Epicure Gourmet Market, a welcome addition
We checked out the new Epicure Gourmet Market Sunday and it was just as great as the South Beach store. There are still a lot of items to be added but the place is bright, clean and full of goodies.
The store is located at LeJeune and Ponce de Leon Blvd, right across US1, in the lobby of the new apartment complex; very convenient to Coconut Grove. And there is plenty of free parking, inside the garage and out in a surface lot.
They have all the items you've seen at the South Beach location; lots of prepared food and produce; an olive bar, lots of pastries and lots of items like jellies and sauces and things.
It really is a pleasure to have the addition to our neighborhood. Now all we need is a Trader Joe's that's close by.
Epicure has their own brands as well as all the major brands. They have lots of special chocolates, meant for holiday gifts, and even something like this chili or the soups that come in jars like this would make great gifts. Just put a bow on the top. My friend bought matzo ball soup, right in the jar with all the matzo balls in there floating around.
There's a huge wine selection with something for everyone.
My favorite spot may be the cafe area. You can bring the food you purchase from the deli and eat there or they have a large menu for breakfast and lunch, where you can be waited on at the counter or at tables. There are lots of tables, inside and outside. I love the counter, even though it's modern, with lots of chrome and glass, it reminds me of those old fashioned lunch counters in Woolworth's. Remember them?
Maybe it was because it was was Sunday morning and it had that type of relaxed group of people, but it just has a nice, homey feel to it. And get this, we ate free! We were comped.
They are so attentive there, that Jason, the owner told the waiter not to charge us. Why? Because he thought I didn't like the coffee. He said he saw me make a face when it arrived. But I don't remember doing that, for all I know, I was holding in a sneeze or something, it wasn't intentional. And this was just as the coffee arrived, we had not even received our food yet and he already decided that we would be comped! But we were not unhappy; we were thrilled to be there. And thrilled that they are here.
The food was great, and the service, too, there is plenty of staff; all nice and friendly.
Epicure Gourmet Market is open daily from 8 am to 11 pm.
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4 Comments:
Delecious!!
I went too and its awesome! How come the Grove doesn't get this simple concept, Free Parking and Free Trolleys? I simply don't get it? We never ever go into the Grove anymore it's such a hassle and we have lived here for years. So much easier to drive 5 minutes and get treated properly! Wake up GROVE !
We went last night for a light dinner and hopefully to do some shopping. We have been excited by this prospect for a very long time. The staff in the café was great, especially our server, Eric. We weren't even put off by overhearing the couple near our table paying their check and uttering "NEVER AGAIN!" to their waiter.
Our experience started to turn sour when we were told they were out of rye bread (really, EPICURE? RYE bread?). My sandwich order did not come out right, but Eric did promise to make it right the next time we visited. After paying an obscene number for 2 sandwiches, a cup of coffee and a soda, we were ready for the real reason for our trip to Epicure: SHOPPING! We were disappointed that there seemed to be a dearth of inventory in such a large space. It may be just that, the space is too large for them, so an optical illusion of sorts. Or maybe they had sold out of a lot of items. As for what they did have, we didn't find much that was exciting, except the bakery area, that looked very nice. I am sure everyone is aware of the price point at Epicure, I knew that going in. Being a frequent Whole Foods shopper, I ventured in unafraid. However, even I, an admitted spendthrift foodie, left in a virtual catatonic state. Our purchase consisted of a jar of soup, 2 black and white cookies, one strip steak, a mini Babka and a small jar of chicken fat (my husband's secret addiction). The total was almost $70. Ouch.
I speculate Epicure does a profitable business on the catering side, they are known for that. Other specialty markets in the area (Whole Foods, Joanna's, Fresh Market, Trader Joe's, Norman Brothers), have no fear. You got this.
Although I vowed not to return again, I might be forced to run back at some point for that elusive jar of chicken fat.
Can't wait to try it out. And Trader Joe's is only a short drive south on the highway.
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