When the new Seed to Sausage General Store opened this week on Gladstone Street in Ottawa's Centretown area, there was much rejoicing among foodies and chefs alike. I first tasted Mike McKenzie's famed Seed to Sausage charcuterie when researching for an Ottawa at Home story in 2012 on packing the perfect picnic basket. I've been a big fan ever since.
Salami, sausages, carefully cured bacon and other handcrafted delights have been a mainstay of Seed to Sausage's business since the beginning, with a select few Ottawa stores offering their products. True aficionados have been making the trek from spring through fall to Seed to Sausage HQ in Sharbot Lake, less than two hours' drive from the Nation's Capital, to get their hands on a wider array of tasty products.
Now, with the opening of the Seed to Sausage General Store, Mike and co-owner Ross May are delighted to bring a greater selection of artisan food products to an eager market. The butcher counter offers a dazzling array of goods sure to delight any carnivore, including duck prosciutto, smoked duck breast and 80 day dry aged rib steaks - something all but impossible to find elsewhere in Ottawa, and yet offered at a fair price.
In addition, the small shop's shelves are beautifully filled with an array of products that would spice up any party or picnic. Locally-made Nat's Bread snuggles up beside artisan potato chips from Neal Brothers and Darling Spuds. Specialty salts, mustards, teas, honey, Top Shelf Preserves, Joe Beef Spice Blends, fancy sodas from Ottawa's Harvey & Vern's and Vancouver's SIP, hot sauces, crackers and more are featured in the carefully-curated selection of non-perishable goods. One of the highlights of the shop is surely its cheese selection, which includes many outstanding (and sometimes hard-to-find) cheeses from Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and British Columbia.
With friendly, knowledgeable service to boot, the Seed to Sausage General Store is sure to quickly become a favourite stop for those who love to gather the finest edible products to share with family and friends.
Seed to Sausage General Store is at 729 Gladstone Avenue.
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