Providence food shopping.

I soon will be moving to Putnam, CT and would appreciate advice about farmer's markets, food shopping, wine stores etc. in the area. I thought Providence might be the best bet, but I am open to suggestions. Thanks.

[HungryChris]

You can also take 395 up to the Mass Pike and head east. Get off at exit 12 and take a short ride on Rt 9 to Trader Joes and whole Foods in Framinham. That TJ's sells wine and has some great deals. It is not a bad ride from Putnam.

HC

[sorealfood1]

Farmstead in Wayland square is THE cheese shop in Prov. I am from PA Dutch land as well, (lebanon) and have lived near prov. for 5 yrs. Sorry but this area is not as "Farmstand/farmers market adept" as PA, but things are changing. Farm fresh RI is doing good work. Remember to post any good finds!

[JaneRI]

which reminds me, you can use www.farmfreshri.org to search for farmer's markets and local farms open to the public. It extends into eastern CT.

[jacobsdeception]

The local farmers' market has been here for as long as I can remember. You can find the schedule here: http://www.nectfarmersmarket.org/loca... It's nice to see they finally caught up a little bit with technology.

If you go to the one in Killingly (it's usually all the same people that just move locations) go to the guy with the red van that is closest to Main St. He has the best tomatoes and basil. I forget which farm he's from offhand.

[JaneRI]

Hi Mabel, I live in RI but love that area of CT. Here are my recs.

I know you didn't ask about restaurants but I'll include the Vanilla Bean just the same. It's a local institution, good solid food (mostly sandwiches, simple stuff, very good chili), entertainment, a local hub. The owners also run 85 Main downtown. I've found that to be a bit uneven but that's only based on 2 visits.

Go to www.ctwine.com and explore the eastern CT wine trail (western one is good too). Start in the south at Stonington & Jonathan Edwards, head northwest to Priam in Colchester, take the backroads to Pomfret to Sharpe Hill, and finish at Taylor Brooke in Woodstock. A few are closed for the winter, check websites. Sharpe Hill makes a late harvest dessert wine that is my favorite sweet wine ever.

A place I've been meaning to get to is the Still River Cafe in Eastford. Very upscale, and only serves Fri-Sat dinner, and Sunday brunch. www.stillrivercafe.com

Another local product is the eau-de-vies from Westford Hill Distillers. http://www.westfordhill.com/home.html Unfortunately, you can't visit for a tasting the way you would at a winery but they told me their products are used in desserts at Still River, and served by the glass at 85 Main.

[ctgirlnow]

Hi Mabel,

Coming from another place to this area can be a big adjustment--expecially if you are into food. Here's a good starting point that might help.

Providence has a whole foods and trader joes, along with a great italian district. You can go north to Shrewsbury street in MA and get every type of food up there.

Farmers markets are in the area but are small and only during warmer months. Willamantic has a co-op that you can easily get to. Stonington has a great farmers market with seafood. Wayne's organic's is a great place to get organic foods. Look them up on the internet and you can pick the items up once a week at a local drop off spot. You buy a share.

Good Thai place in putnam.

Good luck!

[awurrlu]

Sadly, no Trader Joe's in Providence yet. There is a wintertime farmer's market, though, on Saturdays from 12-3 at AS220. Here's a link: http://www.farmfresh.org/food/farmers...

Mabel, what exactly are you looking for? I live probably 10 minutes from Putnam or less. Why would you think you need to go to Providence for wine, etc?

Hi, Just ignorance; but I thought there might be a large farmer's market, good fish and cheese stores in Providence. I know there is a Stop and Shop and Wal-Mart near Putnam, but don't know what else. Appreciate any enlightenment. Maggie

No problem Mabel. K-Mart is in the same area as Wal Mart, TJ Max is there also. About Providence, I go to Providence Place Mall to do my shopping. It is awesome. Also, Federal Hill is a "Little Italy." If you want some specifics about the area, just ask. I am south of Putnam. All the local farmer's markets are finished for the season. This is a very suburban area which means travelling to get the good stuff or ordering it on line. May I ask where you are coming from?

Nancy

Hi Nancy, Actually, we have lived in the PA Dutch country for a few years. I am quite spoiled by the Lancaster and Lebanon markets, not to mention the farm stands. We actually have a few cold weather greens in Lancaster. Also, we have a wholesale (to a lot of reatuarants) market with a retail stand. However, I suspect that there may be some better wine stores than the local state stores. Maggie

Hi Mabel, again! :) We don't have state run liquor or wine stores. They are all privately owned and in Connecticut they are called "package stores" if you are a native. :) I hope you won't be too disappointed when you move up here. We are considered the "poorer" part of the state. I love this area but you have to go searching for what you want. Putnam now has, in the center of town, some cool flea market stores and antique stores. You have to be careful though and know what you are doing. The nice thing about the Northeast Corner is we are close to Boston, Providence, New York City and I guess I have to include, reluctantly, Hartford! If you need to get out of the house during your move, have dinner at The Inn at Woodstock Hill, in Woodstock. Very quiet and romantic and good food. Good luck with the move.
Nancy

[invinotheresverde]

In Putnam, you're about 20ish minutes away from Yankee Spirits, which is in Sturbridge, MA. It's a huuuuuge liquor and wine store. The prices are reasonable, and they hold lots of tastings and promotions. I make the drive a few times a month myself.

[basachs]

How does this Yankee Spirits in Sturbridge compare to the one in Attleboro?

I am thinking it must be better for you to travel farther, just curious though..

[invinotheresverde]

It's much, much larger (although it still has the same weird smell!), the bulk of the store being (I believe) eight long wine aisles.