I had not yet had the pleasure of sampling the food at Italia Panetteria & Deli before the warm Thursday afternoon I arrived for our September review. Walking in I was immediately taken back to the familiar smells of cooking from my childhood. Growing up with a little Italian firecracker of a grandma, I was treated to some of the most flavorful and delicious cooking I have ever experienced. That was until I tasted the cuisine at Italia Panetteria & Deli.
And I’m not the only Santa Claritan that loves it. Italia Panetteria & Deli was just honored by the Daily News with their 2009 “Readers Favorite” for Favorite Deli and Favorite Italian Cuisine. It just goes to show that the essence of home, family and spectacular food exudes from every corner. From the open and inviting countertop that divides the deli cases to the beautiful scenery painted on the walls, Italia Panetteria & Deli creates a sense of home for their customers. John, Victoria and their hardworking staff greeted me with open arms and giant smiles. Just as prompt and professional as I expected, they had my first dish ready to go so I sat right down and got to work.
My first bite came in the form of a very beautiful salad, the Insalata Bella to be exact. Starting with a bed of romaine lettuce, layered with sliced pears, piled high with candied walnuts, crumbled Gorgonzola cheese and drizzled with Balsamic, this dish exploded with fresh flavor. The pears added a very meaty texture to the dish with the Gorgonzola providing just the right creaminess to bring the flavors together. And just when it may be a bit too sweet, the balsamic comes in to balance everything out. This dish is a must have to accompany any meal.
Sausage and Peppers came as the next entree in my dining experience and wow was it a great follow up. The combination of flavors in this dish stood out almost as much as the love and care put into making it. All of the sausages at Italia Panetteria & Deli are handmade with a special family recipe, in fact, just about everything in Italia Panetteria & Deli is made from a tradition of culture and family. The peppers were cooked perfectly and had a nice firm bite – no mushy peppers here, and the sausage’s mild flavor kept me wanting to take bite after bite. I had to remind myself there was more to come.
The next two dishes came back-to-back. Piping hot and fresh from the oven, the aromas of Lasagna and Chicken Parmigiana filled the Deli. My first bite of Lasagna was pure perfection. Oozing with cheese and sauce each bite was just as good as the one before. I must admit I had trouble setting the fork down for this dish. The flavor of the cheese filling was so smooth, not bulky and heavy like chewing a melted piece of cheese. And as if my taste buds couldn’t be happier, I dove right into the chicken parmigiana. My first test of a great chicken parmigiana is not the first bite, but the underside of the chicken. For me the taste in chicken parmigiana not only comes from the sauce, but the breadcrumbs used in coating the chicken. What I can’t stand more is when I flip over my chicken to a pink soggy mess of bread. Nothing could be more unappealing to me as a food lover. I was so pleased to flip over my chicken, only to find a nice crispy brown crust encapsulating my chicken. Just as a good breadcrumb should do, it holds the flavor inside and out. And yes, you guessed it, Italia Panetteria & Deli make their own breadcrumbs. Just as they bake their own fresh bread, they have taken that winning recipe and applied it to the other areas of their cuisine including their own pizza dough, which can be bought along with all the items needed to bring the Italia tradition of cooking right into your home.
I got my chance to try their long-standing family bread recipe in my next dish. Over-flowing with fresh lettuce, onion and tomato, then piled with cheese and cold cuts, I can see why the Cold Cut Sandwich a favorite of customers. Served on a classic (hard) crispy roll, this sandwich can also be made on a soft roll if you prefer.
And what better to finish off a fine Italian dining experience then with a Cannoli. I must admit, I have never had a Cannoli with cinnamon in it. After my first bite I had to take another, and then another. I kept getting the hint of a red hot, but couldn’t put my finger on the flavor. I was lucky enough to catch John and Victoria for a moment between customers to ask them and was so surprised to find out it was simply cinnamon. So simple and so perfect – Just as my dining experience was at Italia Panetteria & Deli.
Italia Panetteria & Deli is located at 27674 Newhall Ranch Road, Suite 55, on the northwest corner of Dickason Drive. For more information about Italia Panetteria & Deli, including deli and catering services, please call 661-294-9069 and visit www.italiavalencia.com
