Ristorante Lucano Specialty Shoppe

This is *the* place for Italian specialty goods!
The bf and I finally used up a bulk size bottle of olive oil and committed to buying a nice Italian EVOO from Lucano. For $ 20, we landed on Coluccio from Sicily (1L) that the owner also uses in the cooking at their restaurant next door. She recommended it so we trusted her insight. Definitely good bang for your buck. We also picked up some dried porcini mushrooms ($ 5) and burrata (buffalo mozzarella & stracciatella — $ 12). The owner was a gem. Joann gave us cooking tips on the proper preparation for a cream sauce using the mushrooms.
The items in the store are all from smaller artisanal Italian farms. I found most of the prices to be relatively reasonable considering they’re all imported from Italy. They offer a variety of things that would be perfect for making a gift basket like pasta, canned tomatoes (San Marzano — the best!), spreads, and adorable serving platters. You’ll find frozen clams for your next pasta dish or fresh deli meats and delicious buffalo mozzarella (the most delicious cheese in the world) for a homemade charcuterie plate. We’re going to be regulars, for sure.

If you aren’t planning on traveling to Italy anytime soon, head down East Avenue and stop in to Ristorante Lucano’s Specialty Shoppe for some of the finest imported Italian treats Rochester has to offer. You heard me, this Shoppe is located on the east side which makes this ex-​west sider feel right at home.
Conveniently located just steps from one of Rochester’s most noteable restaurants, Ristorante Lucano (my next review), the specialty shoppe is the Formoso families second contribution of authentic Italian food in Rochester.
The space is small but organized and the family is always on hand to help pick out (or explain) the Italian treats. I stopped in recently to grab some fresh mozzarella (buffalo mozzarella, the absolute best!) and a box of my favorite Italian chocolates, Bacci. True to my impulsive nature, I left with a jar of fresh crushed tomatoes, artichokes and some homemade pasta. On my way out of the door I spotted pistachio gelato, I couldn’t resist! As I cashed out, I was told that the items I was purchasing had been shipped that day, nothing like a handful of fresh ingredients for a delicious homemade Italian dinner.
Though the U-​shaped plaza looks intimidating, there is ample parking and the interior of the shoppe is clean and comfortable. Stop into Ristorante Lucano’s Specialty Shoppe for the ingredients for an authentic Italian dinner, a special dessert, appetizers (fresh meats & cheese, yum) for a house party or even a gift basket perfect for those Italian in laws.
One stop at Ristorante Lucano’s Specialty Shoppe for the finest Italian ingredients and you’ll be asking yourself, Danny who? (Wegman that is, for my non Rochester Unilocalers).