Discovering Easton: Piazza

Finding a good Italian market is like hitting a gold mine for certain people. Anyone with a penchant for the finer side of cured meats and cheeses will delight at a well-appointed deli counter, and even the most ‘American’ of the Italian-American consumer will find it hard not to gesticulate wildly as they pronounce ‘prosciutto’ or ‘mortadella’, syllables so sacred you almost pronounce them with italics.

Look, my last name is ‘Maglio’. I get it.

That’s why I was so delighted when I discovered Piazza, the Italian Market in the Talbot Town Shopping Center. It checks all the boxes: Italian gelato and sodas, specialty pasta, ready-to-go meals, a panini press that never stops, and a robust deli counter that would please anyone’s Nonna.

I won’t pretend that I’m some Italian cuisine expert, but I at least know a good salami from a bad, I know my prosciutto from my soppressata (salted ham and peppery salami, respectively, and in their most simple of terms), but that’s about it. Still, even I can recognize Piazza’s deli has a fantastic selection of these meats and cheeses, enough to meet the needs of any discerning sandwich builder.

But if you’re more into eating your food than preparing it, Piazza has you covered there, too. I came in for lunch, my eyes set on the Milano panini, which was built and hot-pressed for me in short order, arriving in its buttery, crispy, melty glory not five minutes later. The Milano is a tasty combination of hot coppa (spicey ham), salami, prosciutto, provolone, and a sweet & hot pepper spread. And it was good, really good. It had this crunchy flakey bread, leading you into a mild heat followed by a salty, rich flavor. The quality meat and cheese created a succulent and layered bite each time…I’m salivating just thinking about it… I like sandwiches, ok? And I also like Piazza.

They’ll be seeing me again soon, that’s for sure. And I encourage you to try it for yourself. Any gold mine worth having is a gold mine worth sharing.