Fort Greene Family Opens Prepared Foods Market 'Marius & Co.'

Marius & Co., inspired by the diverse cultural influences of the founders, features menu conceived and prepared by local chefs James Dale and Angie Peccini

Marius & Co, a new neighborhood takeout market selling prepared foods and specialty items located at 154 Carlton Avenue, officially opened its doors to the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill community.
The store was founded by long-time Fort Greene residents Mitro and Kimberly Valsamis, and James Dale, a food and beverage entrepreneur. Along with chef Angie Peccini, Dale also serves as the chef for the new neighborhood spot.

The market is named in honor and inspired by Mitro's late father Marius Valsamis. Marius immigrated from Greece and moved his family to Fort Greene in the late 1960s, an area he believed would one day be one of the most desirable neighborhoods in all of New York City.

"My father Marius was what we call a Renaissance man. He was a doctor, a professor, a lover of music and the arts, a fencer, a fly fisherman and a race-car driver," said Mitro. "Above all, he loved family and food. His parents lived with us, and we all ate great meals together prepared by my mom and grandmother. Meals of Greek, French, Italian and Asian food were all on our family menu."

No surprise, the store's overall menu reflects the diverse cultural influences of the founders. The market specializes in prepared foods conceived by Dale, originally from New Zealand, and Peccini, who previously worked on multiple Food Network programs including a role as on-air chef for Martha Stewart. Specialty items on the menu include Captain Smolders smoked salmon and kedgeree, an Indian dish of curry, rice and fish, in addition to such comfort foods as rotisserie chicken, and macaroni and cheese.

From 2010 until this past summer, Mitro and his wife, Kimberly, owned and ran Don Pedro, a restaurant and popular live-music venue located in Bushwick. Prior to that, Kimberly helped to open the original Moe's on Lafayette and South Portland in Fort Greene in 2001. At Marius & Co., Kimberly is the curator of the specialty cheese and charcuterie offered at the shop.

"Our desire with Marius & Co. is to prepare delicious food from fresh, G.M.O.-free ingredients and bring them to you at a great value," said Mitro. "We want you to eat food that represents what my father held dear: Food of uncompromising quality made with love and family in mind."