This week we're giving you a guide to gourmet and international markets where you can find tasty items for your personal enjoyment and holiday entertaining needs, as well as unique gifts for foodie friends.
AEGEAN DELI & MARKET 1370 Clearwater-Largo Rd. N., Largo; 727-585-4661. At first glance you could mistake this for just any old convenience store, but walk around and find a slew of imported goodies from around the globe.
BELLA VITA RISTORANTE & MARKET 19651 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Ste B1/B2, Tampa; 813-973-7703, bellavitamarket.com. Besides being a restaurant that serves traditional Italian fare and pizza for lunch and dinner, Bella Vita is also a gourmet market offering baked goods, imported cheeses, wine and their own sauces and pasta made in-house.
BERN'S FINE WINE & SPIRITS 1002 South Howard Ave., Tampa; 813-250-9463, bernsfinewines.com. For an established store with a huge selection of wine, cheese and accompaniments, make sure to stop by Bern’s Fine Wines & Spirits. The list of retail cheeses available hovers around thirty all year long. —Kira Jefferson
BIANCHI'S ENOTECA 3215 S.MacDill Ave. Suite G., Tampa; 813-837-2233, bianchisenoteca.com. This “wine repository” is truly a lovely spot to purchase wine, cheese and unique food items. Not only can you enjoy a cup o’ joe from Buddy Brew Coffee while you peruse the stores treasures, you can also savor a delicious goat cheese omelet, ham croissant or gourmet grilled cheese at the café bar. —Kira Jefferson
CASTELLANO & PIZZO MARKET 4200 Henderson Blvd., Tampa; 813-289-5275, castellanoandpizzo.com. The market is like a mini Mazzaro's with prepared foods, cheeses, oils and vinegars, desserts, fresh produce, baked goods and even caviar. Hungry? Grab lunch at their cafe which serves Italian and Spanish cuisine.
This article appears in Dec 16-22, 2010.