Not sure if this board is active. I’m into home cooking mainly and now that I’m moving from eastern USA to the Olympia area of WA, I thought to inquire if anyone knows of a good specialty Italian or Italian-American type of grocer. I’m not aware of any here in Olympia/Lacey. Maybe Tacoma? Or are these locations even part of this board’s remit?
Can you make it to DeLaurenti’s at Seattle’s Pike Place Market?
If you can’t, they will ship, but truth be told, visiting the shop is half the experience.
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Could be worth the trip north. Looking at prices for Manitoba flour and Chestnut Cream/Spread on Amazon is not pretty. Plus I could find other stuff there inevitably. The Pacific NW is not like East Coast for Italian, but damn do I love the Thai/Viet herbs and other produce!
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Another good source in Seattle is Big John’s PFI - also near downtown, and a few miles from DeLaurenti’s:
In either case, suggest you check the websites before making to trip to see if they have items of interest to you.
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I’ve never lived that far south, so there may be some hidden gem. But my bet is that there’s not, so a pilgrimage may be a good idea.
deLaurenti is the main draw, but the meat and sausage places in the Market are worth a look while you’re there. Paris-Madrid Grocery, too. Big John’s PFI is still quite worthwhile, although it’s a shadow of its former self. It’s more Eastern European, but tiny George’s Deli has a wondrous selection of excellent charcuterie and European dry goods.
For pastries, Gelatiamo and Kelly Canolli. Breads, Rosellini.
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My first thought was DeLaurentis as well, that’s where I head when out of various stuff, but I live in the South Sound too, so it’s a bit of a hike. Have heard about a couple of places, there’s a Euro Deli in Federal Way, and a place called a Taste Of Europe in Kent. They seem to be more Eastern European focused, but I haven’t been to either location. There’s also a place called Salumi in SoDo, a little sandwich shop that also sells traditional Italian charcuterie that’s excellent. (Mario Batali’s family owns it - I know he got cancelled, but) They may even sell some other specialty items, but I don’t know for sure. Lastly, I’ve been surprised at the stuff on offer at various Asian stores in the Tacoma area, as they usually have sections of other food stuffs, in an international sense. Happy hunting.
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I love the Asian grocers out here in WA. I’m not in Indiana, that’s for sure!
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Might you PM me, as we’re in the same place? I only know you from here and perhaps from Chowhound days.
Of course.
Since I posted this message, I’ve come to discover an interesting make-do place in Olympia Downtown, called something like Delmonico Specialty Butchers. The place is tiny, but has a few tables and you can grab what some serious sandwiches, and then also the handcut ingredients to make your own sammies or what not. They have a small but unusually well curated selection of Italian and more general Mediterranean items. Bought my first big jar of brined Calabrian Chille Peppers here, plus they also sell the peppers in a more natural olive oil and herbs marinade. They had duck fat. You get the idea.
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Batali no longer owns Salumi. It was sold, moved location, and quality went down somewhat. That’s what I read when. Was researching sandwiches a couple weeks ago. Went to Tats instead and wasn’t disappointed. All Seattle. My kid attends college in Tacoma and the Metropolitan Market there (grocery) is well stocked with gourmet stuff. A large cut above your typical Safeway or Kroger.
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While I’ve never been there, my BIL is a serious fan of Tat’s. Envious!
Their cheesesteaks are phenomenal. The “Tatstrami” is legendary.
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For sure their cheesesteak was worth busting my diet for. For one day. But I could happily eat it monthly.
Munchkin you know it’s not that far from de Laurenti. You should try Tats next shopping trip to Seattle.
LOL - I know right where it is. I lived on Capitol Hill for 25+ years. It’s on our list!
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We’re also in sea more often now that we have a kid at the U
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