Article
To Market, To Market
This just in—hot off the panini press.
By Judi Gallagher
Picture this— a grocery store that allows you to belly up to the counter for pizza, salad and pasta or place a take-out order for freshly made homemade minestrone soup and a half dozen cannolis. Now picture that the new Italian market inside the grocery store happens to be the creation of a favorite Italian restaurant of yours. Enter Carrabba’s Italian Market located just inside at the Publix supermarket on University (also home of Apron’s Cooking School).
The brainchild is a joint effort with Carrabba’s and Publix, but the food is all Carrabba’s—and trust me, the lasagna is just about to die for. Especially since I found out that they use the same fresh buffalo mozzarella from a small Vermont farm that I just happen to adore on the salad caprese. During the holidays you can even buy Carrabba’s gift certificates at the market. And you can order a cappuccino to sip while you pick up some cereal and light bulbs down the grocery aisles. Running errands just got a whole lot more enjoyable.
St. Armands exec Diana Corrigan orders up at Carrabba's new Italian market at Publix.
St. Armands exec Diana Corrigan orders up at Carrabba's new Italian market at Publix.
Was it snowing last weekend or was it too early to see the thermometer at 92 degrees?
Word of Mouth in Gulf Gate (6604 Gateway Ave.) has a fun month of Christmas in July happening, right down to the snowfall trickling off the awning. Seasonal holiday coffee blends, specials and even a Christmas in July wine dinner is planned. I could have sworn I saw Santa having huevos rancheros and a blueberry muffin last Saturday!
Always in the mood for a nice glass of wine, I ventured over to Fleming’s the other night to discover what was new on their wine list. Wow—that’s what I call a wine list. Since I am a fan of wines by the glass, I danced with the Cambria pinot noir (and a little ahi tuna) before going for the big boy: Valley of the Moon Cuvee de la Luna Reserve. With hints of blueberry, blackberry and currants, it holds up to a tender filet or believe it or not, even the tuna. Nice to see their wine manager, Franco Espada, at the helm of the new wine list. I appreciated his expertise for years previously at Fred’s. (In the interest of full disclosure, I do some consulting work for Fleming’s.)
Franco at Fleming's shows off some new wines.
Franco at Fleming's shows off some new wines.
Spotted at Whole Foods: Maine blueberries for only $2.50 a pint. While not organic berries, they were large, delicious and perfect for a summer dinner of blueberry peach pancakes.
Do you have a favorite summer food and wine hangout? Share your discoveries by posting below. And remember: You can ask a question about food and wine at our new “Ask Judi” department, under the food and wine drop-down menu on our home page, www.sarasotamagazine.com, and I will gladly provide an answer.
Filed under
Share
Show Comments