Contessa Italian Home Collection

The owner of this little shop Louisa is super cool and she’s always there. She is an encyclopedia of all things Italian and she is truly passionate about good food. She will put a jar of tomato sauce in your hand and tell you it’s origin story in stunning detail. She can gift wrap the hell out of that little jar of tomato sauce too. I walked in by chance and walked out an hour later having completed all my holiday shopping beautifully wrapped and ready.
One side of the shop is a wall of beautiful glass jars of artisanal pasta sauces, award winning olive oils, marmalades, garlic wrapped in prosciutto, anchovies stuffed with olives, squid ink sauce, pickled artichokes, heirloom black rice, strawberry syrup, little bottles of blackberry juice… it’s truly a feast for the eyes! Jams range from $ 12 – 35. Sauces range from $ 9 – 35. Surprisingly affordable when you consider she imports directly from smaller non-​GMO sources in Italy. So far I’ve cooked the black rice and used the olive oil– incredibly good!
The reason I am writing this review though is because Louisa did something super cool yesterday that deserves props. She called me on Christmas Eve at 3 pm as she was hoping to close the shop a little early — did I need the olive oils I had ordered for Christmas today before she closed? I was so glad she called to remind me! She greeted me warmly when I arrived and didn’t seem rushed at all-​in fact she insisted I taste test them. Delicious! She was getting ready to close again when several more last minute shoppers walked in unawares. Louisa gave me a cheerful little wave goodbye and busily set about reassuring the anxious looking last minute shoppers with pastas and olive oils like the gracious Italian hostess she is! Perfect customer service, Contessa! Thank you!

Excellent store with very beautiful pottery besides other products of fine quality and taste. The pasta, olive oil and vinegar are outstanding. The prices are reasonable considering the high quality products and the fact they are imported from Italy. Excellent and cordial treatment from the owners and staff.

I just adore the owner of the shop, Luisa. She’s so charming and adorable. We bought some pasta and olive oil from her. She’s such a genuine person, it comes through. I would definitely come back and get some of her balsamic vinegar.

I have been to Tuscany and to the lovely town of Deruta where you will find some of the most gorgeous ceramics in all of Italy. When you walk into the Contessa Italian Home Collection, your jaw drops! The pottery is some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. In addition, there is a small collection of jewelry and specialty Italian food items, including great Balsamic vinegars and olive oils. The pastas are made from the same recipes that were used 1,000s of years ago – pure, tasty and divine!
Come to this little «museum» as I like to call it, on Lake Ave. in Pasadena. Then follow up your visit with a cup of espresso at the Contessa Chocolate Collection across the way!

Contessa has unique and beautifully made house ware and gift items. I’ve purchased several gifts from here over the past couple of years, my favorite being the olive wood cheese boards.
Most of the items here are imported straight from Italy, and the quality is evident. The store has gorgeous jewelry, lovingly hand-​crafted glassware, luxurious linens, and hand-​painted pottery. There is a lovely array of wine bottle stoppers, oil and vinegar bottles, serving pieces, place mats and table cloths, etc. The store also just started doing custom curtains, imported from Florence. If you are looking for a gift for the person who has everything, this is a great shop to visit. (And, they’ll wrap it up, too.)
Prices can be fairly high, but the items here are intended to last a lifetime. The shop owner is helpful and friendly. (Also make sure to check out her chocolate store a couple of doors down. Have an espresso and an organic truffle!)

Contessa has the most beautiful gift items I have ever seen. It’s my go-​to place for any gift item for the really special people in my life. I love the amazing selection and the owner is so helpful and always knows just the right thing for my specific occasion. I’d give it ten stars if I could. A real class act!

A unique store which sells lovely jewelry besides home furnishings. The owner, Louisa, is knowledgeable. accommodating, and charming. She and her family own a sister store just outside of Florence, Italy. So Pasadena is lucky to have such a store. The Swedish hand towels she sells are a wonderful gift.