Any Italian Americans on here??

Any secrets to cooking Italian in the UK?

I've got my mom stocking me up on pastina every time I go home or she comes here!

There's a massive Italian community in the UK, and all major cities have numerous Italian deli's where you can get everything you need.  The best I know is I Camisa in Old Compton Street in London (Soho).

Vicky

Where do you live?  We have a great Farmer's market + Italian import deli nere where I live.  It even has provolone cheese.  I think it has pastina.  I am sure that is where I bought mine. 
They even have American products.  Never knew but loads of people love the hershey kisses. 

McNades is located in Faversham, Kent. 

There's a massive Italian community in the UK, and all major cities have numerous Italian deli's where you can get everything you need.  The best I know is I Camisa in Old Compton Street in London (Soho).

Vicky

that's a bit of an overstatement...i have yet to find any italian deli's in birmingham, just find  some nice things in house of fraser world of food or at selfridge's...odd thing is there was a good italian deli in swindon...it's all hit or miss...london is too far for most of us to travel for some provolone cheese
did find this though...http://www.valvonacrolla.co.uk/

that's a bit of an overstatement...

Glasgow & Edinburgh have huge Italian populations, and tons of Italian restaurants, delis, and 'tallies'.... usually fish & chip shops or ice cream shops or a combination of both!

That link you showed, for Valvonna & Crolla... they are in Edinburgh, and have a wonderful shop, as do Fratelli Sarti in Glasgow.

i'm not saying there aren't lots of great italian delis in SOME uk cities....but if someone can find one in birmingham i'd be really happy...anywhere in the west midlands would be great!

i'm not saying there aren't lots of great italian delis in SOME uk cities....but if someone can find one in birmingham i'd be really happy...anywhere in the west midlands would be great!

Coming soon!

(I don't live in the Midlands, but a quick Google came up with this.)

thanks....i'm at the bullring 2-3 times aweek so if and when it does open i'm sure i'll be jumping up and down with joy!

Hi USUK2004 -- the secret is of course to adapt to what you can find or else make it yourself!

I searched high and low to find St Joseph’s day pastries last year but could not find any in all of London so this year I made them myself. It was easier than I expected and the results were pretty good.

I don’t know where you’re located but if you’re in or near London the three best Italian stores are Camisa (as Victoria mentions) on Old Compton Street and Lina Stores around the corner on Brewer Street in Soho, both are very good for different reasons. My favourite though is Gazzanos on Farringdon Road in Clerkenwell (what once was London’s Little Italy).

I like Camisa for their sausages and they also sell cannoli from time to time. I like Lina’s for fresh pasta and they also have good cheeses, plus the owner is a doll (though he’s a northerner!)

Gazzano comes closest to a NY-style Italian deli. Best all around selection for sliced meats, cheeses and basic grocery items.

Supposedly Harvey Nichols has fennel sausage, thick grind like back home, but I haven’t made it over to try it yet.

Sainsbury has block mozzarella (like Polly-Os) which is better for baking.

My next quest is to find escarole and broccoli rabe.

Thanks  for the tip on  the upcoming deli in the Bullring, Chary.. THAT would be nice.. Right now  i just search high and low  for various ingredients  wherever. Most of the time they are out  so I always have  a  plan B  for  dinner..    I make my own Italian sausages  but I don't have  the casings  so  I just  make  flatenned  meatballs.. and yes I am an  Italian American  if you are counting.. 

Thanks  for the tip on  the upcoming deli in the Bullring, Chary.. THAT would be nice..

I was hoping someone from the midlands would post here and let us know whether or not that place really exists ... or is ever going to! I hope the website is right!

Small hijack - I was reading a book on immigration to the UK a few months ago, and there was a reference to a guy called 'Camisa' who emigrated from Italy in the 1920's...the current owner is his son!  A great bloke, though a Chelsea fan, and their bread is amazing.  And it's better than Lina's   

And block mozeralla is EVIL!!  Sainsbury do a lovely buffalla mozarella though.

Vicky (Italian grandmother, weaned on pasta!)

And block mozeralla is EVIL!!  Sainsbury do a lovely buffalla mozarella though.

Vicky (Italian grandmother, weaned on pasta!)

Oh, come on, it serves a purpose!  I don't think I would ever use anything but block mozzerella in a lasagna and shredded on top of a pizza!

First authentic Italian restaurant I've found round here(East Midlands) is in Beeston right on the high street.  Has a pink sign but can't remember the name !doh!

Friend brought us there and I was in heaven for a night.

And block mozeralla is EVIL!!  Sainsbury do a lovely buffalla mozarella though.

Vicky (Italian grandmother, weaned on pasta!)

Vicky---that made me chuckle!
(I'd be curious about that book you were reading...what is the title? )

Evil? that could be a good thing...but that shows the difference between what is considered 'Italian', 'southern Italian' and 'Italian American' I guess!

For just eating or in a salad we always used fresh mozzarella but like USUK noted...nothing but block for lasagna and pizza it's the best when melted! I going back home for a visit next week can't wait

and I wanted to ask...anyone from Bedford? I heard there was a concentration of Italians there and was wondering how the food shops were...any bakeries/pastry shops?