A visit to Montesano Bros. in Chester Springs is like being transported into the heart of South Philly's Italian Market; it's a store that bustles with the welcoming sights and smells of gourmet items such as breads, cheeses and charcuterie.

What do you like about it? Stepping inside Montesano Bros. in Chester Springs is like being transported into the heart of South Philly's Italian Market; it's a neighborhood store that bustles with delicious gourmet items. There's a vast array of breads and spreads, pungent cheeses and sliced charcuterie; an olive bar; yummy hot sandwiches, fresh hoagies and tasty panini.

It also carries DiBruno Bros. cheeses, sauces and dips; Springfield (Delaware County) brand pastas; and Bassett's Ice Cream to scoop on top of the biscotti, cakes and cannoli they offer there.

Brothers Vinnie, Steven, Michael and Anthony seem to treat customers like family, always handing out tasty nibbles from the deli counter.

What's the cost or price range? Hearty escarole soup is $3.50 for a pint, and the house salad is $5.50 (regular) or $8.50 (large). The slow-roasted hot pork sandwich costs $8. On the catering side (priced per order), patrons can get a variety of pastas, salads, Italian-style entrees and side dishes, and there's even an oyster bar.

How did you find it? Since it quietly opened last fall, the word is traveling fast about this one-of-a-kind Italian market.

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Address: 55 Seabolt Way, Chester Springs.

Phone: 610-458-8065

Web site: http://www.montesanobros.net/ Anthony Montesano says that the menu has expanded since the Web page was last updated, and that some of the prices there may have changed.

Submitted by Ken Alan, Chester Springs