Chez François (Plaisirs de Provence)
427 Richmond Road (in Westboro)
Ottawa
(613)759-8000
www.plaisirsdeprovence.com
Recently moved (last December) to Ottawa from St. Jovite in the Laurentians is a food store called "Chez François". It was known as "Plaisirs de Provence" when in the Laurentians; I used to make a pilgrimage there every two months or so.
It is owned by a husband and wife team, who carry some great products.
Special mention must be made of their wonderfully light and flaky croissants, made with French butter. The same pastry is used to make what I will call "cranberry twists", which are my favourite; they contain custard and cranberries. They also make raisin and custard "wheels", pains au chocolat, and almond croissants. A variety of fresh breads too.
They carry numerous imported cheeses, foie gras (goose and duck), and saucissons. I've tried a few, and really like them, especially the flat pack of two discs of goose foie gras made in Strasbourg. The Marechal cheese from Switzerland is really good.
In-house they make things like chicken pot pie, blanquette de veau, and a bunch of other heat-and-serve stuff. They also have house-made pasta of different flavours.
In their sweets counter they have macarons, fruit tarts, and a bunch of chocolates and candies.
They carry copper cookware, table linens from Provence, etc. There is a big variety of stuff, too big to cover in detail. Check their web site.
Definitely worth a visit. Since they moved here I've been going there at least once a week.
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