[What You Should Order At...] Russo's

Russo's has great prepared foods like lasagna and sandwiches like all their Panini's.  But it's the fresh mozzarella that's in the name (pasta too but this isn't "What you should order at…to bring home, undercook and destroy with a $2 jar of Ragu.") If a food place is so proud of one of their items that it's in the name that's a strong show of confidence. The mozzarella doesn't disappoint.

It's soft but not mushy. Its flavor is delicate and fresh. Don't bring this home and throw it in the fridge. The texture would be ruined as the milk inside solidifies. I also feel it gets a little sour after it hardens up.

It's meant to be eaten immediately.  Rip open that clear skin it comes in like a mother bitch freeing her pup from its embryonic sack. Then cut a slice. Salt it. And enjoy. If you're alone you'll want to pick that ball up and bite into it like a damn peach. It's juice running off your chin and onto your clothes. I just want to walk around Prospect Park barefoot and in a pair of dirty overalls and a tin cap, cutting off pieces of my mozzarella ball with a knife. Eating some. Planting some. Spreading mozzarella trees all over the park.

Sorry, I got a little carried away there. I didn't even like fresh mozz before Russo's. Now I do. I'll order the fresh mozzarella and sliced tomato appetizer anywhere. So really Russo's was a gateway cheese for me. And what higher compliment can there be?