Welcome Gelsinger’s Amber Road

The tagline for the Montrose Shopping Park’s brand new retail store, Amber Road, is “your destination for fine foods.” With an emphasis on the freshest extra virgin olive oils, aged balsamic vinegars, specialty meats and more, this promises to be a place that you will want to visit regularly. It is located right around the corner from the former Rocky Cola at 2016 Montrose Ave. (818-957-7065).

I had the pleasure of being one of their first customers, wandering in during Arts & Crafts weekend, and I am smitten. The store evokes a feeling of Tuscany to me with warm woods and olive green accents. Specially designed new silver urns hold all of the vinegars and oils just waiting for you to sample and get inspired. I am impressed that when I made my selection the oil was bottled and sealed fresh right before my very eyes. There’s no hanging around on a shelf for years here! My experience was further enhanced when my fresh bottle of oil was cushioned with olive colored tissue and placed in a rustic wine shaped craft bag with the Amber Road logo. Perfect for a Father’s Day gift, which is this weekend!

Now about the oils: did you know that extra virgin olive oil is like fruit juice in that it is highly perishable, and more flavorful when consumed fresh? That is why Amber Road works in close partnership with farmers in both hemispheres to deliver fresh, high quality oils all year long.  Their collection includes single varietal, fused and infused extra virgin olive oils, both domestic and foreign, from locales such as Australia, Tunisia, Italy, Spain and Chile. They also have flavor-infused Italian balsamic vinegars from Modena, aged up to 18 years, and other gourmet oils such as white truffle and roasted walnut. As a matter of fact, there are 32 different oils and vinegars on tap!     My first purchase was the Blood Orange oil which really brightens my Harvest Market salads. I’m also intrigued by cilantro & roasted onion, organic tarragon, and roasted French walnut, just to name a few. And check out all the aged dark balsamic vinegars like dark chocolate, espresso, honey ginger and lemongrass mint!

Both oils and vinegars are very reasonably priced and available in three bottle sizes with most ranging from $7 to $18. Plus the bottles are recyclable. Bring back your clean bottle and you will get $1 off your next purchase.

Now we know Gelsinger’s has long had a reputation for fine meats. In the new store you will find a freezer case with all your faves to go. I’m talking USDA choice certified Black Angus beef steaks, Wagyu beef, whole pheasants and gourmet sausages. They have also created an original line of spice rubs, seasonings and finishing salts to perfectly accommodate your meat selections. You know Dad will want these! Amber Road’s ready-to-go deli selections include an assortment of fresh made salads, sandwiches and artisanal drinks – great options for lunch on the run!

So stop in, meet general manager Kimberly Stewart and find out why Kirk Gelsinger chose the name Amber Road. Hint: it has to do with the ancient trade routes that brought prized amber to worldwide destinations.

Thanks for reading and check out the pics of my first Amber Road shopping experience on the Montrose Shopping Park Facebook page.

  Mary Dawson