33 replies to this topic

[baranoouji]

Well, we moved to Arlington this week and the cupboard is bare.

Okay, technically the cupboard isn't empty. It has risotto, clam sauce, dry spaghetti, and a lot of anchovies. The freezer will have duck legs confit from D'Artagnan (a housewarming present) and currently has a bottle of strawberry wine.

Yet man cannot live on duck legs and strawberry wine forever. (We'll try, though.)So this means shopping. I can walk to a Giant's, I can walk to a Safeway, but I want the down-low from local denizens: are there good fishmongers, butchers, ethnic markets, farmer's markets?

-Most Cordially,
E.

PS. Filling the pantry is always another challenge. I tend to be a better cook when restricted -- I like to improvise ingredients from the cupboard. Buying ingredients makes my head hurt!

[Chef Shogun]

Well, there's the Harris Teeter in Pentagon Row, Slavins fish market on S. Gleebe road near 395, and Cheesetique on Mt. Vernon road in Alexandria. Arrow Wine is supposed to have good stuff, but I'm not entirely sure where it is. Other than that, I'll be watching this thread, too!

Welcome to the area!

[fimbul]

Well, we moved to Arlington this week and the cupboard is bare.

Okay, technically the cupboard isn't empty. It has risotto, clam sauce, dry spaghetti, and a lot of anchovies. The freezer will have duck legs confit from D'Artagnan (a housewarming present) and currently has a bottle of strawberry wine.

Yet man cannot live on duck legs and strawberry wine forever. (We'll try, though.)So this means shopping. I can walk to a Giant's, I can walk to a Safeway, but I want the down-low from local denizens: are there good fishmongers, butchers, ethnic markets, farmer's markets?

-Most Cordially,
E.

PS. Filling the pantry is always another challenge. I tend to be a better cook when restricted -- I like to improvise ingredients from the cupboard. Buying ingredients makes my head hurt!

There's a Harris Teeter up at Glebe and Randolph (I think?), just before Wilson. If you go up Wilson, there's a Farmer's Market Saturdays near Clarendon Metro, and, further up, a Whole Foods with a decent, Whole Foody butcher. If, from Columbia Pike you turn left on Glebe and go down to where it divides into North-South and East-West Glebes, right near 395 exit, you'll see M. Slavins, a dandy fishmonger on the Alexandria-Arlington border.

Welcome to Glebeland.

edit: If you dunno Harris-Teeter btw (many MDers don't, I know), the reason we Virginians are so excited by it is that it's a run-of-the-mill grocery store with aspirations. It's just a touch better than your average Safeway, Giant, or what-have-you.

Edited by fimbul, 19 January 2005 - 10:56 AM.

[baranoouji]

Well, there's the Harris Teeter in Pentagon Row, Slavins fish market on S. Gleebe road near 395, and Cheesetique on Mt. Vernon road in Alexandria.  Arrow Wine is supposed to have good stuff, but I'm not entirely sure where it is.  Other than that, I'll be watching this thread, too!

Welcome to the area!

Thanks a bunch for the tips. We live right by the Columbia Pike library, so we've seen the Harris Teeter. Hopefully, I'll get to check out the wine and cheese places at some point! :mmmm wineandcheese:

[baranoouji]

There's a Harris Teeter up at Glebe and Randolph (I think?), just before Wilson.  If you go up Wilson, there's a Farmer's Market Saturdays near Clarendon Metro, and, further up, a Whole Foods with a decent, Whole Foody butcher.  If, from Columbia Pike you turn left on Glebe and go down to where it divides into North-South and East-West Glebes, right near 395 exit, you'll see M. Slavins, a dandy fishmonger on the Alexandria-Arlington border.

Welcome to Glebeland.

edit: If you dunno Harris-Teeter btw (many MDers don't, I know), the reason we Virginians are so excited by it is that it's a run-of-the-mill grocery store with aspirations.  It's just a touch better than your average Safeway, Giant, or what-have-you.

Thanks for the tips! Is the farmer's market year-round?

As far as the whole hypermarket trends: I admit to being a big fan of Super H and Wegman's. (Though Weggies is admittedly quite a drive from MD.)

[babka]

the obvious, overplayed, cheesy, yet cheap option would be Trader Joe's: I head out there once every couple of months to stock up on dried goods, frozen dumplings, niman ranch bacon bacon, granola, and wine which most of our cohorts here would scorn.

Edited by babka, 19 January 2005 - 11:23 AM.

[fimbul]

Thanks for the tips! Is the farmer's market year-round?

As far as the whole hypermarket trends: I admit to being a big fan of Super H and Wegman's. (Though Weggies is admittedly quite a drive from MD.)

The one I was thinking of seems to be a summer-only thing, but this one seems to go year-round. I work in Arlington rather than live in it, so I'm usually at the Del Ray farmer's market in the summer, and eating supermarket root vegetables in the winter. ...Come to think of it, I should try to go to the Arlingtton market more often. Er, at all.

As for hypermarkets, Harris Teeter can't compete with Super H, but then, nothing can. The only supermarket chain I know of whose patrons can turn milling about apparently lost and aimless into an organized agressive action that would impress Napolean. My shopping-fu is weak, weak, weak.

[baranoouji]

the obvious, overplayed, cheesy, yet cheap option would be Trader Joe's:  I head out there once every couple of months to stock up on dried goods, frozen dumplings, niman ranch bacon bacon, granola, and wine which most of our cohorts here would scorn.

I confess to liking their snacky, prepared foods and wines. They are good for private snacking and for when I am throwing a super-drunk party and have eaten through the first group of hors d'oeuvres.

[baranoouji]

As for hypermarkets, Harris Teeter can't compete with Super H, but then, nothing can.  The only supermarket chain I know of whose patrons can turn milling about apparently lost and aimless into an organized agressive action that would impress Napolean.  My shopping-fu is weak, weak, weak.

Grasshopper, when you can put this pebble in your shopping cart (and not have a horde of Asian mothers yelling at you), then you are ready for Super-H.

[Tweaked]

Head down the 395 to the Landmark Mall exit, swing around the off ramp, past Landmark Mall, go about 3 traffic lights, and turn right onto S. Pickett Street, look for the Home Depot shopping center on the left (after a couple car dealerships) and check out Mediterrean Bakery and Cafe...lots of imported goods. Huge selection of olive oils, vinegars, mediterrean cheeses, olives, house baked pita, great hummus, sweets, sausages, come hungry and have lunch.

[baranoouji]

Head down the 395 to the Landmark Mall exit, swing around the off ramp, past  Landmark Mall, go about 3 traffic lights, and turn right onto S. Pickett Street, look for the Home Depot shopping center on the left (after a couple car dealerships) and check out Mediterrean Bakery and Cafe...lots of imported goods.  Huge selection of olive oils, vinegars, mediterrean cheeses, olives, house baked pita, great hummus, sweets, sausages, come hungry and have lunch.

Oooh, that sounds great. I know there's also a Middle-Eastern bakery by Duangrat's/Rabieng -- it's across the street by Neisha Thai. But I haven't tried it yet -- we always get waylaid by Duangrat's desserts.

[MelGold]

Han Ha Reum on the corner of Gallows Rd and Lee Hwy just past Falls Church has an amazing assortment of Asian groceries, fresh/unique produce as well as fresh fish and seafood - and it's extremely affordable! Best to go during the evening on a weeknight though, you can spend a day in the check out line on the weekends!

[fimbul]

Also, in the same complex as Bangkok 54 on Columbia Pike (near Walter Reed), there's an Asian grocery called, um, Bangkok 54. I only stopped in there for a minute this weekend, but was impressed. Hell, I found palm sugar. That's cool, right?

[baranoouji]

Han Ha Reum on the corner of Gallows Rd and Lee Hwy just past Falls Church has an amazing assortment of Asian groceries, fresh/unique produce as well as fresh fish and seafood - and it's extremely affordable!  Best to go during the evening on a weeknight though, you can spend a day in the check out line on the weekends!

Thanks. I'll have to try somewhere else besides Lotte and Super H. Though I love them with a great deal of irrational affection!

[baranoouji]

Also, in the same complex as Bangkok 54 on Columbia Pike (near Walter Reed), there's an Asian grocery called, um, Bangkok 54.  I only stopped in there for a minute this weekend, but was impressed.  Hell, I found palm sugar.  That's cool, right?

Yes, palm sugar is very cool. I hate to say it, but the reason that I think Thai salads are so great is probably due to that stuff. (I must have been a hummingbird in a past life.)

Actually, the neat this is that I can walk from my apartment to Bangkok 54 -- my apartment is in the complex up Walter Reed Ave. I kid you not! I saw some very favorable reviews so we will have to screw up our courage and trudge in the bone-chilling cold.

I may lose some toes, but I do like me some curry.

[fimbul]

Hanh-ah-Reum is the Aitch in Supah Aitch Mart. The same craziness, in a smaller space. If I feel inferior in Super H, I usually wind up a trip to Hanh-ah-Reum (aka "Trapmart" in my house and among my friends) clutching my squab (they sell squab!) feverishly and gibbering. Never, ever go there late in the day on a weekend. Utter. fucking. bedlam.

Go to Bangkok 54. Very yummy pork belly. Good for hangovers.

[MicBacchus]

Thanks for the tips! Is the farmer's market year-round?

As far as the whole hypermarket trends: I admit to being a big fan of Super H and Wegman's. (Though Weggies is admittedly quite a drive from MD.)

The one I was thinking of seems to be a summer-only thing, but this one seems to go year-round. I work in Arlington rather than live in it, so I'm usually at the Del Ray farmer's market in the summer, and eating supermarket root vegetables in the winter. ...Come to think of it, I should try to go to the Arlingtton market more often. Er, at all.

As for hypermarkets, Harris Teeter can't compete with Super H, but then, nothing can. The only supermarket chain I know of whose patrons can turn milling about apparently lost and aimless into an organized agressive action that would impress Napolean. My shopping-fu is weak, weak, weak.

[MicBacchus]

Can you tell me where the Farmer's Market is in DelRay & its hours/days?

How does it compare to Arlington & Dupont?

Sorry about the above post

Edited by MicBacchus, 19 January 2005 - 02:41 PM.

[baranoouji]

Hanh-ah-Reum is the Aitch in Supah Aitch Mart.  The same craziness, in a smaller space.  If I feel inferior in Super H, I usually wind up a trip to Hanh-ah-Reum (aka "Trapmart" in my house and among my friends) clutching my squab (they sell squab!) feverishly and gibbering.  Never, ever go there late in the day on a weekend.  Utter.  fucking.  bedlam.

Go to Bangkok 54.  Very yummy pork belly.  Good for hangovers.

Squab's probably the only thing that would fit in my fridge. I wish I was kidding, but I am not.

[fimbul]

Can you tell me where the Farmer's Market is in DelRay & its hours/days?

How does it compare to Arlington & Dupont?

Sorry about the above post 

It's a small affair, but it's great good fun. You'll never find exotic veggies or whole sides of venison or the like, but greens, peppers, chiles, mushrooms, tomatoes, apples etc. are abundant and fresh. It runs Spring through Autumn on Saturday mornings, 8-12.

Er. Give this a looksee.

[DCMark]

Don't forget the Euro-Latino Grocery for all your Portugese food needs, including fresh sardines and the dried salt cod. 2700 Pershing Dr. (at Washington Blvd).

Euro-Latino

[zoramargolis]

Check out the Latin market on Wilson Blvd. across from Whole Foods. The meat counter has great chorizo, and the store has a broad selection of Mexican, Central American and South American products. There's a refrigerator case full of hand-made tortillas.

Another source for Middle Eastern foods with a real, old-fashioned butcher shop (lamb, goat, veal, chickens) is Halalco in Falls Church, just off Lee Highway (Washington St.) near the overpass over Rt. 50.

Further out Lee Highway in Falls Church is the German Gourmet for sausages, deli meats, German-style breads, Scandinavian herring, Polish preserves, German wine, good mustard, real crackling lard.

[baranoouji]

Don't forget the Euro-Latino Grocery for all your Portugese food needs, including fresh sardines and the dried salt cod.  2700 Pershing Dr. (at Washington Blvd).

Euro-Latino

Bacalao! Thanks ever so much.

[baranoouji]

Check out the Latin market on Wilson Blvd. across from Whole Foods. The meat counter has great  chorizo, and the store has a broad selection of Mexican, Central American and South American products. There's a refrigerator case full of hand-made tortillas.

Another source for Middle Eastern foods with a real, old-fashioned butcher shop (lamb, goat, veal, chickens) is Halalco in Falls Church, just off Lee Highway (Washington St.) near the overpass over Rt. 50.

Further out Lee Highway in Falls Church is the German Gourmet for sausages, deli meats, German-style breads, Scandinavian herring, Polish preserves, German wine, good mustard, real crackling lard.

Thank you! I am really impressed with the area's diversity in terms on markets. If impressed means "going to eat a lot in the next few years" that is.

[DCMark]

Oh how could I forget the Indian Spice and Appliance store. THE place to go for your PAL, Bollywood and Indian spice needs!

Indian Spice and Appliances 220 Volts
(703) 522-1555

3000 10th St N
Arlington, VA 22201

[foodgeek]

The spice and appliance store ( a few blocks from me) closed a couple fo months ago. They are building anew building there. The store will reopen when the building does.

My arlington grocery picks:

Whole foods

small latin grocery on wilson, behind whole foods. has a meat dept.

Euro Latino Grocery on Washington blvd near pershing. get goat tacos and lorocco pupusas at El Charrito caminante while nearby. Euro Latino caters to brazilians, portuguese, and hispanics. they even import fresh sardines, octopus etc. and they freezae some of it, so it is always around. they have a meat dept too, with an argentine butcher.

Lebanese taverna market on old dominion near lee highway.

arrowine for wine and cheese. lee highway. If you want this weeks email circular...message me.

M slavin and sons in s.arlington for fish.

The Swedish Fish (has another name) behind the VA Square giant (Washington blvd) for fish and scandinavian products. small selection, but very fresh, since owner is a seafood distributer.

The Italian Store. btw...they have great ny pizza and philly hoagies too.

I've never been to the 2 fillepino groceries. one is next to a filepino restaurant and one is on lee highway.

Also, not in Arlington, but closeby on Wilson....Asian groceries at Eden Center (A Vietnamese dining and food shopping area).

I have a DC area ethnic grocery link somewhere. Message me if u need it.

Oh how could I forget the Indian Spice and Appliance store.  THE place to go for your PAL, Bollywood and Indian spice needs!

Indian Spice and Appliances 220 Volts
(703) 522-1555

3000 10th St N
Arlington, VA 22201

[foodgeek]

just turning email replies on. :)

[baranoouji]

I've never been to the 2 fillepino groceries. one is next to a filepino restaurant and one is on lee highway.

I'm Filipino, so I can say that the one next to Little Quiapo is pretty good. I prefer Mabuhay in Springfield, mainly because of the availability of tasty snacks like cuchinta and hopiang munggo. Thanks for reminding me, because I've been meaning to drag my fiancé out for some lechon baboy and halo-halo.

I'll PM now for the D.C. stuff. Thank you for your fabulous helpfulness!

[rvanrens]

Don't forget The Italian Store on Lee Highway over by Spout Run Parkway - it's in the same shopping center as the Geriatric Giant. And there's La Union Mercado on Old Lee Highway near Arrowine and Pastries By Randolph...really really awesome picante chorizos...

Rob
who used to live up the hill from Ballston

[VenerableBede]

Check out the Latin market on Wilson Blvd. across from Whole Foods. The meat counter has great  chorizo, and the store has a broad selection of Mexican, Central American and South American products. There's a refrigerator case full of hand-made tortillas.

<ears perk up> good chorizo?? hand-made tortillas?? please tell me they are corn, and not flour.