Gourmet 47 Market & Cafe
112 N. May St., 312-239-2873 or gourmet47.com
8 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun.
Why it’s worth a visit
For many, grocery shopping is cruising through a checklist and slapping down your cash as quickly as possible. But this specialty mar-ket, which brothers George and Sam Pavlis opened in January in the West Loop neighborhood, gives shoppers reasons to linger: aisles of imported foods, a wall-to-wall deli case and a 44-seat cafe with a newly re-imagined menu.
Why you’ll hit the deli case first
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No grumpy men gripping meat cleavers here. Instead, you’ll find executive chefs Chris Barron and Dane Smith. The deli got a fresh look in April, with dishes such as purple potato croquettes (50 cents each), strawberry applesauce with aged balsamic vinegar ($4.60 per pound), house-made terrines and pates, and 14 kinds of panini ($6.50-$9). The deli features 30 to 40 items daily and a full line of Boar’s Head meats and cheeses.
“We also try to keep the staples, like your basic tuna salad, in house,” said Barron, who likes to share his food: “If somebody’s just pacing around in front of the case, we talk them into tasting something.”
From cart to cafe
Want to interrupt your shopping for a quick bite? Tables line the front windows, and sidewalk seating is available too.
So much food, so little time
A case of domestic and imported artisan cheeses, Napa Valley tapenades, Republic of Tea iced teas, Sarah’s Chocolates and dozens of olive oils and balsamic vinegars are just the start. A large range of domestic and imported wines is sold as well, most in $6 to $15 range.