Specialty Produce
Have you wondered why you can find beautiful vegetables in the high end restaurants, but cannot find a decent tomato at the grocery store this time of year? Next time you are impressed with the vegetables you are served at your favorite restaurant, simply ask where they purchase their produce. While dining at Dolce Pane E Vino last week and amazed by the beauty of the Heirloom tomatoes, I decided to ask if they could order some tomatoes for my Cook the Part dinner last night. They did even better than that. They shared their procurement secrets with me. The tomatoes and basil came from Specialty Produce on Hancock Street. So I ventured down to pay them a visit on Tuesday and learned that they do sell directly to retail customers; one caution however, you must work hard to find the entrance. We found it on the right side of the building down near the chainlink fence. Just go up the stairs and through the plastic hanging doors that keep the interior of the warehouse cool. Inside, you will find gorgeous colorful, Heirloom tomatoes, micro orchids for decorating your desserts, zucchini and squash that look like they were harvested just minutes ago and an assortment of cooking supplies from truffles to honey. So excited about my new discovery!