ROCKY HILL - When it comes to good pasta, you need high quality ingredients and a proven process.
Since 1982, DiFiore Ravioli Shop has had the perfect combination and regularly serves up its popular hand-made ravioli and fresh-cut pastas.
"We have old school machinery that runs every single day," said Don DiDiore, whose parents started the business in the early '80s.
Now, second and third generation owners Don and his son Dan DiFiore continue the tradition using the same machine with custom-made brass inserts that shape the pasta in more than a dozen varieties.
This produces a rough textured pasta that makes the sauce cling to it better, making it more pleasing on the palate.
"It taste like what grandma made at home," said Don. "We are not an industrial business. We are old school (and) high quality. Everything we put in is high quality, like grandma did it."
The ravioli is made daily and comes in more than 15 unique flavors. The pasta is always fresh, or fresh frozen - never dried.
"It's got a quick cook time, only a few minutes in the pot. It stays al dente. I it is fresh and you can really tell the difference," said Dan, the younger DiFiore.
"Between the pasta and the ravioli, we go through over 2,000 pounds of flour a week and about another 1,000 pounds of ricotta cheese which is in all of our ravioli," he said.
In addition to ravioli and pasta, you can also find homemade sauces, an oil and vinegar bar and many other Italian favorites on the menu.
DiFiore Ravioli Shop has two locations, the original store is in Hartford and a newly opened store in Rocky Hill.
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