Père Noël has made an early stop in Vancouver and left a sleigh-load of gourmet goodies at L’Epicerie Gourmande, the French take-out caterer and gourmet shop in the Granville Island Market.“This time of year feels so special. We’ve been unpacking all week and our shelves are brimming with one-of-a-kind items that you won’t find anywhere else,” says proprietor Chef David Izquierdo.
Items range from small stocking-stuffers to eye-popping gourmet gift baskets. L’Epicerie stocks a full range of items containing the ultimate Foodie treasure – truffles (the fungi, not the chocolate). L’Epicerie can satisfy your truffle addiction with exclusive Truffle Oil from Truffières de Rabasse for $18 and $32. L’Epicerie also has its own private-label organic balsamic vinegar and olive oils in a dozen flavours (including White and Black Truffle) and four sizes ranging in price from $7 (150ml) to $25 (750 ml) and a private-label, organic Truffle Mustard for $12 / 130g jar. On the shelves you’ll also find jars of Truffle Honey, Whole Truffles, Truffle Fleur de Sel and Truffle Juice to name a few of the wide selection of truffle products.
Other savouries include vinegars and glazes by Piazza Grande Modena – a premium line from Italy made from grape musts and infused with juices. These are available in bulk and come in 100 ml ($8.50), 150 ml ($11) and 250 ($15.50) ml sizes and 18 flavours, including Ginger with Grape Must, Pear, Cucumber and Mango. L’Epicerie carries its own line of Organic Mustard made in France. Available in 12 flavours, the mustards are value-priced at $9.95 for 130g jar.
For those with a sweet tooth and a love of Paris, the Je t’aime Paris products are made for them. Packaged in retro tins, Je t’aime Paris items make a charming hostess or Secret Santa gift. The line includes Sablés (shortbreads) in two sizes 130 g ($9) and 300 g ($14) as well as a range of Salted Caramels – 45 g ($5.50), 100 g ($12) and a 10g keychain for emergencies at $4. There are colourful Fruit Jellies in an iconic Eiffel Tower Tin for $14. L’Epicerie also carries imported Fleur de Sel Butter Caramels in a variety of flavours ($7.50 for a pack of 12 pieces) and from Provence, Fruidoraix Calisson, as well as Nougat (coffee, chocolate, blueberry, hazelnut, pistachio and raspberry) at $6.50 for 50g and $12.50 for 100g.
While at L’Epicerie, you may be tempted by the darling glass bottles shaped like a gingerbread boy. These made-in-France syrups come in three flavours – Marron Glacé (chestnut), Spiced Wild Strawberry and Gingerbread. Chef David likes to drizzle them over crepes or ice cream. He also mixed them into hot drinks such as mulled cider. The bottles alone are worth the price – small $8 and large $18. “These are just a few of the special items I’ve brought in this season. I will also be making Galettes des Rois, the traditional Christmas cake of France. Mine consists of flaky puff pastry layers with a dense center of frangipane,” says Chef David.
Have a special foodie on your list? Then a Gift Basket from L’Epicerie may be the perfect solution. Baskets are created around themes such as Crazy About Caramel, Truffle Aficionado, The Gourmet Cook, Sweet Tooth and the large, made-to-order Executive . Filled with culinary delights, pre-made baskets start at $42.
Watch the shop’s Facebook page and website for updates on ‘Christmas Dinner to Go,’ ‘Holiday Season Menus’ of take out food and ‘Dinner to Go.’
Add a little ‘ooh la la’ to your Christmas celebrations this year with gourmet goodies from L’Epicerie Gourmande. Your family and friends will be saying ‘merci beaucoup.’
L’Epicerie Gourmande
Granville Island Public Market,
NE Corner
1689 Johnston Street
Vancouver, BC Canada V6H 3R9
Hours
Open 7 days a week:
9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Contact
Phone: 604-653-7317
T: @LepicerieGourm
Email / Website / Facebook
