A Taste of France in North Hollywood

Last Friday, my friend C. asked me if I wanted to go on an adventure--a food adventure.

Umm, YEAH!!

It turns out she recently stumbled upon a culinary gem. In the middle of a light-industry district in our neighborhood, there is a business called "Epicure Imports."  The company has a warehouse filled with all sorts of fine foods--especially French fine foods. Usually, it's a wholesale business, open only to restaurants. But a few times a year, the warehouse flings open its steel-roller doors to the public, and foodie folks in the know come-a-runnin' to snap up hard-to-find delicacies at wholesale prices.

Photo: Epicure Imports

So of course we went.

Photo: Epicure Imports

Omigollygoshalmighty! I was in hog heaven. Knowledgeable employees handed out free bites of sausages, cheeses, olive oils, and chocolates.

I pushed my cart up and down, admiring aisles and aisles of gorgeous imported goodies. In the chill of their walk-in cold case, I pondered which of the 8 bajillion cheeses I should bring home. I ogled folks buying saucisson and shrink-wrapped rabbit slices and foie gras and all sorts of things that I won't buy (or eat) but that honestly look amazing nonetheless.

Photo: Epicure Imports

And of course I sampled chocolates. Lots and lots of chocolates:

Photo: Epicure Imports

I came home with a carton full of goodies. Here is some of the booty. Olive oils--including a truffle-scented one:

Balsamic vinegars, infused with fig and blackberry flavors:

Beans for cassoulet (This one made me laugh, because although these are made for the French consumer, the beans are from Idaho. So here they are, back in the U.S.A.):

Sweet cassis syrup and vanilla-flavored chestnut spread, suitable for slathering on bread or dotting over a bread pudding:

Sea salts:

A ginormous jar of dried wild mushrooms:

Which I plan to use, first off, with some of the orecchiette and green lentils, here:

So, now it's off to plan tonight's dinner.

Maybe something with French cheese in it?

(Note: If you live in the Los Angeles area, the next open-warehouse even is Friday, March 30 and Saturday, March 31. Go here to learn more.)