Anybody checked out the NEW Giant at Tivoli theater in Columbia Heights? It's new, clean, well-lit, did I mention new and clean They actually stock things like creme freche and more than 3 kinds of smoked meats, a great selection of Asian and Mexican ingredients, and a respectable amount of organic/all natural foods. They have fresh-looking fruits, veggies, and seafood and it is HUGE. The reason it may be nice so far is that it is surrounded by construction and a little hard to see from the street, but it's worth the search because the people who work there are nice.
Now, the deli needs help -- who is buying Watergate Salad in bulk, if at all? Does anyone remember this? If you grew up on Cool-Whip, you do.
But it's a start, and a major improvement over the "crack Giant" at 9th and P where I am usually forced to go after work for "a few things." That place is OK inside and not too bad if you don't need anything remotely gourmet and you have half and hour or more to spend in line, but I usually leave pretty steamed.