By request, a vintage Gourmet Girl column from November 2010. The issue can be found online at this link.
Gourmet Girl goes to…Broughton Street. EH-wonderful!
A recent holiday in the beautiful Ardèche area of France was truly a week of living it up as ‘Gourmet Girl’. I took to shopping for baguettes and produce in village stores and markets like ‘un canard’ to water. I returned with great culinary memories and a food-stuffed suitcase. Edinburgh had a lot to live up to, but fortunately a trip to Broughton Street made me realise I didn’t have to miss France too much.
Starting with a trip to Edinburgh’s original health food shop; Real Foods. They stock everything from local fruit and vegetables, to cereals, pulses, and a huge selection of organic, fairtrade and gluten-free items. It’s also a great place to buy sea salt, herbs and spices – inexpensive and more eco-friendly than always buying new jars from the supermarket. For treats, there’s a great range of ethically sourced chocolate, and delicious organic halva.
If you like your caffeine, head a little further down the hill and stop in at Artisan Roast. What started out a few years ago as a roaster and seller of coffee beans quickly had to add ‘coffee shop’ to their description as local demand meant their espressos and сafetières of ‘just-roasted’ were as popular as the bags of beans to take away. Once you’ve smelled their rich Kilamanjaro, you’ll know what all the fuss is about!
Mention Crombie’s sausages to most Edinburgers, and you’ll likely get an instant nod of approval. An Edinburgh institution, this butcher has been around since 1955 and is best known for their always- rotating repertoire of sausages, as well as succulent steak pie for New Year’s day.
And lastly for this month, L’Escargot Bleu’s Épicerie, a taste of France here at home. When I visited, owner Betty was on hand to guide me around the best of Gallic eats. First-off there’s the famous Parisian wood-fired sourdough, pain Poilâne. Toasted, this bread is perfect with some of L’Épicerie’s home-made Gartmorn Farm duck rillettes. There’s a full selection of artisanal French products such as honey, jams, hams, oils and wines. Cheese guru, the ‘affineur’ Hervé Mons looks after their selection of fromages. Try the ewe’s milk Pérail for a creamy flavour. Oh, and it wouldn’t be right not to mention the macarons….délicieux!
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