s had the cheese all right, and it was perfect. Even in the dead of January, these Italians know how to pick a good tomato. Consistently red and juicy tomato slices garnished the border of my no-frills (and no croutons) Viafore’s Club Salad.

Conclusion: Viafore’s is not trying to be something they’re not. If you want some deli meat, some cheeses, some homemade dinnertime dishes, some imported noodles, and to support a local, family-owned business, then visit Viafore’s. You’ll love it. If it’s a salad you’re looking for at Viafore’s, just be aware that they are giving you a salad the way Nana used to make, and with only the freshest ingredients they have â€" nothing is glorified. Also, when real estate is lost with the circumference of their plates, they take it to the next level, literally. That salad is one tall mofo, and all for a measly $4.95. You can’t even buy half a salad that’s half as fresh from McDonald’s.

Dressing on the side
More than Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any other national holiday, a birthday is by far my favorite day of the year. To quote Dave Barry’s “25 Things I’ve Learned in 50 Years” from his book Dave Barry Turns 50: “There comes a time when you should stop expecting people to make a big deal out of your birthday. That time is age 11.” Mr. Barry, I disagree.

To me a birthday is a time to celebrate another year of life, of happy memories, and of good times to come. I couldn’t think of a better reason to gather friends than to share the joy of life and experience. Every year I make a big deal out of my birthday like a little giggling schoolgirl. Hell, I don’t care, I’ll throw my own stinkin’ party. I’m not ashamed of getting older, or of anyone knowing my age. My age was hard earned, goddammit! And tuition to the college of life experience is nothing you can put a price tag on. I cherish it everyday.

Last night we got together for what has become an annual family dinner celebrating the birthday and life of my husband’s brother who passed away more than 20 years ago at the young age of teenhood. I always relish in the family love, and grow just a little more thankful for the time I have here. Shouldn’t we all?

Celebrate your birthday, people! And if there’s free food and liquor, call me.

[Viafore's Italian Delicatessen, 604 Regents Blvd., Fircrest, 253.564.2228]