By Kevin Revolinski
When it comes to fine food ingredients, there’s no one more passionate about them than a specialist. These 10 area shops fit the bill.
FROMAGINATION
This popular cheese store right on the Capitol Square offers one of the finest selections of imported and Wisconsin cheeses, as well as a variety of other specialty food items, often Wisconsin- made. Its location also makes it easy to pick up a cheese board or a fresh-made sandwich for Concerts on the Square.
12 S. Carroll St., fromagination.com
ARTEMIS PROVISIONS & CHEESE
Specializing in sustainably-produced, locally-sourced meat, eggs and cheeses, Artemis sells a variety of premade boxes of beef, pork and chicken as well as eggs and Brunkow cheeses online with delivery and pickup options. Plans are to open a storefront in June with Wisconsin food products and a connecting restaurant serving Jamaican-American food.
213 E. Main St., Mount Horeb, artemisprovisions.org
ALIMENTARI
Mortadella or prosciutto sliced paper- thin as it is in Italy; freshly-made pasta and sauces; even take-and-bake lasagna. This epicurean deli owned by the folks at A Pig in a Fur Coat carries select imported Italian products along with the best local ones to offer the perfect stop for your next dinner or charcuterie board. Don’t forget to order a fresh sandwich to-go, made with Madison Sourdough bread.
306 S. Brearly St., alimentarimadison.com
MEAT PEOPLE
Offering beef, pork, lamb and chicken, this locally-sourced, whole-animal butcher has cuts you might not find else- where — and they take requests. Pick up sausages, brats or hot dogs — or special- ties such as Braunschweiger, ’nduja and goat gyro salami. Charcuterie includes guanciale, mortadella and more. A well- curated selection of wines and other specialty items pair with the meats.
4106 Monona Dr., meatpeoplebutcher.com
SEAFOOD CENTER
Making a special seafood dish? Two deli coolers hold an array of carefully-sourced, high-quality seafood. Also find live lobsters, hot soups and to-go meals (a variety of fried fish, scallops and more). Freezer items include lobster cakes and sashimi-grade fish.
Tip: the smoked salmon spread is fantastic.
712 S. Whitney Way, seafoodcentermadison.com
FRABONI’S ITALIAN SPECIALTIES & DELICATESSEN
The family-owned deli offers great imported charcuterie cuts as well as olives, sundried tomatoes, cheeses, artichokes and other deli items. Made- to-order sandwiches are also popular. Browse a nice selection of dry goods, select wines and frozen specialties that celebrate all things Italian.
108 Owen Rd., Monona, frabonisdeli.com
VOMFASS USA
The local outlet of this global retailer is a must-stop for lovers of olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and … whiskey. The imported oils are dispensed via barrels, and customers select the bottle size they’d like, from 250 milliliters up to one-liter bottles. Most everything can be sampled.
Fun fact: vomFASS’s sister business, DelecTable, is also housed here and hosts multi-course dinners and cooking classes.
3248 University Ave., vomfass-madison-universityave.com
OLIVE + HERB
Owner Lori Hackman offers a wide variety of olive oils and balsamic vinegars — all of which can be sampled. Also on offer at the gourmet small business are bread-dipping spice blends and olive oil beauty products. Pre-made or to-order gift baskets are available.
2824 Prairie Lakes Dr., Unit 102, Sun Prairie, oliveandherb.com
PENZEYS
This Wisconsin-based company offers proprietary, high-quality spice blends for cooking, grilling and baking, as well as a selection of curries, soup bases and vanilla for the spice-curious. Charmingly, some of their blends are named after Wisconsin cities and towns.
3252 University Ave., penzeys.com
THE CONSCIOUS CARNIVORE
Find grass-fed beef and lamb from small Wisconsin farms with humane practices. Everything gets used, including muscles and offal to bones for dogs. The freezers hold duck, chicken, frozen chili and Bolognese sauce. Ribeyes are dry-aged 40 days on-site and special cuts are available on request. The brats are popular, as are their lamb- based sausages.
3236A University Ave., conscious-carnivore.com
