A taste of Italy

Cooking has always been “a passion” for Vincenzo “Vinnie” Lombardo, owner of Our Store at 994 Old York Road. Lombardo always offers his best when he offers his cooking, he said.
“I've always been involved in cooking … in catering school … in military school … a long time,” Lombardo said. “My passion for cooking started early in my teenage years. I went to culinary school for two years and that led me to branch out.”
Lombardo a native Italian, worked in several Italian cities, then in London and other parts of England, he said. He formerly worked on a cruise ship and it was from there that he met his wife, the former Freda Lewis, a native of Chester.
“That's what brought me to Chester,” Lombardo said with a chuckle. “That's where it all began.”
Initially, Lombardo cooked his Italian cuisine for local clubs and churches, he said.
“It's my pleasure trying to impress people with my Italian traditions, that has always been there in me,” Lombardo said. “I cooked and people said, 'Vinnie, I don't know what it was but it sure was good.'”
There is one particular reason Lombardo always offers nothing less than his best in his cooking.
“I'm trying to show my expertise, my knowledge,” he said. “That's what makes me feel better and do better – to make a good impression. Even now, after many years in Chester I want to do good to stimulate my business.”
Lombardo says he uses spices and favorite recipes from all parts of Italy.
“In the south of Italy are the more spicy recipes,” he said. “In the Northeast, Tuscanny region, they have the white sauce and in the middle and west, they use pesto or the green sauce.”
Lombardo makes his own pesto sauce using garlic, basil, parmesan cheese and other ingredients, he said. His fettucinni with alfredo sauce includes chicken and broccoli. He says he offers items on his Taste of Italy menu that locals can find “nowhere else.”
“I offer fresh, traditional spaghetti sauce with meat balls,” Lombardo said. “My pasta al forno has more than 15 different ingredients.”
The Arancini Siciliani looks like an orange on the outside that is folded in and filled with red and green ingredients inside that make it look like the Italian flag, Lombardo said. The Bruschetta is an appetizer of Italian bread covered with diced tomatoes, onions, olive oil, salt, pepper, parsley and a special cheese. New menu items include the Chicken Marsala, Veal Piccata and Liz Spring Chicken, a dish named for Lombardo's 15-year-old daughter, Liz. This tender breast of chicken has a base of honey, mayonnaise and dijon mustard and is topped with mushrooms, white cheese and bacon. There is also the tasty Rib-eye steak with red wine, onions, mushrooms and melted gorgonzola cheese which is similar to blue cheese. Lombardo makes his own fresh vinaigrette for his salads. Aside from main dishes, this Italian chef has another specialty.
“I am most famous for my desserts,” he said.
Desserts on the Taste of Italy menu include tirami su, cannoli, a pumpkin roll and panettone, a common holiday dessert. Lombardo has called Chester his home since the 90s and says he's trying to offer his community the best that he can.
“People in Chester appreciate quality,” Lombardo said. “I enjoy when the people enjoy. That's my own personal satisfaction that they enjoy it.”
Our Store is open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Menu items include breakfast, lunch and dinner and are available for dine-in or carry out. The phone number is 377-7007.

Denyse Clark

Vinnie Lombardo, owner of Our Store.

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