Celebrate Earth Day! Join us in showing love for our city’s green spaces by helping us donate to Houston’s Give 5% campaign. Shop at either of our market locations or dine with us at MKT BAR or Arpi’s Phoenicia Deli on Saturday, April 20th to contribute to the cause. We’ll be donating 5% of our gross revenue that day to our favorite Houston-area conservancies who are collaborating to make the Houston area a better place.
It’s a well-known fact that Phoodies pursue their passion at Phoenicia, but for one charming couple, the passion has grown beyond pita, pastries and pinot. What began as a chance meeting on a simple night out with friends, later transformed this pair into starry-eyed passengers who had unknowingly sailed aboard the Phoenicia love boat!
A friend of Dea Chincuanco and Carlos Go Boncan introduced them at MKT BAR during Valentine’s Week 2012. A short time later, the two become Facebook friends and chatted regularly. They eventually started dating and ultimately kindled a blossoming romance.
With the holidays approaching and a big celebration planned with Dea’s family, Carlos was extremely busy at work and confessed to Dea he had been unable to get her a Christmas present. Dea understood and the Christmas Eve celebration proceeded as planned. After everyone had opened their gifts, Carlos escorted Dea outside to a magical backyard setting, orchestrated with the assistance of her family. Carlos got down on one knee, presented a ring and proposed to an unsuspecting Dea. He professed that she had made him the world’s happiest man and in return, he wanted to make her the happiest woman. Completely surprised and delighted, Dea accepted. On behalf of the entire YUMMY! Crew, we congratulate the happy couple on their upcoming spring wedding and wish them a lifetime of delicious happiness!
Lovers in Italy and around the world exchange chocolate-covered hazelnut Baci Perugina “kisses” for Valentine’s Day. The chocolate-hazelnut combination is rooted in the history of chocolate production in Italy, and is full of tall tales and intriguing characters. No character is bigger in that story than Gianduia (pronounced zhan-DO-yuh). We know it as the irresistible, creamy smooth, spreadable combination of chocolate and hazelnuts (think Nutella). But in the mid-1800s, Italians knew Gianduia as a marionette of the Commedia dell’Arte theater.
Signifying good humor, honesty, and the pleasures of food and drink, Gianduia the puppet was a source of huge civic pride as a peasant of the Piedmont region, specifically the town of Turin in Northern Italy. In February 1865, at a time of much political upheaval, local citizens banded together and made their favorite character, Gianduia, the King of Carnival. In the excess and indulgence of these pre-Lent celebrations, the first chocolate and hazelnut confection — the gianduiotti, appeared.
Named after the patron of Turin’s Carnival, gianduiotti (zhee-an-DWO-tee) are plump, finger-sized soft confections of chocolate, hazelnut paste, and sugar, wrapped individually. Gianduia (the chocolate-hazelnut spread) and gianduiotti (the individual candies) were revolutionary for their smooth texture, given that chocolate manufactured at the time produced a gritty product. In fact, the chocolate bar as we know it had not yet been invented, and there was no such thing as a milk chocolate bar.
Today, choices of chocolate-hazelnut combinations abound, whether it is traditional Pernigotti Gianduiotti, in Italian sweet bread Balocco Panettone, or in the love-note-filled “kisses,” the Baci Perugina. The well-known modern version of gianduia, Nutella, came about more than 75 years after its invention as a luxury sweet on the streets of Turin. But unlike the original, the one we love today comes in milk chocolate.
Find all of these delectable chocolate-hazelnut combinations freshly stocked at Phoenicia. And for a legendary combo you’ll really love, pair these treats with a bottle of wine from Phoenicia’s extensive selection.
Quickly becoming everyone’s favorite reason to shop downtown, Milly always shows amazing enthusiasm and passion for Phoenicia, and possesses unrivaled product knowledge. She can often be found hunting down a certain spice or searching the shelves for a special food that the customer can only describe by appearance or aroma. She is truly a phenomenal Phoenicia Phoodie!
As she remembers fondly, Milly started eight years ago after first asking her brother, who was already a Phoenicia employee, if she could be hired. When he failed to get her an interview, she boldly walked right up to the owner and told him, “You need to hire me!” And we are forever grateful he did.
Milly was born in Higuey, Dominican Republic, a city known for its tourism and beauty. Growing up in Higuey gave her a passion for history and culture–both representing what she loves most about Phoenicia. Milly delights in the history behind the foods we sell and even though she is a self-proclaimed non-cook, she admires how dishes are made and what they represent to the cultures that enjoy them.
Heath, a resident of One Park Place, loves Milly’s energy and passion for the job. He recently stated, “Milly is the main reason I shop here. She has an amazing, positive energy and is one of the best things about Phoenicia.”
When she isn’t bustling through the store, Milly likes to relax by reading books, riding her bike, attending shows at Miller Outdoor Theater or zipping around on her cute scooter.
Milly was recently voted the “Yummiest All-Around Employee” by her coworkers and we wholeheartedly agree. Be sure to stop by Phoenicia Downtown and see all the products that make Milly’s heart sing!
Nineteen years ago in a small Parisian bakery, our Executive Baker’s sweet inspiration was born. Fabrice Maraine was just 12 years old when he began working in a small corner bakery, helping and learning amazing techniques that appealed to his artistic eye, creative design and boundless energy level. He loves all the moving parts in a bakery and while he doesn’t paint or draw, baking lends Fabrice the important ability to create beauty. Also using carpentry as an outlet for his artistic talents, Fabrice has built amazing tables and chairs for his home.
Five years ago, Fabrice and his wife moved to Texas, where they are raising a beautiful little girl, Lucie, who loves to cook with dad. Lucie tries to convince Fabrice daily that it is her birthday so he will bake a cake for her! When her parents try to let her down gently by telling her it is not her birthday, she steadfastly insists, “Daddy I THINK it’s my birthday!”
Fabrice loves living in Houston, a big city with a small town feel, and especially likes that Houstonians are so friendly and helpful. When asked what he likes best about Phoenicia, there was no hesitation. The music. He loves the eclectic mix of music and we believe to some extent it inspires him.
Come be inspired by Fabrice’s magical creations at Phoenicia Downtown, his favorite corner of the world.
On Thursday, November 10, downtown business leaders joined the Tcholoakian family in making the launch of the new Phoenicia Specialty Foods Downtown (1001 Austin Street, Houston 77010). Phoenicia has expanded, now offering foodies two locations-the original in West Houston and the Downtown venue.
Located on the ground level of One Park Place luxury high-rise across from Discovery Green, the new Phoenicia Specialty Foods Downtown is a 28,000 square foot, state-of-the-art market. In addition, the downtown location features an in-house wine and beer bar called MKT Bar.
YUMMY! Photo (from left to right):
Ann-Marie Tcholakian, co-owner of Phoenicia Specialty Foods, Raffi Tcholakian, co-owner of Phoenicia Specialty Foods, Arpi Tcholakian, co-founder of Phoenicia Specialty Foods, Zohrab “Bob” Tcholakian, co-founder of Phoenicia Specialty Foods, Marvy Finger, President and CEO of the Finger Companies, Councilman James Rodriguez (and his son, Jake), Bob Eury, Executive Director of The Houston Downtown Management District, and Haig Tcholakian, co-owner of Phoenicia Specialty Foods
Construction of Phoenicia Specialty Foods Downtown has been progressing fabulously and our newest YUMMY location is scheduled to open in late October 2011. We’re putting the finishing touches on the interior construction now, and throughout September, we’ll be fine-tuning the market and stocking the shelves with Phoenicia’s quality international products.
Located across from Discovery Green in the One Park Place luxury high-rise (1001 Austin Street), Phoenicia will satisfy our downtown neighbors with 26,000 square feet of foodie delights. In addition to offering more than 10,000+ products from more than 50 countries, we will offer delicious prepared meals, a sandwich station, salad bar and a bakery with desserts and breads prepared daily by European and Mediterranean chefs. The newest Phoenicia will also feature the MKT BAR, an in-house coffee, wine and beer bar that will surely be a downtown gathering spot.
Phoenicia Downtown is a unique destination for downtown Houstonians, foodies and visitors alike. We look forward to welcoming you to our new home.
YUMMY! Holiday Decorating Class Reservation Form
Kids YUMMY! Food Classes Reservation Form
Kids YUMMY! Summer Cooking Classes Reservation Form
