Store

So you fancy yourself a foodie and want to play like the pros? Pacific Food Importers, the outfit that brings beloved kalamatas and high-end marmalade to shops and restaurants all over Seattle, has its own retail outlet where you can let your gourmet dreams run wild. That is, if you can get over the "what you see is what you get" factor. Here you'll find a bleak room with cement floors unapologetically lit by fluorescent bulbs. You'll be cheered, however, by the five-gallon buckets filled with herbs, beans, peppers, mushrooms and grains; entire aisles devoted to Italian cakes and cookies; and enough varieties of olive oils to satisfy even the most traditional nonna.

John Croce began his business in 1970, selling feta and olives to Greek restaurants from the back of his car. He soon expanded his Mediterranean offerings and opened up shop — a real shop. Mediterranean transplants flock here for hard-to-find items such as avjar (a popular Turkish spread made from red peppers and garlic) and tinned eggplant. And where else could you find this ample a supply of date syrup?

The refrigerated glass counter sees plenty of action, with shipments of olives, cheese (no less than five kinds of feta), bulk nuts and every variety of salami you can think of. Continental types will be comforted by teas from France and the U.K.; coffee lovers will be happy to find the rich South American and Italian brands that soften the "fee" in "coffee."

TIP: It may be hard to find at first; the entrance is actually around the corner from 1005 Sixth Ave. S., facing Madison. And plan your trip around the stadium schedules; traffic is a disaster 15 minutes before a game.

By Vanessa McGrady
Special to NWsource