Novelli’s brings back the mozzarella bunny

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Miss that mozzarella bunny last year at Novelli’s Pork Store in Oakwood? The pandemic made them ditch it for 2020 but it’s finally back in the inventory along with other delicious Easter foods.

So here we are for another sampling of The Dish. See it weekly as a live show, broadcast from the Staten Island Advance/SILIVE.com’s Facebook page each Wednesday. Starting next week, kindly tune in at 11:30 a.m.

For now, catch up with John Spadaro as he and the staff stock the display cases with fresh mozz fashioned into beggar’s purses. Just about one month out from Easter, patrons also can pick up seasonal items like the house-made, four-weeks aged, sweet-dry sausage and pizza rustica. The latter is a savory meat and cheese pie wrapped in a delightful, buttery crust.

As the broccoli rabe blanched on the stove, Karen Spadaro crafted goodies like shrimp with orzo and chicken pinwheels. John took us on a walk through Novelli’s in this early mid-week morning as patrons ordered egg sandwiches served on the store’s fresh bagels.

John and co-owner Joe Rivelli open the shop at 8 a.m. daily. Closing time on weekdays and Saturdays is 5 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Novelli’s Pork Store is located at 3161 Amboy Rd., Oakwood; 718-351-0790, Novellis.com.