Pasta Fresca Ravioli — Local services in New York

Living in New York City could be a daunting experience for someone not born and raised here. Weeks are full of stuff to do and places to go. We eat out way too often. However, many New Yorkers find Sundays ritualistic when it comes to their food. We like to indulge in native cuisine; one of my favorites is Italian cuisine. Brooklyn has many "Secret" places to eat and buy food, from Pakistani to Nigerian to Moroccan food. My favorite place to stock up on Italian food is "PASTA FRESCA RAVIOLI." Here, you will most likely be greeted by Charlie, the owner, one of the few true Italian chefs left in the ever-changing demographics of Brooklyn. At Charlie's, you will find fresh pasta from homemade ravioli to penne to ziti. Delicious, freshly made bread. You will also find plates ready to eat for your sports games night. It seems I am not the only one who shops there on weekends; many perform my same ritualistic food liturgy... Yes! Liturgy, since I would miss church in a heartbeat rather than missing my procession to Charlie's. I won't bother you by telling you or describing how good Charlie's food is. I will illustrate with an event that happened last weekend. Sunday, around noon, an elegantly dressed, mid-40s caucasian lady was waiting for a large order she had placed. Through small chitchat with her, I learned she is the cook or chef for a wealthy family in Manhattan. One of her boss's requirements is that she travels every Sunday to Charlie to stock up on fresh Italian deli items for the week. This week, I met a gentleman who comes from New Jersey. When I visit my Italian friends who have moved to Staten Island, they talk about "Pasta Fresca Ravioli" in a hushed tone. Initially, I thought this place was a hidden speakeasy where some group was planning a revolution... No! It was just human behaviour protecting a good thing from becoming common. Well, as a professional mole, I decided to let the secret out and share with the rest of my New Yorker's citizens the secret to the most delicious Italian deli still left in Brooklyn, NY. They are located at 6406 11th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11219. Also, Charlie's brother runs an Italian restaurant right next door. The food is delicious; true Italian food prepared with love and true Italian flavors. Come! Take a short train ride to Ft. Hamilton Parkway on the "N" train and walk two small blocks to Charlie's... you...

Wow! I was ready to leave all of my money on the counter at Pasta Fresca today! My wife and I came in for a jar of freshly made tomato sauce; maybe a couple of cannolis. That didn't happen. Everything looked and smelled so good, my head started spinning! We picked up a jar of vodka sauce, which was phenomenal on the tortellini we had for dinner tonight. We also grabbed a beautiful looking bolognese sauce for another meal. We asked if there were any cannolis available, and they were filled to order. I'm normally not a big fan of cannolis, but the ones from Mama Rao's are something special. We also got some Linzer tarts and some 7 layer cookies (my mom's favorite). The fresh pastas and breads, prepared foods, appetizers, all of it was singing a beautiful Italian opera to me. Charlie, the owner, conducts that opera like a true maestro, with charm, knowledge, and a great sense of humor,...

Fantastic breads of all sizes, shapes, and varieties. Each is more delicious than we have been able to find elsewhere. Several times a year we drive from NJ to Brooklyn to stock up on breads, pastas, cheeses and bring them back to freeze. They have frozen pastas and homemade pastas in all sizes and shapes, Italian specialty items from all over Italy at reasonable prices considering it is a specialty store and not a grocery store. You can also pick up Boars Head cold cuts and sausages and meat. They have a large assortment of precooked items that you can just take home and reheat. Love this store and would recommend it to anyone not yet familiar with this local treasure. Why just yesterday I went in for a few loaves of bread and ended up picking up this and that and spent $85.00! So many many treasures found here makes me want to move back...