Verducci's, in Flemington area

[Kim WB]

Has anyone ever been here? Candidly, I feel a bit silly, as it is in what I would consider "my neck of the woods"..but I've never even heard of it. Sounds like an extensive gourmet food store...produce, butcher, fish, prepared foods, and a bistro. I'll be in Hopewell tomorrow, and am hoping for an extra hour to check it out.

[swissmiss]

I clipped the article intending to go there one of these coming weekends. The prices listed in the piece didn't really seem competitive though. I look forward to reading what you say after your visit.

[Rail Paul]

I've always found Brooke Tarabour's pieces to be of interest. This is definitely an "under the radar" operation if the article is fully accurate. The "four chefs on staff" was quite a surprise, too.

Verducci's in the Ledger

[helenas]

Thanks for letting know. Please, do post your report. It's time for me to visit Liberty Village outlet stores (especially Cut Glass and Le Creuset), as well as to check on Flemington Central Liquors wine store.

[Rosie]

Never been but have posted some info about their food demonstrations on my Food Events page. Haven't received any information from them in a long time. Sounds like an interesting store.

[Kim WB]

Sounds like an interesting store.

Yes, but like Paul said, isn't it strange, if they are good, that they have been flyin under the radar? I mean, they are 15 miles from P'ton, and 15 mi. form Bridgewater ( hi Tommy) and DAMN how did I miss them....Truthfully, it seems like the kind of place I should have DISCOvered, NOT read about!!

Edited February 27, 2003 by Kim WB (log)

[Kim WB]

So, I had the opportunity this week to make a detour into Hunterdon Cty to visit Verducci's.

I guess the bottom line is that if you live nearby, its a great place for fresh produce, and gourmet food items. Also, but harder to determine quality, a nice beef, fish and game selection. Lots of precut cheeses, mostly cow but some sheep and goats...also a case filled with fresh cut to please cheeses.Certainly a better, fresher selection than perhaps your local grocers, but nothing compared to a Wegman's. The baked goods looked above average...french pastries, the ubiquitous (sp?) butter cookie selection, and what looked like sourdoughs and crusty Italian loaves..artisinal, to use a word I dislike.

However, if you have access to a Wegman's,or high quality cheese, bakeries, butchers, etc..there is not anything at Verduccci's that is unique or a stand out. While the shelf goods were diverse, it appeared to be a similiar selection to what you'd find in your local fancy foods store: mustards, jams, oils. Perhaps a larger selection of each..its a big store..but the same kind of products.

I did find a mustard, by Terrapin Ridge, a small producer in Illinois. Thai Curry and Sweet basil...great with Snyder's Hard pretzels! I bought some Crystallized ginger, and Procuisine wasabi stir fry oil. ( this is the brand thats in the squeeze bottles) Again, not anything that I could not have found at Bon Appetit, my local foodie store.

All in all, a nice store but not worth a major detour. Helena, its about 5-7 miles from central Flemington.