For most of us here at Penn, finding good food is a bit of a challenge. Either we are bound by a meal plan, a stringent budget, and the alluring glow of the computer touch screens at the Wawa hoagie counter. There are also those kids who long to cook, to make good meals for themselves and their friends, but who don't necessarily have the materials. Finally, Penn students no longer have to pilfer Easy Mac from unsuspecting neighbors, but rather, venture into the fine world of gastronomy via the Gourmet of Old City.
Gourmet of Olde City can be considered a specialty shop, but this fine food provider has something special here for everyone. Have a friend that knows what Hot Bengal Chutney actually is? This place is perfect for her, but in recognition of those of us who are more cuisine-challenged, they have simple things like pizza wheels and heart-shaped egg poachers. Most importantly, Gourmet imports a majority of its merchandise, emphasizing high-quality products that are not readily available in supermarkets. For the coffee addict, the shop boasts a wide selection of flavored coffee as well as coffee grinders since, let's face it, if you like coffee enough to pick out your own particular blends, grinding the beans yourself is the next logical progression. And for the rehibilitating coffee addict, thankfully there is an even greater selection of regular and decaf teas, both in bags and in loose form, from places as far-flung as China, England, and France. A calming cup of decaf Ahmad Tea of London tea might be a nice gift, and a subtle hint as well.
There is more, though, than drinks and heart-shaped cookware. There's imported candy, and not just industry titans such as Ghirardelli and Toblerone. Gourmet also imports high-quality olive oils and vinegars, not to mention various cheeses, crackers, mustards, and sauces. These items are typically placed in a tasting section, which allows you to sample something like tea oil, a new product in the store, before you buy it. In addition, the shop carries high-end glassware from Italy and cookware from Japan, such as sake sets and tea accessories. These items may cost a bit more than the average glass or pot, but they are of a high quality that makes them worth the price. If you're looking for more than just chips and cookies from Wawa, or you have the desire to make a real meal for yourself, then Gourmet of Olde City is most certainly your first stepping stone into the wide world of fine dining.
