Posted By: Turnbull
Favorite food market? - 05/15/11 06:10 PM
Let's discuss our favorite food markets. I'll start:
My fave is Trader Joe's. All the food and drink they sell under their own or near-exclusive brands are unbeatable values. Coffee, olive oil, mustard, jams--and especially, wines. Their TJ Coastal, Trellis, Napa River and Black Mountain California wines are unequaled bargains (but skip Two Buck Chuck). Their Tuscan, Piemonte and Rioja wines are stupendous values. Always courteous service.
Cost Plus World Market is a chain that sells a bizarre combination of nonperishable foods, furniture, rugs--and wine and beer. Their house brand wines and near-exclusives are competitive with TJ in value. They also sell wonderful Italian sodas, some of them low-calorie.
Costco always has low prices on high-quality merchandise. Their whole bean coffees are unbeatable. They're the largest wine retailer in the country, and their occasional specials are worth stocking up on. But they are probably most famous for their meats. Their USDA Choice cuts are head-and-shoulders above the supermarkets' fare. And, our Costco here always has two or three USDA Prime steak cuts. Believe me, those Primes are well worth the premium--incredibly flavorful.
Your faves?
My fave is Trader Joe's. All the food and drink they sell under their own or near-exclusive brands are unbeatable values. Coffee, olive oil, mustard, jams--and especially, wines. Their TJ Coastal, Trellis, Napa River and Black Mountain California wines are unequaled bargains (but skip Two Buck Chuck). Their Tuscan, Piemonte and Rioja wines are stupendous values. Always courteous service.
Cost Plus World Market is a chain that sells a bizarre combination of nonperishable foods, furniture, rugs--and wine and beer. Their house brand wines and near-exclusives are competitive with TJ in value. They also sell wonderful Italian sodas, some of them low-calorie.
Costco always has low prices on high-quality merchandise. Their whole bean coffees are unbeatable. They're the largest wine retailer in the country, and their occasional specials are worth stocking up on. But they are probably most famous for their meats. Their USDA Choice cuts are head-and-shoulders above the supermarkets' fare. And, our Costco here always has two or three USDA Prime steak cuts. Believe me, those Primes are well worth the premium--incredibly flavorful.
Your faves?