THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 18, 1995 TAG: 9505180049
SECTION: FLAVOR PAGE: F1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Morsels
SOURCE: Ruth Fantasia
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
THE MARKET OF gourmet markets in Hampton Roads is ripening like fresh tomatoes on the vine. Calido Chile Traders recently opened and Williams-Sonoma will open in a couple of days.
Soon, we'll be flush with foods and utensils from all over the world.
Calido Chile Traders, a franchise out of California, opened at Greenbrier Mall in Chesapeake on April 1.
The store's slogan is ``The Hottest Store in Town,'' and it's shelves are filled with salsas, hot sauces, seasoning mixes, spiced peanuts, habanero pecan brittle -anything you can imagine, with a chili-pepper theme.
But owners Chuck and Pat Trentini say it's not all hot stuff. ``Actually, we carry everything from wimpy on up,'' says Chuck.
Even if you're not a label-reading shopper, some of these are likely to grab your attention: Scorned Woman Salsa, Blazing Saddles Pinto Bean Salsa, Bat's Brew hot sauce, Mean Green Salsa, Screamin' Mimi's sauce and Bubba Brand Y'alsa (a Southern Salsa).
There are Thai, Chinese and Cajun products, as well as a selection from the southwestern United States.
Chuck Trentini says customers are welcome to taste anything in the store. So if you want a hot time, stop in between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays or noon and 5:30 p.m. Sundays. Or call 420-2910.
As of Saturday, Hampton Roads residents will no longer have to travel to Alexandria to shop at Williams-Sonoma.
The national kitchen chain will open a new ``Grande Cuisine'' at LePromenade in Virginia Beach. Grande Cuisine stores are larger than other Williams-Sonoma outlets and include a tasting bar where customers can try jams, breads, and flavor-infused oils and vinegars. The store also will feature a cookbook library.
``It's almost like stepping into someone's kitchen,'' says regional manager Sharon Long. ``There are always good smells.''
Store hours will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Call 428-8908. ILLUSTRATION: WILLIAMS-SONONMA
Williams-Sonoma, a kitchen chain complete with tasting bar, will
open in Virginia Beach.
by CNB