The Providores Market, Ralph Street, Alexandria

The Providores Market, Ralph Street, Alexandria
Saturday 17 December, 2005

The Providores Market houses four offerings: Simon Johnson, Matt Brown's greens, Joto Fresh Fish and Bite. It's a large open space with plenty of street parking. On entering we were greeted by Simon Johnson himself.

We had a specific task here to enjoy a coffee (Allpress - delicious) and purchase some vegetables. We ordered coffees and sat down in Bite. It has floor to ceiling glass windows and no air-conditioning. With the sun streaming in it was a little hot box. We drank our coffees and walked back into Matt Brown's greens.

The staff do not wear uniforms here, so it is near impossible to know who to ask for assistance. One gentleman struck up a conversation in the potato section and it took us a moment to realise that he was a staff member. He definitely knew what he was talking about but it was little disconcerting.

There's a decent cheese room and you can find some bargains here, so it's worth a visit. The signage out the front is tacky but if it is an overcast day I'll definitely go back and have a meal in Bite.

The Providores Market - 24a Ralph St, Alexandria - (02) 82448288

http://www.simonjohnson.com.au