Dobbs Ferry's 'Spice Revolution' Brings the Exotic to Your Kitchen

In Damascus, Marrakech or New Delhi you might expect to come across a hidden spice shop—nearly impossible to find if not for its reputation and the faint, yet intriguing, aroma you perceive as you pass by…but in Dobbs Ferry?

Spice Revolution is so new to the village that owner Lindsay Fastiggi doesn’t yet have a permit for a sign outside her store on Cedar Street—but that hasn’t stopped her from already garnering a loyal following of locals looking to spice up their meals or enjoy exotic treats.

“I’ve always been a foodie,” said Fastiggi, whose Italian-American family has lived in Dobbs Ferry for three generations. “But I was always frustrated not to find the spices I needed at the local supermarkets.”

An entrepreneur since she was a teenager—back then she sold specialty soaps and chocolates—Fastiggi became a gourmet chocolate connoisseur while leading chocolate tours around Manhattan for a company called Sweetwalks.

Spice Revolution combines its owner’s passions for decadent treats and unpronounceable spice and herb blends. Forget generic 'curry powder'—this shop offers "thai red" curry powder, sweet curry and a house blend that's between the two variations.

“Especially in this economy, I love the idea of giving people the opportunity to indulge themselves with bold and exciting flavors right in their own kitchens,” Fastiggi said.

She’s already sold out of some hard-to-find spices like black garlic which, she said, “tastes sweet at first like a raisin and then punches you in the face with its garlic-y taste. Over good bread with a little honey, it’s fantastic.”

Cardamom is also popular. “It’s both sweet and savory,” Fastiggi said. “It’s great to add to add to vegetarian recipes to add depth and richness.”

Though she caters to the palates of vegetarians and vegans, Fastiggi herself is a proud carnivore.

“I love bacon chocolate bars,” she said. “I’m a huge bacon advocate; I agree with Europeans who use bacon fat in everything. It adds such richness.”

Not ready for pig-infused desserts?

How about balsamic or whisky truffles? 

“That’s one of my favorites,” Fastiggi said. The company from which she buys the truffles—Marie Belle, of NYC—uses Macallan Whisky (another of Fastiggi’s not-so-secret pleasures.)

Spice Revolution also offers freshly-brewed hot chocolate (flavors now are Dark Aztec (60% cocoa) and Milk Chocolate Hazelnut.)

“I make the hot chocolate European-style,” Fastiggi said. She combines nothing but hot frothed water and pure, shaved chocolate. (You won’t find any Nestle Quik or Swiss Miss in this shop…)

“I hate to say European-style hot chocolate,” Fastiggi added quickly. “People get scared. It’s not fancy—just delicious. It implies cream without using any milk or cream.”

With Thanksgiving coming up next month, Fastiggi said one spice to add to your usual arsenal is Herbes de Provence. “I use it on a compound butter for the turkey—it's fabulous for poultry.” she said. “You can also add it to the base of your stuffing mix, making it flavorful and savory but not aggressive.”

Though she now lives a little south of Dobbs Ferry in the Bronx, Fastiggi still has Sunday pasta dinner with her big Italian family in the village. “When you’re little, you think, ‘I want to cook like Grandma,’” she said. “I’m so happy to have this shop right here in Dobbs Ferry. Sharing a home-cooked meal with your family is an amazing thing."

Spice Revolution is located at 34 Cedar Street in Dobbs Ferry. Lindsay Fastiggi plans to offer demonstrations and samples of her spices used in various dishes once she receives all the right permits. 

See "Spice Revolution's" website here.