Looking for vino ??? and other Padova, Italy Shopping Tips

Name of Shop: La Cantinetta...prop. Michelon Renzo

We have been buying wine from supermarkets, bars, and corner stores, but never found what we were looking for. We don't know wine, we just know what we 'didn't' like.

We found this place by accident (saw the sign), and the owner took great pains to explain how the shop worked (basically just point at the tap), let us sample many varieties, and eventually sold us 1.5 litres of red (Cabernet). He even provided a bottle for us. Cost 2.20 euro. Michelon has ten varieties of wine on tap, including Prosecco, all under 1.50 litre. He has a limited number of bottled wines in stock for a sudden required gift, as well as Grappa, and olive oil.

Easy to find, and no pretense here. A neighbourhood cantina, with many people lugging in various sized containers all day long to be refilled. Every visit is an enjoyable one for us, as Michelon has become a close friend, and not due to his product, but because of his infectious good humour, and continuous smile.

We visit regularly now, and love to tease our kids back home about the prices we pay.
I see Michelon often as he is riding to or from work on his bicycle, and every time he gives me a wave, a greeting, and a big smile. All in all, a very nice man.

What To Buy: Every neighbourhood has a local cantina. You'll find that everyone is fiercely defensive of their choice of table wine, and of course, their offerings are always superior.

What To Pay: cheap, if buying on tap, and I expect average for 'bottled' wine.

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Theme: Food and Drink
Address: Via Natisone, #5 35135 Padova (Sacre Cuore)
Directions: Located in the quartiere of Sacre Cuore, northwest section of Padova. Look for the junction of Sacre Cuore and Via Po, then follow Sacre Cuore until you find Natisone (look for yellow street sign advertising sfuzo).
Other Contact: Michelon Renzo...owner

Name of Shop: La Cantinetta...prop. Michelon Renzo

While I was looking at the Olive Oil, I was drawn towards a bottle which had a 'pretty' label, and was the most expensive on the shelf.

When I asked about it, the proprietor shook his head, and instead directed my attention towards this one. Better oil, cheaper price.

You've gotta like this guy!!!

What To Buy: When you stop for your Vino, look for a bottle of Antico Orcio "Della Casa" extra virgin Olive Oil, located on the shelf just behind the cash register.

This oil is the nicest I have ever had with my salad. Very, very light, with a slight spicy flavour.

What To Pay: 10 euro for 750 ml

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Theme: Food and Drink
Address: Via Natisone, #5 35135 Padova (Sacre Cuore)
Other Contact: Michelon Renzo...owner

Name of Shop: Centro Giotto - Shopping Centre

Centro Giotto is a medium to large sized shopping centre (by North American standards) only a few minutes from the centre, where you can pick up pj's for the kids, underwear for your hubby, and a stroller for the baby. Plus, if you're going on a hike later that day in the Euganian Hills, you can stock up on water, cold meats, and bread, cheese, and wine or beer. You can even buy a cooler to put everything in.(except hubby's underwear).

Be aware, this centre has horrible shopping carts. They are impossible to push in a straight forward motion, you must allow the cart to track sideways in order to get forward movement. A major pet peeve for Pa Kettle.

I even found American style coffee in the food department, to go with the electric 'Drip' coffee machine in the housewares department. However, the coffee machine lasted a little over two weeks, and by the time I was able to return it for replacement, the store warranty was up, and I would have to take it elsewhere for repairs. Not worth the hassle, or the repair cost. Plus, they no longer stock coffee filters. Sigh...

The centre has numerous clothing shops, food outlets, optical services, book store (in Italian mind...) cds, and the largest outlet (Auchon) sells everything from computers to fresh fish, and offers one hour photo developing to boot.

Unlike the usual shopping facilities, this centre has most everything under one roof, but does not specialize like the smaller shops in the centre do.

This is not a shopping experience, rather look at it as a shopping necessity trip...get what you need, then get out, and suffer very little damage to your pocketbook in the process.

What To Buy: Across the street, there is another consumer electronics store, specializing in anything electronic, and immediately beside it, sharing the same roof, is a huge music outlet, with cds, videos, and DVDs.

Located two minutes away, is a very large sports clothing store, with hiking clothes, cycling wear, and lots of runners and back packs. Last trip, I noticed a rather extensive display of mountain climbing aids, plus camping equipment.

Crossing back to the same side of the street as Auchon, you will find Brico, a building supply store, much like a Home Depot. Great prices for 'assemble yourself' book cases and desks.

What To Pay: Prices are a bit below average, however service in the consumer electronic departments is spotty at best.

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Theme: Department Store
Phone: 049 8690111
Directions: If you dial the phone number below, you'll receive a recorded message in Italian, press '8' for a real person. Be aware though, she only spoke Italian.

You will have reached Auchon, the department store. Phone numbers are difficult to obtain by the way.
Other Contact: fax 049 8690500

Name of Shop: Pronto Sartoria

This is a dry cleaners, who also do alterations. I have been told that only tailor shops do alterations in Italy, and have found it difficult to get my jeans shortened.

Fortunately, I have found this place, and I've already been there twice, for 'shortening' and to repair a rip in my jeans. Great job both times. Reasonable price, two day turnaround, and SHE SPEAKS ENGLISH.

Remember this shop, you never know when you may require her services.


What To Pay: I paid 13 euro to get one pair of jeans shortened, and to get another pair of jeans repaired. I thought it was reasonable.

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Theme: Other
Phone: 049-611400
Address: Via Buonarroti n. 142 Padova
Directions: It is only about a 15 minute walk from the train station. Check your map, it's hard to explain.

Name of Shop: Santinon Otello...Tabacchi Shop (speaks English)

We were made to feel welcome from the first moment we stepped through the door. We were met with a warm greeting, and an infectious smile.

This family run Tabacchi Shop has been our information source on all matters, from purchasing bus tickets, to offical forms, to lotto tickets, to, well, you name it. Everytime we stop by with another question, we are always treated with respect, even during moments of extreme 'busy' periods. It is always a bit of a chore to deal with non-Italians, but everybody in this shop has been wonderful to us, and takes time to explain everything in great detail.

What To Buy: If you require bus tickets, lotto tickets, stamps, candy bars, cigarettes, and Official Stamps for various applications, and so on, this is the place to come.

I admit I am ignorant as to what products are sold in a Tabacchi shop, but know that tobacco products are just a small part of their importance to Italian life.

I will find out more, and provide updates.

What To Pay: As far as I can understand, all prices at a Tabacchi Shop are regulated by the government, so service, not price, should determine where you make your purchases.

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Theme: Other
Address: Santinon Otello 35135 Padova-Via Sacro Cuore, 23
Directions: On Sacro Cuore, on left hand side just after intersection. The church of Sacro Cuore is located on the right side of the street.

Name of Shop: Green Grocers, Markets, and Super Markets.

There are three types of produce retailers in Italy, a Green Grocer, who specializes only in produce/fruit, and could be found in local neighborhoods or at the open air markets,and the mass marketer, who offers produce/fruit as well as an abundance of other products, and the small, often family owned, grocery store.

What To Buy: When you approach a Green Grocer, there is a cardinal rule you must adhere to... do not touch the produce. You are expected to either tell the shop keeper what you want, or point to it. The shop keeper will then select the item, weigh it, bag it, and then you pay. Don't hesitate to refuse an article of fruit if you notice a bruise, even if it has already been weighed. You will gain the green grocers respect, and next time you stop, he will carefully rotate the item for your inspection.

I prefer purchasing our fruit and vegetables from either of the other two types of retailers.
However, once again, there are rules to follow. You are expected to put on a plastic glove prior to handling the item. These are obtained from the same 'free standing' rack that you find the roll of plastic bags.

After selecting and bagging your produce, look on the sign for the item number, usually indicated on the bottom right corner within the box. Take your bag to the weight scale, be sure to tie or seal your bag prior to placing it on the scale, and then key in the number of your item. The scale will produce a sticky label, indicating type of produce, and price, which is then affixed to your purchase.
A suggestion, check to make sure the label and contents correspond. Also, do not remove the label with your gloved hand. They tend to stick to the glove before you can use it.

As I mentioned before, I prefer selecting my own fruit. I do not like bananas with 'any' discolouration, or tomatoes that are in the least bit soft. My pinkies are my best judge. I also find it odd to have a Green Grocer wait on me when I could just as easily pick the items out myself and hand it to him. Personal choice, I suppose. However, the Green Grocer will perform other services for the consumer, such as cutting cantilopes in half and removing the seeds, or chopping onions as I have often seen. Why, I don't know...

What To Pay: A bit more at the Green Grocer, and the standard of freshness remains the same.

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Theme: Food and Drink
Directions: local neighborhoods, local markets, or shopping centres.

Name of Shop: Caffe' Conte

Ma Kettle and I had been in Italy for over five months, and were missing our regular North American style coffee. For years, we had purchased coffee from the specialty shops in Canada, and had become accustomed to the fuller, more robust roasts that Maxwell House didn't offer.

It wasn't the strength, or the flavour of coffee here, but the method of brewing that we didn't care for.

Italy's espresso we just found too thick, plus we liked 'lingering' over a cup of coffee. This lingering, and inhaling the wonderful aroma is the joy that coffee drinkers in North America have grown to appreciate from this strange brown bean.

We just couldn't get into the fast, almost furious slurping of espresso while standing at the counter in our neighborhood bar.

What To Buy: Almost by chance one day, we commented to one another about a shop on Sacro Cuore that was set back from the sidewalk. We had walked past this place countless times, but never really gave it any mind. This day the door was open, and we noticed an elderly lady sitting in a chair beside the entrance.

Feeling a bit adventurous, we wandered over, hoping it was a shop and not a private home. To our surprise, it was a shop, and it sold coffee beans. Almost thinking it was too good to be true, we questioned Sandra Conte, the lady behind the counter, if she had anything besides espresso. She did, and we became the proud owners of a bright yellow bag of an African blend of coffee beans.

Sandra then introduced us to her mother Ida, the lady sitting in the chair, who, with her husband, opened this same shop 'FIFTY' years earlier.

Ida still takes an active part in the business, greeting customers as they enter, while her daughter Sandra answers all questions regarding the blends she offers,. and grinds it to the customers specifications.

What To Pay: I purchased two large bags of specialty beans yesterday, and paid 13 euro. Who knows if it is an average price, I do know that we now drink coffee the way we prefer to drink coffee.

Freshly ground, freshly brewed, using the basket from the electric drip machine that we had purchased upon arrival in Italy, but had lasted only two weeks prior to going up in smoke. We have to continually source our filters, and buy everything we can when found. Our method of brewing may not look pretty, but it works.

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Theme: Other
Phone: 049-600421
Address: SNC Via Sacro Cuore 25, Padova
Directions: This family run establishment has existed on this same spot for fifty years...unbelievable.

Name of Shop: Caffe' Conte

Ida stands guard at the doorway, greeting customers as they enter her shop.

She has been providing her neighbors with fresh roasted coffee beans for 'FIFTY YEARS' at this same location. The stories she could tell, if I understood Italian.

For months Ma Kettle and I had walked past this little shop, and often saw Ida sitting by the door, tirelessly doing what we thought was knitting, but later discovered she was fashioning little bags of product by hand, and placing them in the basket on her lap.

She tends shop with her daughter Sandra, and another young lady who we just found out is her grand daughter Sira. A family run business if I ever saw one.

Everybody has been so accomodating, and have accepted my horrendous attempt at Italian with grace and humour.

Every available bit of space on the counter top is occupied by ancient coffee grinders, antique coffee pots, and accessories for the roasting of coffee beans. I intend to search the net so I may become a bit more knowlegeable regarding her life long trade.

What To Buy: Various blends of coffee beans, freshly roasted and ground for each customer.

What To Pay: Usual prices for fresh coffee beans.

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Theme: Other
Phone: 049-600421
Address: SNC Via Sacro Cuore 25, Padova

Name of Shop: Feltrinelli International

There is no English Library in Padova, for obvious reasons. Why should there be? There just aren't enough English speakers to warrant the expense, let alone enough English readers.

All books in Italy are expensive, and to the store's credit, there appears to be no additional surcharge added for the convenience of reading a novel in my mother tongue. My last two purchases were 11.30 euro, and 12.40 euro. As I say, expensive.

This shop offers many English books in pocketbook form, as well as numerous coffee table books and language books. Staff are very pleasant, but sadly speak very, very limited English, probably about as much as I speak Italian, but we always understand one another.

The shop is closed Sundays, but Monday thru Saturday, the hours are as follows:

9:00-13:00
15:30-19:30

What To Buy: A very large, often changing selection of English books are available, as well as numerous other language books. Check both floors of the store, as travel books are upstairs, rather hidden behind the service counter.

If you are in Padova for an extended period of time, sign up for the loyalty card. It is free, and well worth the few minutes it takes to fill out the application form. I have received deep discounts on DVD's, CD's and reading material.

What To Pay: approximately 11,30 euro per novel.

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Theme: Books
Phone: 049-8750792
Address: Via San Francesco 14 35100 Padova
Directions: At the corner of Via San Francesco and Riviera Dei Ponti Romani, you will see the regular Feltrinelli store, continue on Via S. Francesco heading into the centro, and on your left, under the portico, is the Feltrinelli International store.

Name of Shop: The Local Market

This booth in the daily Padova market is typical of a few others found among the numerous stalls selling their wares. It specializes in spices of all types, and rice with appropriate spices added. They are great for making Risotto.

What To Buy: Also found in these stalls are various types of dried beans, and even dehydrated potato flakes sold in bulk (big thing in Italy). I noticed honey, jams, and numerous bottled peppers or figs.


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Theme: Food and Drink