jjl

I live very close to the Balducci's on Old Georgetown, so it is convenient for items forgotten at the last minute or when I just need 1 thing. But I too have had issues with their employees. I was ordering something from the bakery/pastry, and there was no one else around. Not one single person behind the counter made eye contact with me or asked me if I needed help until I asked for help. I couldn't believe it. But, on the other hand, yesterday I need artichokes, and wanted to get them the day I was cooking them, so I went to Balducci's. There weren't any out; I asked the person at the special orders desk, and she actually went in the back to check--a shipment had come in that day and that they hadn't put them out yet. But the help there can be hit or miss; and unlike Giant or WF, most of the time if you ask someone where something is they don't know if it is outside of their assigned department.

There's a Bob's in downtown Bethesda around the corner from the Starbucks on Wisconsin (I think it's Bethesda Ave.) Is this the same as the Bob's Famous on 3rd and Mass? Even if not, they are good. For those of you looking for the independent ice cream stores, try Thomas Sweet in Georgetown as well as Dolcezzo (the gelato place in Georgetown) and Giffords, also in Bethesda next to Mon Ami. And as other people of posted The Dreamery, or whatever it is called now, is fabulous! I agree with the post that Cold Stone Creamery is way too sugary--I've never had a flavor or a speciality mix-in there that I have liked.

I used to shop at Whole Foods regularly, and I go to the one in Rockville. I have to say that I think they're going downhill as well. The meat now carries their own label, so it is unclear if its Bell and Evans or Coleman or something else. I will definitely have to check out MOM's more regularly. I cannot say enough good things about the fish/shellfish at Black Salt and the prices are very reasonable for the quality. This Xmas Eve, we hosted and did the 7 fishes (well, for us, it was more 5). We bought 2 lbs. shrimp for shrimp cocktail; cocktail sauce; 1 lb jumbo lump crabmeat; 1 whole rockfish (3 to 4 lbs); 2 lbs. of rockfish file; 4 lbs. mussels; and I believe 2 lbs of clams (may have been more). $150! This is how much my father-in-law paid in the Bronx in the 70's! Not to mention that all of this fed our guests on Xmas Eve, but me and my husband for 2 weeks running! As for produce: we participated in our first winter Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription this winter, and if you like greens I highly recommend it. We couldn't believe the quality of the stuff we were getting during the winter. Now I can't buy greens at any store--only from our farmer or from another farmer at the Farmer's Markets.

I almost always go to the Arlington FM but was thinking about trying the Falls Church FM one Saturday, mainly to try the bakery items by Kendall. Does anyone know how the produce compares at Falls Church FM vs. Arlington? And has anyone tried the bakery items by Kendall, and if so what did you think?

Maybe the best way is for people to specify what regions, or vintages and regions they are interested in and then see what the retailers have available. I would possibly be interested in Loire Valley wines.

NV Autares produced by Mercouri Estate , S.A. Korakochori Ilias, Greece; a dry red table wine of Mourvedre & Augustiatis grapes--went very well with a North African influenced dinner. Very nice for the price ($19).

We will probably be there later in the day (me, spouse and 3 year old). Will bring wine or beer as well as some sort of non-alcoholic drink. Will bring either smoked baked beans or cole slaw.

I'm in for 1 bottle.

Question: what brands of semisweet or bittersweet chocolate do you use for chocolate baked goods, mousses, and icings? And where do you buy it? I tend to buy Weiss from La Cuisine, or Callebaut Chocolate from Whole Foods.

I may be interested in the Hartenburg Shiraz depending on price, and probably only 1 bottle, since I haven't tasted it. Definitely interested in the Behrens and Hitchcock Cab. Just checked Macarthur's website (Addy Bassin's) and they don't seem to carry any Behrens and Hithcock.

I'm new to the group, so only met a few of you at the Circle Bistro HH this past Fri. Anyway, my SO and I will be at Citronelle Lounge tonight to try the Lobster Pea Bisque--they still have it on the menu. Will be there around 6:15 if anyone is interested.

I think it tastes like chocolate cheesecake; it is definitely sweet. Jennifer L

For dinner tonight, paella (made for the 1st time)--salt cod, raisins, and spincach. Steamed asparagus w/citrus vinaigrette chocolate goat cheese (yum--if you haven't tried you really should) Jennifer L.

Thank you so much for asking this question. I think this is a fabulous idea, especially for when stores are offering futures for the more expensive wines--if we can get 3 or 4 people to go in on a case then we end up with 2 to 4 wines each (some cases are actually only 6 bottles for the more rare offerings). I don't know how we should go about organizing this but I'd be willing to help. Jennifer L.

Thank you everyone who responded, and thanks for the list of the french wines. They had not yet posted the list of wines for the tasting the last time I had checked the website. I had found out about this at MacArthur beverages, so was curious. Jennifer