06/10/09

Caution

by Nottafool

Yes, too bad to see it go - BUT, if you are contemplating moving into the space you will want to do your homework from a Due Diligence standpoint. I did, and wasted a ton of time and and glad to share with you what my DD turned up. Feel free to contact me at 9197958325

• Pros: Due Diligence
• Cons: Read below

12/23/08

Sad to see it close their doors. Food was excellent and service. You need to have Italian roots to appreciate

by belle33530

Great store. I loved it. And for the person who wrote a review with 1 star, dude...call the number listed on citysearch, then you will speak and cater if you are interested.

You had to go to this place more than 5 times to know what it was... do not know about the bitchy neighborhood, but I am glad I met the owner, he was awesome as a an owner and would recommend wine, food and other Italian foods for dinner. We will contact him for catering.

12/04/08

simply brilliant.

by lydpotts

For the people who consider Conti rude and uncouth, you're totally right. I worked there four separate times, leaving each time because he was so unbearable, but at the end of it I can say that Conti's Italian market was an amazing place. Despite my own experiences as an employee; as a person the culinary experience totally opened me up to new and much more superior things. I wish that he had been able to do better in a neighborhood run by stuffy, ticky tacky elitist. ( I've also lived in Oakwood for 22 years.. ) but at the end of the day, that neighborhood can s uck the soul from pretty much anything outside of their own narrow spectrum, and apparently business aren't immune. To play the devils advocate, all of you who are so incredibly insulted have absolutely no idea what that man has endured from the idiots who would patron that store. In the end though, you had to appreciate what that store was about in order to love it. It was an escape from the normal over priced boutiques, and under developed offerings to one's palate that has become the hallmark of person street. Conti's shop was in fact a warm place, and like any place that you truly love it had it's offending characteristics. I will always dream of cannolli accompanied by a beautiful bottle of masciarelli multipluciano d'abruzzo, and as i do i will also warmly remember the rantings and the crass jokes of Conti himself echoing against the brick walls. Ciao conti, and thanks for all you did.

11/18/08

Catering only from November - January

by chriskebob

Drove to this market during the day, in part based on the rave reviews on Citysearch.

Sign on the door says "Closed - catering only until the new year."

No website, so we couldn't check beforehand. Now I don't even know how I find out about catering. Not a good way to drum up new business. Maybe they're doing fine without new business ... but that's pretty surprising in this economy.

What is it with places in Raleigh having terrible, and terribly erratic hours?

09/29/08

rude!

by missthesnow

I have never been treated so rudely in my entire life. I ordered a made to order sandwich, minus one item. Simple and politely requested. The owner completely went off on me for no reason. We're talking the kind of rage with the vein popping out of the forehead. He said, "Look at the sign! If you don't see it, you can't have it!!" I actually thought he was kidding. My husband and I were in total shock, so much so that my hands were visibly shaking and my eyes started to fill with tears. I am of Italian descent, and if I treated anyone like that, my parents would have disowned me.

Conti's has some cool and authentic items, but is not nearly as complete as real and better Italian markets. Furthermre, you know you're in a real Italian market when the owner treats you like family.

08/07/08

A true Italian market with amazing sandwiches

by archibrat

Conti's is a mainstay for locals and a hidden treasure. The service is personal and friendly. The owner makes you feel like an old friend even if it is your first visit. The market has a wide selection of Italian market goods: canned tomatoes, oils, dried and frozen pasta, sauces and all other cooking goods. A wide selection of wines, homemade pasta sauce and pastas make this a must stop on the drive home. They also have the best selection of Italian cured meats around. To top all this off, you can even get a real Italian sandwich made to order. Fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced prosciutto, fresh pepper, olive oil and the most delicious crusty bread you will ever taste. It is as close to Italy I've been.

• Pros: Personal Service and authentic food
• Cons: Hours of operation

01/09/08

Great place

by monkeyboy2

I cannot understand the reviewer that said they were rude. I find the owner to always be incredibly friendly and patient. It is a great deli and unlike anything else here. Give them a try.

• Pros: parking can be tough
• Cons: great products that you can't find in other places.

02/16/07

Excellent One On One Customer Service & Scrumpitous Lasagna!

by rickescobar

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT MARKET. My office is very close to Conti's and we always use them to cater our functions. Rick provides customer service above and beyond what you would normally expect from a store owner. He is professional and committed and yet still has the time to chat with you and dedicate himself to fulfilling your requests. We have been very happy with the service he provides our office. There have been several times he has been able to help us even when we had to call on him at the very last minute (although he prefers for you to plan ahead). His catering prices are also reasonalbe. Oh, and if you haven't tried his lasagna or ziti, you are really missing out because it is DELECTABLE! Bravo, Bravissimo!

• Pros: Excellent Customer Service
• Cons: None

01/12/07

Authentic family run Italian Grocery Store.

by guy746

I love going out of my way to visit this shop when I am running errands down town. Although I don?t have a chance as often as I like sense I live in North Raleigh. The quality and variety of Italian goods is unmatched in town. They have cheeses and meats which I have only seen in shops in Boston and New York. In the deli area, they have pre-made meatball and lasagna dinners which are to die for. I have used them as my backup dinner plan, if I am having company over and I am running out of time

It has been interesting to see how the grocery store has developed over the years. Mr Contie has added a desert bar, then added Gelatos and last time I was in he was offering olive oil tasting.. It should be noted that the owner is really really Italian. I suspect the guy puts in a good 80 hours a week (sense every time I have been in the shop over the years he has been running around. ) so be prepared if you ask a question, he will run down a complete history of this or that and what recipes work best with what ingredients. I once asked about olives for a function and it ended up in a spontaneous taste testing with olives come from this jar and being pulled out from behind the counter. ( I never new there where some many different varieties of olives)

Don?t expect a Cosco or Target experience at the cash register. There is only one so some times there is a wait, but I have always found the shopping experience enjoyable.

• Pros: an Italian Grocery you would expect to find in NY
• Cons: a little out of the way from where I live.

Editorial Review

by Contributor

Italian market offers a wide selection of fine wines, pastas, cheeses, meats, homemade pastries and more.