A Cool-Ass Grocery Takes Root Downtown

By Alan Kleinfeld, 9-26-06

There’s a new resident in Downtown Albuquerque. According to some, the first of its kind ever downtown. We’re not talking a single person or another, lowbrow, college-esque bar (thank gawd!) or even a sparkling building of completely unsellable, over-priced lofts. This new resident is Downtown Gourmet, a cool-ass grocery.

Across from Robinson Park (on Saturdays you can find a farmers market there) and just a few steps from Java Joe’s, Carey Smoot opened up Downtown Gourmet June 2006. You can tell when you walk in that she’s just opened from some of the empty shelf space. But it’s filling up quickly. And with good stuff.

Carey makes it extra fun to stop by. After we visit the farmer’s market on Saturday morning, we cross the street to Carey’s place and every time she’s given us free samples of just about every new item she’s put out for sale. We’ve tried more cheeses than I can count (make sure you try the sheep’s milk Gouda and the Norwegian clove) and have sampled some wonderful tasting dips, spreads, olives (as in the kind you put in your martini), crackers, teas, tapenade, salami and even kielbasa.

She gets her stuff from all over the country, but includes local stuff like fresh bread from Sage Bakery in Santa Fe and locally grown fruits and veggies. You’ll also see the learning curve as she samples products and decides what will make it on her shelf and what gets two big thumbs down. The chipotle ketchup was a good choice. As was the Muffaletta Salad. The jury’s still out on the watermelon mustard.

The one thing going against here is she may be too hip, too sophisticated and too urban for Albuquerque. I’m not sure there are enough folks living (or even working) downtown who will appreciate what she has to offer. But those with a little taste, maybe some east coast polish or even a hint of adventure will find something to like at Downtown Gourmet.

By the time you read this, her kitchen should be up and running and she’ll offer freshly prepared entrees for carry out from the deli counter. She’s been a professional chef before, so we’re looking forward to seeing and tasting her menu. I’m both scared and excited. I know whatever she concocts will be daring if not tasty as heck. I got a free sample of the bacon bits she plans to make on the premises. I already see myself chomping them down like a bag of M&Ms. Bad for the waistline. Good for the taste buds.

In the meantime, she doles out samples of dips on crackers and tells you what cheese it goes with best or what beer will make it taste even better (even though she doesn’t sell alcohol). Plans also include exclusive chocolates and candies, made right here in Albuquerque by a friend and colleague.

She’s a transplant to Albuquerque and after two failed jobs, took the advice of her mother and set out to find a niche that would match her skills, talents and attitude. It looks like she’s found it in Downtown Gourmet.

For more information, visit Downtown Gourmet. Parts of it are under construction, but you’ll find the address and phone number.
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