At the door of the “Ex Libris Gourmet”, a simple blackboard, like those from a bygone era, announces the delicacies that arrive every day, because the shop “works with local producers and lots of fresh produce”, Tiago Centeno, one of the owners and mentor of the project, explained.
Inside, you can see the original clay-brick vaulted ceiling following remodelling of the former establishment, creating an ambience which is s cross between the contemporary and the traditional.
On the shelves, bottles of organic wine are lined up, along with some less than usual tinned goods such as sardine roe, which Sandra calls “Portuguese Caviar”, and the prize-winning fleur de sel from the Tavira salt-pans, or tuna muxama from Vila Real de Santo António.
Alongside, aromatic herbs, teas blended while you wait, artisanal sausages, sweets with the appearance and flavours to remind you of your childhood. With a contemporary touch, there are flavours from other regions in Portugal as well as from neighbouring Spain, “provided they guarantee quality and bring some added value such as the original design of the packaging” which is much appreciated by resident customers and tourists.
The shop has been running for about a year and is located in the Rua 5 de Outubro, just a few metres from Tavira’s charismatic Roman Bridge; the shop’s opening hours are longer than normal, and it does not close at lunch times, also on Saturdays.
Alongside normal business, at the Ex Libris Gourmet you can also try out such things as delicious almond biscuits, accompanied by a perfumed tea.
The products on sale include hampers which make perfect individual presents for a special occasion, but can also be supplied to companies, for their clients or for parties, Sandra Duarte said.
Creating an on-line catalogue “to whet people’s appetites” and even positioning the delicatessen in “charming” hotels are some of the growth areas in this concept, which grew out of the will and commitment of its owners, but also had support from the Institute of Employment and Professional Training.
