New French Deli "L' EPICERIE" Calgary

[ccds]

Great new deli owned and operated by Dominique Moussu

Just opened this week right next to Manuel Latruwe's Beligian Bakery

in the Calibaut Chocolate Mall off McLeod Tr. S

the correct address is 1325 1st St. SE....

It only opened this week and its has great French Deli food...WOW!

give it a try

[hornvixen]

l'Epicerie is a gorgeous shop. I wish I could make it there every day, to be honest! It isn't the kind of place you go for many things, but for a treat. I find it ideal to buy some ham, a cheese, and some cornichons - perhaps a couple different things every few weeks, and have a dinner without cooking (picnic dinner). It is still far less expensive than eating out.... and I can enjoy some wine, my favourite baguette, and just relax.

Dominique has always been a wonderful host! Service with a smile - and even a wink or two! Super nice, and always offering samples. I am a sucker, and often buy more of each sample. I think the prices are reasonable enough - this stuff is imported and extremely perishable. I can't imagine the cost for the goods alone - never mind keeping the doors of the shop open. I don't find the prices shocking, as it is still less than a trip to France (although I surely wouldn't complain) but it is yummy.

I have only had cornichons this good at a virtually hidden restaurant in Montreal - l'Express. I don't even care about the price of them, as I nearly faint and swoon at every bite. To be savoured, for sure. I've spent more money buying terrible ones and throwing them away after having them sit in the fridge for over 2 years....

In the trips I have made there, Dominique has always had something a bit different to offer - so there is always something new. Sometimes a new cheese, or a new foie gras torchon, or a tasty pastry. I find the atmosphere warm and inviting; it is the perfect little pit-stop for a snack in the middle of a Saturday afternoon between running errands. No I'm not going to buy the entire shop, or go every day, but I enjoy the products and the flexibility it can offer me with serving genuine products to friends or guests. (pics on my blog a while ago - but just go to the shop for a little fun)

[howlin]

sounds good .any cretons?

[ccds]

Hi foks:

didn't take the notes as being snippy at all. I was just interested in seeing more people
getting a chance to try this neat little secret.(as it just opened last week)

I only know the owners from talking to them.

Hope people enjoy the change of step a bit.

:)

[maplesugar]

A much overdue Thank You ccds! I appreciate the info about L'Epicerie and your updates on the ML thread. :)

[knifeguy]

Thank you Dom!! Outstanding to find great tasting terrine in town. The pig cheek and liver terrine is so good I'm salivating just writing this.

[Albertagirl]

I don't get any mean spirit in the replies, just maybe people wanting more details (as I do) as to what is there, Some people are more detailed in their postings than others. Thanks ccds for alerting us to this new venture, we'll have to get our butts down there to see and support it, and post more info if we are inclined.

[pants]

i agree, i didn't notice anything snippy either...i think i'll try it for lunch today

[sarah galvin]

I drove past to see if M.L. was open today and also discovered L'Epicerie. I peered through the window and I will definitely be back. It was intriguing.

[toutefrite]

I find all the responses really harsh as well, but then I was also threatened with banishment for finding an assertion ridiculous. Clearly I have a ways to go before I grasp board etiquette and culture. I told a Calgary friend about this shop, and he sent me iphotos and is ecstatic about the jambon.

[maplesugar]

There's a l'epicerie on just about every street corner in Quebec since it simply means "grocery"...which vary from a corner deppaneur (cheap wine, smokes, and staples) to the larger metros and provigos....

Add me to the list of people requiring clarification on "french deli food" :)

[John Manzo]

Um- with all respect I think some of you are being quite mean. ccds is not a first-time poster and I'm not getting sniff of marketing here- fact is a lot of folks would never know about this place since w/ Latruwe still closed there is little motivation to pull in.

THANK YOU to ccds for letting us know about this place. I do not care if s/he has been there as a customer; I am perfectly happy checking it out for myself, but might not even be aware of its existence but for posts like this.

I also think Fid's summary sounds pretty darn "French."

Come on. Honestly.

[sharonanne]

"I do not care if s/he has been there as a customer; "
Me either, just want to know if they have or have not.

[sharonanne]

Yes, details, please! What did you eat, what did you like?

[Bob Mac]

ccds:

What constitutes "French Deli food"? I am assuming pate, cornichons, nicoise olives but what else?

[Fid]

I ventured down there today and was greeted warmly by Dominique Moussu, who offered samples of pate, duck, and jambon. The deli case had an assortment of pates, foie gras, duck confit, fiddleheads, little asparagus, cured meats, cheeses (Brillat Savarin, chevrot, bocconcini, camembert, etc.). They also make sandwiches. There were also items on the shelves (Evian, fleur de sel, biscuits, vinegars, mustards, etc.) and an assortment of spices. Also, they had some organic produce.

Dominique said that they just opened a few days ago. Hopefully, there will be even more of an assortment of goods soon. I also asked if they had any idea when Manuel Latruwe would open, and they said perhaps in 3 or so weeks.

[Bob Mac]

Thanks for the additional info Fid....

Probably just as well that I live in Edmonton...I would be spending too much on duck confit alone...........sounds interesting...much like Choux, Choux in Victoria....

[sarah galvin]

It looks like even more variety than Choux Choux! I'll be over there tomorrow.

[pants]

just finishing up my sandwich - it's delicious, jambon, fresh tomato, grainy mustard, lettuce on a tasty fresh black olive bread. I got to try some ham and gruyere quiche, all the pates, the jambons and a baby madelene...everything was great but a bit pricey. I'm ok with paying more for quality food but $14 for a sandwich and no sides is starting to get up there.

i will definitely be back though.

[sarah galvin]

Wonderful shop - fresh morels, fiddleheads, aromatic spices, wonderful pates, madeleines and macarons. I had the sausage roll for an eat and run lunch and bought a nice little slab of pate - $14 total. It is superior quality, to say the least.

[pants]

those sausage rolls looked amazing!!

[yen]

I popped by right after the lunch hour to pick up a sandwich. I have to admit, i was shocked at the prices. The quality looked fantastic, and i got a bag of the fresh fried potato chips (very tasty), but i have a difficult time justifying that kind of price for most of those kinds of dishes.

Maybe it's the cheapness in me, or maybe i don't make enough money, but i don't see myself shopping there regularly at all. Maybe once a year for a treat.

[sarah galvin]

But isn't it a wonderful treat ;)

[yen]

I won't argue that at all. Definitely that. I guess i just wish it was a bit more affordable so i could go more often.