|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Are you longing for the cuisine of Europe, but you don't have a passport or the means to travel? When you're in the mood for amazing European cuisine, you don't have to book a flight to Berlin, as all you have to do is head over to Proviant European Market and Deli, located in Auburn, CA. As with all of reviews that I publish, I have no affiliation with the restaurant reviewed, and there is no monetary gain on my part, as I am simply a person who likes to eat, and I love to write-up, and publish my dining experiences.
Photo: It's a little past the 10 in the morning opening time, Friday, August 18, 2023, and I've arrived at Proviant European Market and Deli to enjoy an amazing bowl of borscht.
Photo: As you drive along Auburn-Folsom Blvd., the deli has a sign in place to point you into the small strip mall. There is lots of easy and free parking. As the sign suggests... yes, there are deer on the outskirts of Auburn.
Photo: As you enter, you'll notice the service counter, the bread display case, and the merchandise shelves, along with several coolers loaded with meats, cheeses and beverages. The decor is simple, as it's mostly a market with a small deli case. Restaurant seating is simply a few communal picnic tables on the open patio, through the back doors. I can't really describe Proviant as a restaurant, as it mostly a market with a small deli. There are a couple of shopping baskets, along with three small grocery carts for your shopping convenience.
Photo: If it's European, you'll find it in the market, as the market side of the operation stocks the most extensive selection of European groceries available in Placer Country.
Photo: Olives, pickles, condiments, jams and everything you can think of that originates in Europe... you'll find your favorites sealed in a jar is on the shelves.
Photo: The market carries an extensive selection of Lifeberry, known as "The First Puree Juices in Poland" and the owner of the market/deli said she's acquainted with the pretty lady on the poster. The poster is posted on the wall as you enter the market.
Photo: The market features several chilled cases with European meat, sausage, dairy products, soft drinks and more. This is one small section of the large array of European sausages that you can choose from.
Photo: Just a sample of the wide array of European cheese in one of the chilled deli cases. The market showcases cheese that you can't find anywhere else in the greater Sacramento area.
Photo: The market offers a great selection of packaged and bottled fish, including "Maties Herring in Oil," imported from Norway. The photo only shows a small slice of what the market offers.
Photo: Here it is... the deli counter. It's very compact, but it has all of the goodies, including German potato salad and my choice for today's lunch... borscht. Borscht is displayed in the upper left, easy to recognize, thanks to the beet-red color of the delicious soup.
Photo: Tanya, the super friendly owner and operator of the market/deli prepares my order of borscht and bread for me to take home. Sadly, the market/deli doesn't include dining facilities - thanks to the landlord - but there are a few tables on the outside patio where communal dining would be possible. The market/deli doesn't offer any bowls, utensils or other dining amenities, as it's simply "to-go," deli. When you arrive to dine, come for the delicious food, fine European grocery products, along with the amazing friendly service, but be prepared to enjoy a "to-go" dining experience.
Photo: Meet Tanya V., the owner of this amazing market and deli, holding a litre of borscht. How many places in Placer County serve borscht? Tanya treated my like a "rock star" and offered courteous, efficient and friendly service. If you love great European food, offered with some of the friendliest service in Auburn, head over to Proviant European Market and Deli.
Photo: I'm a happy guy, as I'm taking home a liter of borscht and a loaf of "German Farm Bread" to enjoy. Sadly, the deli really doesn't offer in-house dining, and has no facilities to slice the bread or offer soup in bowls. Now worries, as I simply broke my "self-made mold" and brought this amazing food home and enjoyed "to-go" dining.
Photo: "German Farm Bread," along with an order of borscht, ready to go. Before I left, my gracious hostess, Tanya, " sealed and wrapped the soup so it wouldn't leak if it spilled, on the 20-mile trip back to Roseville.
Photo: I cut into the loaf of "German Farm Bread" to enjoy the thick, hearty, dense texture of the bread. It's crusty on the outside, lightly dusted with flour, dense and hearty inside, with just a touch of rye. The pieces I cut off from the loaf are ready to be toasted before enjoying with the bowl of borscht.
Photo: I'm a happy guy, as I'm outside on the patio with a bowl of the best borscht in Placer County, along with a helping of baked "German Farm Bread."
Photo: I took home a liter of "Borscht" along with a loaf of "German Farm Bread," which is a popular accompaniment to Ukrainian style borscht. Borscht can be enjoyed either hot or cold, and since it was a warm day today, I went with the cold version, enhanced by a dollop of sour cream and a few parsley flakes. I only enjoyed half a liter, as I saved the rest to enjoy for breakfast tomorrow. The soup started out with a hearty, red base, most likely made from pork stock, and achieved it's hearty, red color thanks the juilenned beetroots, which made up the bulk of the soup. Speaking of juilenned... can you say carrots? I noted the borscht included a number of European broad beans, which add authentic flavor to the soup. The soup was flavored with a pork rib bone, with lots of meat attached. Oh my! I debated whether to bring home a loaf of German farm bread or dark rye, and the farm bread won out. I cut the end off the loaf, cut it into quarters and baked it for about 20 minutes to achieve the signature crispiness. The loaf of "German Farm Break" I purchased at Proviant was simply delicious, as it was hearty, dense and crusty, with just a touch of rye. After toasting it, I didn't bother to butter it, as it made for the perfect dipping companion with my bowl of borscht. The bowl of borscht, along with the bread made for a beyond-delicious lunch. The soup was rich, full of flavor, hearty, and had just the right amount of sweet and sour that great soup is noted for. The hearty bread made for a perfect side, and the bowl of soup, with the bread, made for a delicious and filling lunch. Proviant European Market and Deli has you covered when you're in the mood for amazing European cuisine! Borscht is not a common dish in Placer County, and is definitely a "niche" dish known mostly to those who love and are familiar with eastern European cuisine. The borscht served at Proviant European Market and Deli is simply delicious, so if you're in the mood to take a trip to eastern Europe without leaving Auburn, pay them a visit. The small deli features the cuisine of Europe, and the market stocks European products that you can't find anywhere else in Placer County. Are you in the mood for Di Buon Gusto Whole Greek black olives? Check. Do you like Finlandia Lapi Premium Deli cheese? Gotcha. How about Schmalz Pork Kielbasy? Yes! You get the idea, that if it's European, you'll find it at Proviant European Market and Deli, located in Auburn, CA. Proviant Euopean Market and Deli Copyright(c) 2023 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. We've been on the web since December 22, 2002.
|
