Franki x Rossi’s Deli
It’s typically all about The Number Four; a panino layered with crispy thin chicken cutlet, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, and herb pesto on bread you won’t eat anywhere else. The infamous Long Island Italian Cugine was one of the first to put it on the map—I love that he did. However, the variety of paninis I rave about goes beyond #4. And so much that it feels like a special occasion, a total treat when we venture to Rossi’s for lunch.
I love the Mort- Er and Pesto a sandwich made of mortadella and burrata, which I’ve somehow become obsessed with. I never thought I’d be a mortadella gal, but here we are! They add zingy arugula and orange agrumato, which is basically an essential oil for consumption. The Quatro Falso is also great with layers of fried eggplant cutlet, roasted red peppers, ricotta spread, and herb pesto. This trip around, I tried and watched the making of La Bianca and The Smokey Giuseppe.
La Bianca: a sandwich with a base of gorgeous parmigiano cream made by sous vide, D.O.P.* artichokes, roasted tomatoes, peppery arugula, shreds of grana padano, lemon agrumato oil* and my favorite herb aioli— big big yum!
Smokey Guiseppe: this sandwich shows up for the party— fried eggplant with mozzaraella and smoked provolone, ‘ndjua* spread and smoked eggplant spread, roasted red peppers, tomato confit, and a crispy crunchy crinkled up pieces of proscuitto candy— it feels fitting to say.
Italian Soda Float: I HAD to. Blood orange soda, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream. This is everything a float should be Big creamsicle vibes.
Rossi’s has become a mecca for the Italian community. What was solely a small, narrow deli on the corner of Market Street, Poughkeepsie, is now expanded to other locations. The Alimentari version has a full service charcuterie counter, which I have yet to explore! A small bakery case, dare I say cafeteria-inspired. And, a few freezers filled with house-made pasta extruded shapes and all. Dried pasta, tomato cans, olive oils, and formaggi line the outskirts of the store. It’s basically a playground for Italian American deli enthusiasts.
* P.D.O: Protected Designation of Origin: any product with a P.D.O stamp has been produced and manufactured in a specific region of Italy. It’s not considered “the real deal” if produced beyond those parameters.
*n’duja is a Calabrian smokey and spicy pork spread.
*agrumato is oil infused with citrus peel