I’ve been wanting to try Scotti’s Salumeria ever since they opened (in East Greenwich in the spot where Huck’s used to be) back in August.

A salumeria is defined as an Italian deli but don’t let that fool you. The space has had a complete redo and the interior is now a darling BISTRO, complete with red and white check tablecloths, lotsa empty wicker wrapped Chianti wine bottles hanging from the ceiling (a popular sight at Little Italy type eateries throughout the 60’s, 70’s), and a sweet, little bar area in the front corner.

Also — and this is BRILLIANT — gold-framed black & white photos of folks like Dean-o, Sinatra, James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, Goodfellas, and more on the bathroom walls. The bathroom is quite stylish, too, which is always nice.

Tom and I ended up ordering a bunch of appetizers from the top of the menu because it was around 3pm, too late for lunch and too early for dinner.

I got the Stuffed Puparuolo, a Neapolitan style stuffed RED pepper with mixed vegetables, breadcrumbs, egg, smoked mozz, and red pepper pesto. It was ENORMOUS and one of the best stuffed peppers I’ve ever eaten. (Let me just say that I am 1/2 Italian, raised by an Italian American mom, so I know my peppers, lol.)

Also their Amelia & Nick, baked eggplant in a house-made marinara with tons of mozz on top. It’s served in a mini pot, pipping hot. If you love a cheese pull photo or video, this dish is perfect.

Tom ordered their La Cesarona, grilled romaine, focaccia, shaved parm, caesar dressing and shrimp. Like that pepper, this salad was GIGANTIC and great looking. (He ended up taking half of it home and eating it the next day.)

We also grabbed one of their pizzas, the Margherita Non Tradizionale, made with imported piennelo tomato, imported burrata, basil and olive oil, to go.

Now we warmed it up the next night for dinner and — this is MAJOR — my elderly (100%) Italian mom said it was pizza just like her mother used to make.

PS — Additionally, one of my brothers popped in a few weeks ago and he loved it. And he can be a tough critic. Just sayin.

Find Scotti’s Salumeria at 4654 Post Road in East Greenwich, Rhode Island.

As always, if you go after reading THIS, please let them know you were inspired by Patty J and PattyJ.com.