FIRST LOOK: PROVIDORE FINE FOODS

It’s a good week that features a sneak peek at a new food emporium close to home.

I’d been hearing for a while that the people behind Pastaworks (I’ve written about this shop here) were turning an old car dealership on Sandy into a new food shop, and that local talent was lining up to be a part of it.

Providore Fine Foods.

(photo credit: Dina Avila, pdx.eater.com)

This week I went to an opening party there, and it was wonderful to see what kinds of treats they have lined up here.

Like these fabulous offerings from Chop — including a rakish salami with a hint of curry.

All of Chop’s offerings are amazing.

And I found something new — these insanely good chocolates from The Chocolate Maker’s Studio.

(I’m so excited —  I’ll be interviewing this chocolatier in his kitchen studio this week — stay tuned).

At the opening there was one amazing taste after another– ice creams from Red Wagon, the new sodas from Pok Pok, breads from Little T, wines from local wineries, caramels from Quin — you name it.

I returned to the scene of the crime yesterday, and now I can give you the lowdown on Providore Fine Foods.

Inside this bright, airy shop is Emerald Petals (a flower stand), Rubinette (as produce market), Flying Fish Company and Oyster Bar (with seating in the bag for freshly shucked treats and a glass of wine), Meat Monger (local meats) Pastaworks (including a coffee counter, deli case, cheese counter and focaccia stand), and Little T Bakery (I’ve professed my love for this bakery here).

What that means for you the consumer is that there are a bevy of beauties all under one roof.

Let’s start with the main tenant, Pastaworks.

What they’ve always done well is curate the world of delicacies and bring only the very best the world has to offer to you.

So if specialty salts and spices are your deal, look no further.

Is your fridge always chock-full because you’re a condiment junkie?

You’ll find plenty here.

The specialty items range from locally-made items to hard-to-find ingredients from around the globe,

and offerings like these heirloom beans that are allegedly a big favorite of Marcella Hazan.

And if Italian foods are your weakness, this is the spot for you.

Anchovies of all kinds, fine balsamic and olive oils, and of course all those specialty dried pastas.

Best of all I think is their line up of their always-delicious fresh pasta, ravioli, sauces and more.

Many a time I will re-consider going out for Italian and just pick up some of their made-fresh daily fettucine or gnocchi and make some kick-ass food at home.

Don’t forget to stop off for some of their focaccia — they’ve got several different kinds (usually olive oil, rosemary and garlic and a special of the day, as in yesterday’s with pancetta and Calabrian chilis).

Grab a small piece of this rich treat for as little as $2 or go nuclear and buy the whole sheet pan for $16.

Can you imagine the rock-star status you’d instantly have if you walked into a party with that whole sheet pan of focaccia — or had it waiting on your counter for a drinks-after-work fete?

And you can never go wrong with a baguette from Little T Bakery.

Be sure to take a look at the deli case full of salads and prepared foods, salads and sandwiches.

Supposedly they’ve wrestled up some formidable cooking talent from restaurants around town and hired them to make the food you see here.

At Providore Fine Foods, everywhere you look there is serious eye candy.

(photo credit: Dina Avila, eater.pdx.com)

Here’s the marble counter in the front.

Grab whatever your little heart desires, pay for it, and then sit and enjoy at one of the handsome tables.

From your seat you can see the beautiful blossoms at Emerald Petals.

Buy a whole bouquet or just a few of your favorite flowers.

And Rubinette alongside the flowers is pretty spectacular, too.

I could have spent an hour taking in every little item so carefully and lovingly stocked here.

Think of Providore not as one big market, but an exceptionally well curated food hall of the best meats, seafood, dried goods, cheeses and charcuterie, baked goods and sweets and beverages.

Because of its diminutive size, you can be in and out in minutes — but it’s so lovely you may want to linger.

(photo credit: Dina Avila, pdx.eater.com)

So many fun things in one place.

Check it out 9-7:30 every day — and if you see those promised roast chickens churning out before I do, let me know (I’m salivating as I write this).

And now friends, I am grabbing some of my Providore delicacies

and heading off to the beach for the weekend.

Bailey’s Birthday Blow-out Begins!

https://www.facebook.com/providorepdx/