Archive for December, 2009

New Years Tidbits

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

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Pick up some great New Years party items like amazing bubbly, fantastic local artisan cheeses, and even the perfect seafood spread. Going to someone else’s house? Don’t forget a host gift, bringing a host gift shows your gratitude for having them clean up. But come in quick – unfortunately, we’ll be closed Friday the 1st of January….we are open today until 4pm.  Do not fear, we’ll be back bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on Saturday the 2nd ready to serve up some pancakes and bacon.

We also thought we might need a day to recover.

TCHO Chocolate, intensely obsessive chocolate

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

TCHO_A_DAY_30Obsessively good chocolate.  All very dark and all very delicious – TCHO chocolates are rich with all those ‘good things’ that chocolate provides: powerful antioxidants, amino acids, and happiness.  Here at Southport Grocery, we carry the 30 day prescriptions as well as single 5gram bars, small enough for a nibble.  Four types in the TCHO family: fruity, nutty, citrus, chocolatey – each with a distinct flavor and slightly different percent of cacao to bring out the richness of the chocolate.

A technology and chocolate came together to make TCHO, a chocolate manufacturing company at it’s core – one of the few artisan chocolate makers in the US. They don’t just melt other’s chocolate, they themselves create the chocolate in their factory on the famous San Francisco waterfront.  They are constantly checking the quality, from pod to bean to the machines. Small batch, tasty, hand picked – what is not to love?

TCHO obsesses over their chocolate and we’re sure you’ll do the same after one taste.

Rishi Tea, the meticulously brood over tea

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Jasmine PearlIn the current landscape of tea there are a near infinite number of choices out there.  We have scoured and found some of the finest tea we’ve had – Rishi Tea. Luckily they weren’t far and were based less than 100 miles away in Milwaukee – Lisa Santos’, the owner of Southport Grocery, hometown.  From green to black to herbal and beyond, there is a tea for any palette.

Like a cup of tea you had with in the cafe?  We carry all of the tea from the cafe on the shelf – and some that aren’t.  One of our favorites is the Organic Jasmine Pearl tea (pictured left) – it’s light and has a smooth earthiness unlike many over-bearing green teas; an ideal soft pick-me-up tea for those long winter days that never seem to end.

Joshua Kaiser, founder of Rishi Tea, wanted to bring what had flourished in wine for years to tea -  exceptional, hand picked, organic, and made with the best possible leaves.  The midwest based Rishi Tea has grown, but their quality hasn’t been compromised – still visiting the tea fields and hand selecting just the right ingredients.

One of the greatest things about tea is sharing, and we want to share with you some of the best tea out there.

What ‘Time Out’ is saying about our Brisket & Gravy :

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Southport Grocery’s Brisket and Gravy was featured in Time Out Chicago.
Read more

Southport Gives back

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Cupcakes for Cans

IMG_0011This Thursday, the 17th, ‘Southport Gives Back.  Southport Grocery is giving back with ‘Cupcakes for Cans’.  Bring in non-perishable food items for cupcakes – one item gets you one cupcake, limit two per person.  All of Southport will be collecting donations for their charities that day. Southport Grocery’s donations are going to the Lakeview Pantry, where they will go to local families in need.

Bring in your cans for a treat of the tongue and soul.

A Book signing and a sweet taste

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

Sarah's candy delights and 'Sweetness'

The famous Sarah Levy from Sara’s Pastries and Candies will be in-store this Saturday the 12th from noon – 2pm to sample her candy delights and sign her new book ‘Sweetness’.

Her book, a guide to making ‘delicious baked treats,’ is available here… a great gift for any baker!

Our favorite Sarah’s candy? The Delights: white, milk, dark, or sugar-free chocolate that coats caramelized almonds, roasted pistachios, and crispy rice – scrumptious!

Get a taste for yourself December ; bring your sweet tooth.

The other face to Southport Grocery

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

Not feeling up to making everything yourself but still want something heavenly for your holiday party?

Simply bring in your favorite platter – or use one of our disposable decorative platters – and choose your fare. You don’t have to do any of the work; simply take the wrap off and relish the party.

We have a flourishing catering menu with some of your steadfast favorites like our Hummus – with crackers & crudites (6.50/serving). Go with something ‘catering-only’ like the green olive, goat cheese, and walnuts on crostini (24/dozen) or pear wedges & arugula wrapped prosciutto (28/dozen) – so many choices even that picky aunt will be happy. Check out our entire catering menu.

Have something in mind? Ask, we do custom menus! Only 48 hours notice is required – sometimes more for those larger parties.

Get a taste of handmade without all that work – from Southport Grocery and Cafe’s catering.

Free tastings …and meet the makers!

Friday, December 4th, 2009

We want to share with you our favorite local grocery items all though December; come in for a free tasting and meet the makers.

  • Dig Dips – Saturday 12/5, 10am-1pm
  • Sara’s Candies – Saturday 12/12, 12-2pm
  • Sweet Girl – Sunday 12/13, 12-2pm
  • Truffle Truffle – Saturday 12/19, 12-2pm
  • Terry’s Toffee – Sunday 12/20, 11-1pm

Our Chicago food favs for your…

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Our Chicago food faves for your…corporate shining star!

Bosses, co-workers, clients – each harder than the next to shop for – luckily we’ve got the perfect handpicked gift basket.

20Tell us what they like or set a theme. Need a gift for a real chocoholic? We carry Truffle Truffle, Terry’s Toffee, Vosges, or Sarah’s Candies, La-Dee-Dahs enough to satisfy any sweet tooth. Baker? We’ve got amazing locally created extracts from Neilsen-Massey. Die-hard Chicagoan? From Twisted Spoke Bloody Mary mix to Urban Accents and Chicago Spice house to Gary Poppins, all made in our fair city and able to quell any apatite. If you want that personal touch, come in and handpick your basket.

Tell us how much you’d like to spend (25, 50, $75+). We also offer delivery in Chicago, or shipping anywhere in the lower 48. Have no clue? We carry gift cards at any denomination.

Give a basket with something local and handpicked!