Cucina Daniella: Authentic Italian Specialty Foods & Sandwich Shop Opens In Darien

Ever find yourself daydreaming about salty, oily tuscan bread with fresh prosciutto and earthy lettuce? Instead of booking that eight hour flight to Italy, the easier — yet equally tasty option — is located on Tokeneke Road in Darien. Cucina Daniella brings a mix of prepared Italian classics, fresh sandwiches on homemade bread and Italian-imported quality ingredients to Fairfield County. 

While the gourmet grocery store opened in January, the project has been a long time coming for Chef and Owner Daniella Palazzolo. Palazzolo grew up in a food-centered Italian home with a love for the food her family in Sicily made. After 30 years in corporate America, she began selling her favorite imported Italian products — namely olive oil — at local farmer’s markets in 2019. During the pandemic Palazzolo obtained her carterring license and began selling prepared foods like meatballs and homemade pasta sauces. After seeing her success on a small scale, she worked with a women’s business development team to apply for a loan for a physical storefront and expansion of her team.  

To prepare, Palazzolo spent seven weeks in culinary school Calabria, Italy and then worked alongside her husband, Bob Brooks, to learn the family recipes that have been orally passed down from her Sicilian relatives. The most notable result of this collaboration is her schiacciata sandwich bread. Perhaps the star of each sandwich, the bread resembles a crispy focaccia, with fresh olive oil dripping out during each bite and thick salt flakes brushed on top. Using Wild Hive flour, the bread meshes Palazzolo’s Italian roots with her New England upbringing. It elevates the sandwiches to make it clear that Cucina Daniella is more than just a typical Italian deli. 

Each sandwich dons the name of one of her Italian relatives. While the 15 sandwiches all have different flavor profiles, all boast the highest quality ingredients. As Palazzolo explained, “We don’t cut corners.” While the olive oil is sourced from a family run mill in Italy, many of her cheeses come from Connecticut farmer’s market staples like Arethusa Farm and Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm. Like her products imported from Italy, Palazzolo also keeps the local products stocked to sell. 

By highlighting these artisan ingredients, each sandwich pushes against basic Italian deli fare. While the Cassi sandwich is essentially a grilled cheese, the addition of onion jam creates a distinct flavor. Similarly, the Helena, Maria and Theodora Sandwiches all boast sundried tomatoes, adding an earthy element to traditional dishes. 

Palazzolo’s thoughtfully selected imported products are all packed with flavor. Heading out to the beach and want a few dips to snack on? Check out their Segreti Di Sicilia products like the Black Olives Patè or the Pomodoro Ciliegino. The olives pack a punch, and even a small spread makes the cracker taste like a handful of olives. The Pomodoro Ciliegino almost resembles a sweet chili sauce, giving a mouthwatering finish to any charcuterie board. Their Sulla Miele (honey) from Apioltura Luca Finocchio was so delectably sweet that it put any honey in a bear shaped bottle to shame. 

If you’re in a rush, the display case with homemade prepared meals is always stalked. Between frozen pizzas on the schiacciata bread, rich pasta sauces and classic Italian meatballs, there’s no need to worry about cooking dinner. Palazzolo even has you covered for desert, with dishes like the pistachio cannolis made with sheep ricotta. 

What was constantly clear through talking with Palazzolo and sampling the dishes, is that Cucina Daniella is absolutely a labor of love. Palazzolo sees both the food and the imported goods as an extension of herself. By holding herself to this high standard, Palazzolo ensures that each dish is thoughtfully crafted and genuinely of quality. So instead of impulse booking that trip to Italy, take a quick drive to Cucina Daniella and order any one of their sandwiches. 

Cucina Daniella

@cucinadaniella

286 Tokeneke Rd, Darien