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We’re Renovating!

January 9, 2012 – 3:14 pm | No Comment

Just over two years ago, The Urban Grocer went live. Since then, the team has grown and bold achievements have been reached as we’ve worked to cultivate a new space for young urban foodies and …

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The Old World Goes New

January 26, 2012 – 6:04 pm | No Comment

Ah, Europe. Cities steeped in history, countryside’s ripe with rolling hills, vineyards, Cyprus trees, and olive groves. It’s the grand, Old World. But that certainly doesn’t mean that new and innovative products in art, music – and of course, food – aren’t bursting from the continent’s seams. From boutiques in Paris to studios in Germany, pastry shops in London to chocolatiers in Spain, Europe boasts a bounty of creative foodstuffs that inspire. Here are some of our favorites.

Edible forks and spoons. Like all good Parisians, Poilâne boulangerie and patisserie is passionate about bread. Among all their carbohydrate-filled dreams, Poilâne’s curry-flavored, edible cracker forks and spoons are a true standout, perfect for dipping into savory canapés. If it’s sweets you’re craving, make use of their shortbread fork for dunking into those tempting Parisian desserts.

Parmesan pencils. Speaking of edible utensils, these Parmesan pencils are just about one of the coolest food products this side of the pond. Truffles, pesto, and chili flavors constitute the “lead” in each of these Parmesan wonders, respectively, which can be easily shaved – via the handy sharpener – onto everything from pastas to risottos to salads.

Chocolate moustaches. From Spain’s famed Chocolate Factory come six different chocolate mustaches, in styles ranging from Hulk Hogan to Pancho Villa and in seven flavors like chocolate caramel or chocolate-covered strawberry. Perfect for awakening the Tom Selleck in your foodie friend.

Veggie cupcakes. Yes, we got the memo. Cupcakes are so yesterday. But that says nothing of cupcakes made entirely from vegetables. Out of London comes Petit Pois: tasty cakes made from pumpkin to zucchini to beetroot. So if you’re struggling to fulfill your 5-a-day quota, you may do well to look no further than these charming green-dotted beauties.

Curried chocolates. Le Carré des Chocolatiers hails – like so much of the world’s best chocolate – from Switzerland (yes, I said it). While that may lead you to overlook these chocolatiers as anything but innovative, consider their Summun Circus: caraway, black mustard, and fennel chocolate topped with crispy Pop Rocks. Or how about their Mediterraneao, which rocks herbs like thyme, lavender, oregano, and sage, among other heady aromas. Neutral, what?!

Wanna scoop up these inspired treats for yourself? Though you may have to travel, you can check out edible forks here, stock-up on Parmesan pencils here, get your (chocolate) Pancho Villa on here, gobble-up curried chocolates here, and shop for little pea cakes here. Et voilà!

Happy New Year!

January 5, 2012 – 4:24 pm | No Comment
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Happy New Year! And hello 2012, nice to meet you!
I know what you’re thinking – how is it possibly 2012?! How is 2011 already last year? We couldn’t agree more. It seems like just …

Happy Holidays! See You in 2012!

December 19, 2011 – 2:29 pm | No Comment
candy canes

Red and white striped candy canes. Holiday cookies. A roast, or maybe a Christmas barbeque. Champagne. Oysters, caviar. Whatever holiday eats grace your table from now through to the new year, one thing is unequivocal—this …

Food + Drinks + Music = Awesome Infographic

December 15, 2011 – 11:38 pm | One Comment
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Wine and food. A classic combination. Music and food? Well, while you may love to rev up your favorite beats while in your kitchen, it’s not often that we pair music and food and drinks …

Pork Spiked Candy Canes + Chilied Chocolates

December 13, 2011 – 8:34 pm | No Comment
bacon-candy-canes

Some people like their bacon black and crispy. Others like it a gently seared pinkish brown. Well we’re here to tell you that there’s a brand new way to enjoy your favorite piggy treat: In …

Return of the Living Red

December 12, 2011 – 7:59 pm | One Comment
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Forget the chateaux. Forget the birds. Forget whatever nonsensical French-countryside illustrations you’ve seen on wine labels. And enter Mash. Always creative, never predictable, Mash is one of our favorite creative agencies. Hailing from Oz, their …

The Urban Grocer’s Foodie Gift Guide

December 8, 2011 – 4:28 pm | One Comment
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There’s a plethora of unique, drool-inducing gifts out there just waiting for a happy home with a loving foodie. Whether it’s butchering classes or chocolate moustaches, we’re here to help you find the perfect present …

Flying High: Runway 34, Zurich

December 7, 2011 – 2:28 pm | One Comment
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Want to light up a smoke in first class without getting turfed out of the plane like Alec Baldwin? We’ve got your ticket – just head on over to Runway 34, an airplane-turned restaurant just …

From Closed Door to Exclusive

December 5, 2011 – 10:31 am | One Comment

Any tried and true foodie in Buenos Aires is an assiduous follower of Chef Diego Felix’s’ closed door restaurant, Casa Felix. Typically, however, his inspired pescatarian eats are only available a few months out of …

Friday Five: Gastro Fashion

December 2, 2011 – 12:32 pm | No Comment

Our resident stylist extraordinaire, Jess Zaino, mashes-up the wonderful world of food and fashion every few weeks for us on The Urban Grocer. Inspired by her passion for culinary couture, this week’s Friday Five is …

Bamboo Brilliance: Tang Palace, China

December 1, 2011 – 10:26 am | One Comment
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China is a place where tradition meets modernity and Tang Palace in Hangzhou is no exception. Sweeping, woven nets of bamboo are fashioned into a curved, wave-like ceiling, while backlit bamboo screens, bamboo sheets, and …

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