Farmer in the Delis (Shop Talk)

OPENINGS

The new deli section at the T&T Supermarket on Keefer Street opened for business on the 26th (see photos below), and although it may be on a more modest scale than the hot food take out sections of the Asian foods grocer's other locations in Richmond, it has done a great deal to brighten up a formerly tired looking corner of the downtown store, as well as expand the assortment of items available for immediate consumption. There are several new cooler cases with pre-cooked and packaged foods on display, a hot dim sum menu, as well as a small eating area in the back with a window looking out onto Tinseltown. (They may want to take down the poster that now covers it.)

From July 6 to 12, T&T stores will be featuring the foods of Thailand, so be on the lookout for items of Thai cuisine to be featured in the take out section as well as such regular items as barbecued pork, spicy tofu, and smoked honey-glazed duck. (We will have more on this tomorrow.)

Meanwhile, over at So.cial at Le Magasin in Gastown, it looks like Chef Sean Cousins' in-house butcher shop and deli is finally going to make its debut. After long delays and hassles with the city's intricate licensing system, the shop will be open for business this Saturday.