First we have the . Now we will soon get to know the cousins (who grew up like brothers) of Pure Mountain.
There's a sign up on the window at 11 North Broadway promising something savory and special coming to Tarrytown: an "olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting emporium."
“We wanted to bring the coolest buying experience to food,” said co-owner Zak Cassady-Dorion of Rhinebeck. He's partnered with his cousin, Charlie Ruehr of Manhattan, to open a second branch of their new Rhinebeck-based business here.
At first I thought this meant one type of olive oil and one balsamic and some bread to soak them in, which is...really specific. But there's more. These guys are offering a wide range of olive oils and vinegars, and even sea salts, picked from the finest the world has to offer in flavors that range from traditional to daring.
The balsamic hails from Modena, Italy, aged 18 years and “really thick” said Cassady-Dorion. You can get the basic or try flavors like fig, chocolate, cinnamon peach.
If you've been storing your olive oil for ages, don't. Olive oils are best when consumed as soon as possible after pressing, said Cassady-Dorion, and definitely within 12 to 18 months. The shop will offer varieties from six to seven sources from Spain, Italy, California, and even the Southern hemisphere. Oils go from extra virgin to blood orange and garlic mushroom.
Finally, rounding out the offerings is sea salt. The salt comes in flavors from French citrus fennel to smoke bacon chipotle from Hawaii, Florida, and beyond.
Tasters will get to sample everything in the store all day long, every day. “Where do you get to do that?” Cassady-Dorion asked. Fresh bakery bread will be on hand daily for dipping, as well as produce. (Since, he said, sea salt is best tried on fresh tomatoes). There will also be a ton of recipes available, customized to their products.
Of course this all makes for good gift-giving, especially if you're like me and beginning to find the wine bottle/flowers option a bit overdone. They will make customized gift baskets and are hoping to get in good with local corporatoins and build up the the online business.
This all started only a few months ago, when the cousins opened their first storefront together in Rhinebeck. But Cassady-Dorion said they both come from food-oriented families. Cassady-Dorion, 32, had a business background overseas in his 20s when he travelled extensively. More recently, he was doing consulting work for technology companies in San Francisco when he happened upon a similar store and thought, “these shops are awesome.”
The cousins choose Tarrytown for obvious reasons: “We were looking for a warm, friendly community, a town that cares a lot about food. Not so big that you get lost in the mix. A walking street," said Cassady-Dorion. He said when they visited about five or six times and walked the streets, they noticed everyone had a smile on their face.
The people will certainly be smiling at their grand opening, scheduled for Saturday, August 4.
For more info check out puremountainoliveoil.com. Tarrytown store hours Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Tuesday: Closed; Friday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. 808.285.1685.
