DARIEN, CT — Located at 286 Tokeneke Road sits a slice of Italy and the Mediterranean in the form of Cucina Daniella, an Italian specialty foods shop that opened up about a month ago.
Owned by Daniella Palazzolo, a Norwalk resident, the shop offers a selection of high-quality prepared Italian foods, from eggplant rollatini, sausage and peppers and pasta, to Italian sandwiches made on schiacciata bread, which is similar to focaccia bread but lighter, and more.
There are also fine imported Italian products, which have been meticulously curated by Palazzolo, like Italian and Sicilian olive oils and tapenades, sauces, meats, cheeses and other products.
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Palazzolo says she tries to utilize local ingredients in her prepared foods where possible, and she enjoys working with small, family-run businesses in the area.
“It’s definitely homemade-type food. We pay attention to detail, we don’t take shortcuts,” Palazzolo said. “We make our own sandwich bread in-house, we make our own wraps. It has a home touch to it. I grew up like that, being in an Italian family. We don’t just put things together, we actually like to eat and like to cook.”
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Beginning in 2019, Palazzolo, who was involved in a 25-year career in Human Resources and Information Services, began to sell fine Italian products on Amazon in her spare time.
Palazzolo eventually decided to enter farmers markets and she obtained her caterer’s license. She left her career to focus on her passion, and found a commercial kitchen during the pandemic so she could make prepared foods.
“My vision was always a little Italian specialty shop. I just started looking,” Palazzolo said, noting a need for such a shop in the area, especially in Darien.
The Women’s Business Development Council, which is based in Stamford, helped Palazzolo and prepared her to run a small business. When the space at 286 Tokeneke Road became available, Palazzolo jumped at the opportunity.
“It’s amazing to have our own place now and be able to expand our offerings and serve the community. It’s wonderful,” Palazzolo said. “It’s a great area, it’s kind of something that came naturally, and we’re excited to bring some Italian type of exposure here, which is great.”
The offerings at Cucina Daniella are heavily influenced by Palazzolo’s upbringing.
Sunday dinners were full of family, good food and good memories.
“My dad was born in Sicily in Palermo, and I grew up close to his family,” Palazzolo said. “It was just something we grew up with. There was always an emphasis on homemade and finding the best ingredients. Food was always front and center, so it’s natural to what I do. It’s how I grew up.”
Cucina Daniella is also a reflection of Palazzolo’s travels to Italy over the years.
“I spent a lot of time in Italy doing research, and was in culinary school and finding out about small types of artisanal products,” Palazzolo said.
She also has family in Sicily, who inspired her and taught her to make the schiacciata bread.
“They’ve been big influences in some of the things we do here,” Palazzolo said.
The shop relies on takeout since there’s not enough space for tables or chairs inside. But there are plans to add some seating on a side patio when the weather gets warmer, according to Palazzolo.
For more information, follow Cucina Daniella on Facebook, Instagram or check out their website.
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