Consalvis: Old-World Atmosphere
By Becky Billingsley
Restaurants that do things right have the knack of making patrons feel comfortable as soon as they step in the door. Consalvi’s Italian Market & Deli in Murrells Inlet is that kind of happy place.
To the left of the entrance are tables topped with red and white checkered cloths surrounded by cozy curved-back wood chairs with cushy seats. This sunny dining area is ringed by stone walls, and it's a pleasant spot in which to enjoy the shop's deli items or pause and take a coffee break.
On the right is the market where proprietors Gary and Lisa Consalvi stock just about any Italian food staple any home cook might want, from canned Italian tomatoes and dry pastas to breadsticks, antipasto and Italian cookies. The find of the day was a big bag of sun-dried tomatoes, and products are stellar Italian brands such as Roma, Ferrara and Cento.
On the right wall is a cool culinary hotspot where refrigerated items are stocked such as Lobster Ravioli, house-made Marinara, Tortellini, whole Lasagnas, cleaned Squid, milk-fed Veal Cutlets, fresh Pizza Dough, Breaded Eggplant Cutlets, Italian Gelato, Tiramisu and flaky seashell-shaped Sfogliatelle pastries. Next to those cases is a grab-and-go cold case filled with fresh mozzarella, ricotta and premium meats and artisan cheeses such as Prosciutto and Parmesan.
At the back is the deli where the Consalvi’s stock house-made salads and make sandwiches to order.
We tried four sandwiches. Subs are on chewy bread – my teenagers thought it was too chewy, but people who appreciate real Italian bread will love it. The teens did enjoy the meatballs and marinara inside their subs.
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The adults devoured the Grandma Consalvi Sub with Genoa salami, cappicola, provolone, roasted red peppers, pepperoncinis, lettuce, tomato, fresh basil and Italian dressing; and the Roma, which is the Grandma without the salami. We also liked Mama Lisa's Panini that is a pressed ciabatta roll containing grilled eggplant, roasted red peppers, prosciutto, mozzarella, basil, tomato and Italian dressing.
Next time I want to try the Papa Consalvi with sopressata, or the Tuscan with prosciutto.
One sandwich we put in the refrigerator for the next day, and when we unwrapped the paper around the Sausage, Peppers and Onions Sub we appreciated that it was also wrapped in foil and could just be popped in the oven to heat up. It reheated well, and the sausage has an excellent robust flavor tempered by vegetables sautéed just long enough to release their sweetness.
The cold salad we tried was Tri-Color Tortellini Salad, and it is excellent. Cheese-filled pasta is dressed in house-made basil pesto and accompanied by pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes and freshly shredded Parmesan. Tip: Let it come to almost room temperature before serving for full flavor impact.
A few other salads include Italian Macaroni (highly recommended by the Consalvis' toddler grandson, who proclaimed it his favorite from under the plastic bucket he was wearing on his head), Cucumber/Red Onion/Tomato tossed with roasted garlic balsamic vinaigrette, Caesar, Antipasto and Caprese.
Many items are available on platters and trays for catering, and the couple also offer extra-long subs that feed up to eight people. A respectable collection of Italian wines and a cooler filled with American and Italian sodas is beside a coffee pot.
The Consalvis have created a handy source for Italian cooks and Italian grab-and-go dining, and their friendliness and quality of product ensures repeat visits.
Consalvi's Italian Market & Deli is at 3852 U.S. 17 Bypass in Murrells Inlet, and the number is (843) 651-6061. It's open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.
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