kwilkinson
Having a Ball
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Sort of like the "Restaurant Recommendations" thread, but for specialty food stores. Post telling where the best grocery/food based stores in your city are.
In Chicago, for starters, there is Pastoral Artisan Cheese. I've mentioned it before and people agreed with me, but if you like cheese, this store is a must-see. They'll let you taste any of their cheeses, and guide you through to find your favorite. Also have sandwiches which are amazing. Multiple locations + internet/mail ordering = awesome.
Next is The Spice House in Old Town (flagship store in Evanston, but I've never been. They also have some other locations). Really amazing place. Walking into the store just gets your culinary juices going. Such great smells. The second you walk in, you're just overcome with amazing scents. It's hard not to love this place. They also allow you to taste anything in the store. Tom, the owner, is a great guy and is willing to talk you through any spice there. He's so passionate about what he does it's inspiring. Very knowledgeable staff. They also have internet/mail ordering.
Right next door the The Spice House (old town location) is Old Town Oil. This is a specialty oil and vinegar store. They had upwards of probably 20-25 different kinds of oil, featuring 100% oils from different countries, but also including a wide selection of infused oils. Everything is bottled on location and I believe the infused oils are also infused/made on location. They also have 12 (IIRC) kinds of balsamic, varying from very tart and acidic to very sweet. They offer free tastings of anything, and you could spend hours in there just tasting things. The staff member today was helping me try out a few things. We paired their blood orange infused oil with their tangerine balsamic, and it was a great combination. Perfect for a citrus balsamic vinaigrette. We also tried roasted walnut oil with a balsamic that had a bit of apple in it. Simply amazing. They also have a small selection of olives and all kinds of accessories for bread service, like bread plates, oil bowls, etc. Really great little shop. I'm not sure whether or not they have mail ordering, but they do have a website. IIRC, it's oldtownoil.com
And hell, while you're at Spice House and Old Town Oil, just walk around Old Town. Such a beautiful area.
That's it so far for Chicago, from me. If you're in the Indianapolis area, there's Goose The Market. Awesome store. I didn't know places like that existed in Indy. Take Meridian to 25th street and turn east. About a block, maybe two, at the corner of Delaware and 25th, is Goose The Market. A small specialty food shop. Amazing selection of meats--- truly, a great store. Prosciutto, applewood bacon, beautiful lamb, tenderloin, etc. They also have fish, but IIRC, they only take fish orders on Friday for pickup Saturday (might be thursday/friday, can't remember exactly). Downstairs they have a decent selection of wines. Best of all, they make really great sandwiches and different varieties of homemade gelato. The gelato is indescribable. Best I've ever had in the States. I think they were featured in Bon Apetit for being one of the best sandwich shops in the country.
So, what are your favorites?
Edited to add Paulina Meat Market in Chicago. Can't believe I almost forgot about it. Beautiful selection of meats, and a ton of sausages made on location. Be prepared to pay an arm and a leg, but trust me, it's worth every dime.
In Chicago, for starters, there is Pastoral Artisan Cheese. I've mentioned it before and people agreed with me, but if you like cheese, this store is a must-see. They'll let you taste any of their cheeses, and guide you through to find your favorite. Also have sandwiches which are amazing. Multiple locations + internet/mail ordering = awesome.
Next is The Spice House in Old Town (flagship store in Evanston, but I've never been. They also have some other locations). Really amazing place. Walking into the store just gets your culinary juices going. Such great smells. The second you walk in, you're just overcome with amazing scents. It's hard not to love this place. They also allow you to taste anything in the store. Tom, the owner, is a great guy and is willing to talk you through any spice there. He's so passionate about what he does it's inspiring. Very knowledgeable staff. They also have internet/mail ordering.
Right next door the The Spice House (old town location) is Old Town Oil. This is a specialty oil and vinegar store. They had upwards of probably 20-25 different kinds of oil, featuring 100% oils from different countries, but also including a wide selection of infused oils. Everything is bottled on location and I believe the infused oils are also infused/made on location. They also have 12 (IIRC) kinds of balsamic, varying from very tart and acidic to very sweet. They offer free tastings of anything, and you could spend hours in there just tasting things. The staff member today was helping me try out a few things. We paired their blood orange infused oil with their tangerine balsamic, and it was a great combination. Perfect for a citrus balsamic vinaigrette. We also tried roasted walnut oil with a balsamic that had a bit of apple in it. Simply amazing. They also have a small selection of olives and all kinds of accessories for bread service, like bread plates, oil bowls, etc. Really great little shop. I'm not sure whether or not they have mail ordering, but they do have a website. IIRC, it's oldtownoil.com
And hell, while you're at Spice House and Old Town Oil, just walk around Old Town. Such a beautiful area.
That's it so far for Chicago, from me. If you're in the Indianapolis area, there's Goose The Market. Awesome store. I didn't know places like that existed in Indy. Take Meridian to 25th street and turn east. About a block, maybe two, at the corner of Delaware and 25th, is Goose The Market. A small specialty food shop. Amazing selection of meats--- truly, a great store. Prosciutto, applewood bacon, beautiful lamb, tenderloin, etc. They also have fish, but IIRC, they only take fish orders on Friday for pickup Saturday (might be thursday/friday, can't remember exactly). Downstairs they have a decent selection of wines. Best of all, they make really great sandwiches and different varieties of homemade gelato. The gelato is indescribable. Best I've ever had in the States. I think they were featured in Bon Apetit for being one of the best sandwich shops in the country.
So, what are your favorites?
Edited to add Paulina Meat Market in Chicago. Can't believe I almost forgot about it. Beautiful selection of meats, and a ton of sausages made on location. Be prepared to pay an arm and a leg, but trust me, it's worth every dime.
