Salumeria, what a beautiful name! It evokes goodness, a convivial place where the air constantly smells of slices and bites. Long live the courage of the young capable of bringing back this term, associating it with good food and lightness. Yes, because the concept of carpe diem at Salumeria Contavoli in Naples is fully grasped: the positivity inherent in the character of the hosts is clear and engaging, accompanied by glasses and cutting boards.
Salumeria Contavoli in Naples: dual vocation
Salumeria because here, from early morning, you can purchase on the large counter the many products selected by Danilo and Serena Cortimiglia, brother and sister, deli owners in this small venue in the Chiaia area. As the name suggests, besides buying various delights, you can sit at the tables, few and small due to limited space. A meticulously curated selection revolving up and down Italy but lingering joyfully in Campania, a land rich in flavors.
"The sweet shipwreck in this bread" is one of the slogans that scrolls through the social pages of the sign, perfectly reflecting the mission of this deli that aims to evoke old flavors and the pleasure of indulging in good food informally. A format not taken for granted in the neighborhood, an area known for aperitifs, bars, and designer shopping. Yet, it has been and continues to be a great success. Passing through the glass door, one is strongly attracted by the interiors filled with cold cuts and cheeses scattered everywhere, as well as by the chosen name. Those magical words have been a very clever marketing move.
Product Selection
But what do you eat at Salumeria Contavoli? On the table, there's always excellent buffalo mozzarella, treated and presented as the queen of local delicacies. It is offered both at the counter and at the tables, served in its abundant milk after being sliced by the deli. It's priceless to dip the delicious bread, another strength, into it, offered as an accompaniment to charcuterie and cheese boards or traditional Neapolitan dishes. Divine is the slice of bread with buffalo butter and anchovies, a frugal dish originally from fishermen, now a cult of good food, and rightly so. Then bologna and Champagne, what a marvel! The bologna is amazing, paired with Champagne from small houses, avoiding excessive costs: they are an impressive attraction on their own, harmonizing traditional made in Italy flavors with lively pairings.
In the cutting board, which, as mentioned, you can take away, order by phone, or enjoy at the tables, you'll find Neapolitan salami, culatta di Canossa, fantastic selections of pancetta in various ripenings, jamon de pata negra, as well as the humble and tasty Neapolitan cicoli. Among the cheeses, various blue cheeses from the classic Gorgonzola to buffalo blue, fior di latte from Monti Lattari, Provolone del Monaco, and Pecorino Calcagno.
Cooked Offerings
Have you ever eaten the "cuzzetiello" bread with eggplant parmigiana? The prototype of the Neapolitan sack breakfast, frugal and very popular, is quite surprising to see ordered in one of the chic neighborhoods of Naples. It feels a bit like watching the hilarious scenes from the movie "Vacanze intelligenti," with Alberto Sordi and Anna Longhi, the famous fruttaroli (fruit sellers), where the authenticity of simple and Italian flavors convinces everyone, even the snobbiest, in a totalizing way. Here, there is a happy return to all of this. Then you know that Neapolitans are formidable "leaf-eaters"; the products of the garden have always been protagonists of an infinite number of seasonal recipes, thanks to the fertility of volcanic soils and the good climate.
At Salumeria Contavoli, you always find excellent vegetable side dishes, prepared traditionally. In this winter season, fried friarielli with a bit of spicy chili and escarole with olives, capers, raisins, and pine nuts are very popular. In summer, fantastic green fried peppers, sautéed with Vesuvius piennolo tomatoes, grilled or tomato-covered eggplants, and zucchini alla scapece. To be purchased or combined with other ingredients in different types of bread. In the pantry, there are countless preserves to enjoy all year round, such as sun-dried eggplants and tomatoes in oil, along with selections of very choice meats, portioned and vacuum-packed.
Casatiello is another flagship of this table and goes away "like hotcakes." By the way, it is grilled here and accompanied by a good glass of red wine. Cheers! The shelves are overflowing with different wine labels; the guys are good at finding them and suggesting pairings, both by the glass and not.
Salumeria Contavoli - Via Bisignano 8,9 - Napoli – instagram.com/salumeriacontavoli
by Marina Alaimo
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