Any business that greets its customers with this is sure to get a purchase from us. Or purchases.
This is the porchetta sold by Fatted Calf Charcuterie.
Look at that crackling skin, the flecks of sea salt, the pink curled around the filling.
You know you want some.
We did, when we visited the Fatted Calf store in Napa.
When you walk into the tiny space, in the Oxbow Market, you’re immediately bombarded by a board full of choices.
Oh my.
You know, there are other choices besides pork up there, but they pale in comparison to the figatelle, the pepperoni, the porchetta, and the pancetta. It’s clear that Fatted Calf is all about the pork.
Look at these beautiful pork chops, gleaming in the display case.
If we had not been traveling, we would have taken those two, right there, and then rushed home to put them on the grill.
Those pâtés, dense with meat and fat, were gleaming in the display case as well.
Should we have taken one of everything to go?
Oh, but look at those hot Italian sausages. Garlic and sea salt, among other ingredients.
We could have talked our friend Anita into taking us to her house and having a barbeque that night. So what if we missed our flight?
You know you’re in a good place to buy pork when the meat slicer looks like sculpture.
And the bacon so deeply cured that it looks like an ancient text, the leather binding curling at the edges.
But this is text you can eat.
Looking at this firm-fleshed and creamy-fatted piece of cured meat, we realized we have never eaten Lonza before.
We’ll have to take care of that.
Look what you sign your credit card slip on. Now that is fantastic.
The Fatted Calf is one of the best charcuteries in the country. Their meats are always top quality. They support local farms and local businesses. We don’t need to tell you that their cured meats are delicious, do we? Take a look at these pictures.
Whenever we see these photographs, we heave a little sigh. If only Fatted Calf Charcuterie were closer…
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Do you think they could ship? Or maybe just move to Seattle/Bellingham?
What is lonza like?
Or next time you could buy a bunch and come cook it at your friend Lia’s place just over the hill in Healdsburg ;-).
Come back soon!! We’ll have a huge cookout.
Heck, we can buy a whole pig from Fatted Calf again and roast it in the Caja China.
I was there earlier this week longing for their yummy pork goodness too…. I myself, have started planning trips to SF specifically around the Fatted Calf. I time my flight home so I can pick up their goodies at the Ferry Plaza Saturday market, and be on a plane an hour later.
I am one of the lucky ones: I live only a couple of miles from The Fatted Calf, and have the opportunity to shop there whenever the spirit moves me (and it moves me often… ). I’m glad you were able to visit, and the next time you make it to Napa Valley, I’d love to share some stories and salumi with you! Love your blog(s).
Sigh, oh yeah sister. I live far away, but can be there in about 25 minutes without too much traffic. I go for the bacon, pate and one of their prepared sammiches. Something to plan a trip around is one of their new classes, they’re going to cover everything they make! Hands-on instruction from Team Fattedcalf is the best time ever!
xo, Biggles