Taste Of Italy Comes To Huntington
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Long Islander News photos/Lauren Peller
Martoni owners Mark Healy and Tony Bosco show off their exclusive imported products.
Shelves of traditional and aged balsamic from Modena, Italy.
By Lauren Peller
info@longislandergroup.com
Transport yourself to a quaint Italian village, while not straying outside of Huntington, by entering the newly-opened Martoni Gourmet Emporium on Gerard Street.
Co-owners Mark Healy and Tony Bosco have brought exclusive and authentic Italian tastes and flavors to the village with their offerings of imported lines of oils, vinegars, mushrooms and more.
“This is not just another oil store,” Healy said. “We are trying to articulate to the community that we are an exclusive producer from Italian artisans. You can’t find our products anywhere else, which is what makes us so unique.”
Healy previously worked in the finance world, however, he always had a passion for Italian cuisine.
Bosco, an engineer and ex-restaurant owner, hails from Italy. He frequently visits Italy to unearth exceptional products to sell locally.
The two found a common interest and thought that Long Island was missing premium products imported directly from Italy.
Martoni, a combination of their first names, also sells directly to customers through Martonigifts.com, and at A & S Italian Pork Store in Massapequa.
The business partners sell the imports and items they get through their close contacts in Italy.
“We wanted to focus on the Huntington area because there is such a focus on quality. People like the quality and are searching for unique things. This is a great test kitchen for receiving feedback from everyone coming in to try and buy our products,” Healy said.
At Martoni, which opened June 24, the shelves are lined with enticing extra-virgin olive oils, aged balsamics, porcini mushrooms, pastas, breadsticks, tomato pulp, wood roasted coffee and more.
Martoni’s balsamic vinegars are produced from Modena, the mecca for balsamic vinegars. Two popular balsamics are the first-level, aged balsamic and the white balsamic, which both sell for $19.99.
From a 250 mL bottle of traditional balsamic ($9.99), to a 100 mL bottle of 25-year aged balsamic ($175), there are options for all customers.
The extra-virgin olive oil is picked, pressed and packaged right from the top of a beautiful mountain in Calabria from the Ferraro family. The taste is buttery, rich and savory which is ideal for freshly prepared cuisine. Martoni’s olive oils range in sizes from .25-liter bottles ($12) to 1-liter bottles ($29.50) to 5-liter tins ($80).
Healy added, “For good quality and unique products - these prices are reasonable. Everyone in the community can participate in our offering which is exciting.”
In order for the customers to appreciate their imported products, Bosco and Healy are happy to provide tastings and educate anyone who walks in the door.
Stay tuned for Martoni’s gelato counter that should be available by July 21, according to the owners. Flavors will range from hazelnut to stracciatella to sea salt caramel.
