(map) 
For more than 50 years the exuberant sisters Bruna and Romola Bera have been here, at first selling only milk and one kind of cheese (parmesan). Their helper, Evelin, has been with them for almost 20 years. The original hand painted sign outside proclaims the shop to be a Latteria (milk shop), and so it was in the beginning; but in the 60’s they the bought an adjoining space and expanded. Not much, but for a small shop it is utterly packed with luscious cheeses and various delicacies making it hard to choose.
However that isn’t the only reason to patronize the latteria. These warm and witty women are a sure cure for the doldrums. They love to chat and will cheerfully tell you their life story, give advice, and philosophize while they gently wrap up your purchase in the old fashioned way (a specialty is freshly whipped cream, which they dollop onto waxed paper and sell by weight).
It is common to swap recipes with elegant ladies of the neighborhood, and the wait is filled with laughter and good-natured banter. It isn’t unusual to be sent away with a gift of Turin’s famous chocolate (more than a pound in the writer’s case).
And if that weren’t enough, across the street a similarly delightful sister, Marta Bera, sells wonderful homemade bread, breadsticks and rustic cakes in a tiny wood paneled shop that looks like a library.
To set foot in these shops is to make a journey back to gentler times.
– Contributed by Patricia Glee Smith (see bio), accomplished artist and very involved archaeology aficionado based in Otricoli, Umbria. Click here to view her artwork.
How very sweet! You always uncover the most appealing subjects. No wonder you’re such a fine painter..
A sweet hello from Frog Hollow Farm! Lovely post, another two places to head to when over in Italy! Ciao, bella!
The world is blessed to have such wonderful women enriching the lives of those around them. They are a true treasure of Italy. Thanks for this note.
My mouth is watering!!! How wonderful. Thanks for such a delightful “buon giorno” I hope the sisters have daughters who will continue this tradition!
A great story and perfect pictures. Thank you.
Oh Pat, I want a packet of those wonderful grissini I see in the photo of the bread shop. Lovely ladies, lovely piece.
Oh how delightful! Beautifully written, I’m convinced to experience this in person! Thank you!
So here I am going to Torino today. How do I find “The Latteria: Cheese and simpatia in Torino”. Shouldn’t there be an address somewhere in the article?
Thanks,