a neighborhood walk through little italy

marisa and i had lunch together and then walked through soho (stopping for a tea at harney and sons) to little italy . . 

we passed one of marisa's favorite places to buy melon cakes (it also being partially chinatown) where she bought four and shared two with me which i'll have tomorrow morning with coffee.

we walked along mulberry street to . . 

grand street and di palo's . .

where marisa enjoyed reminiscing about the di palo family and all the years she's been frequenting the store for sweet and savory italian delicacies.

as she was picking out her groceries, marie, the owner's daughter (and now partial owner herself) stepped up to say hello. marisa was surprised that she remembered her, but i think when so many years have gone by and you've seen the same customers for so long and then covid happens and life becomes uncertain, when that old timer walks back into your store you're so happy to see them you make sure to say hi. marisa asked about marie's mother, and marie shared that she died last march at the age of 92 (but not from covid, from other complications), leaving behind five children, fifteen grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren. several grandchildren are helping with the deli and with the wine shop and bar next door. (here's an eater article about the wine bar.) before we left, marisa greeted marie's brother sal who seemed to be re-stocking some packages on the shelves . . it was a wonderful visit and we both walked out with ravioli, parmesan and a few other goodies (coffee, soppressata, pimento and a box of almond cookies).

passing ferrara's where we like to come for little christmas eve . . 

and heading north again . . 

towards home and houston street along mott street. back at home we had leftovers for dinner (the raviolis will be for tomorrow night) and took care of the kittens.