36156 Fri May 06 10:35:43 -0700 2005 8 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 166385 Need help in finding an ethnic store which sells Basmati rice (favorite Tilda), middle eastern spices, and flatbreads.Have asked this on board before and did go to New World on Geary but did not find what I was looking for since that is mainly a Russian market. I used to go to Alborz Market on Sutter/Van Ness but only restaurant open now. Thanks in advance for help. Fri May 06 10:35:43 -0700 2005 0 emily scatone 1 166389 Try Bombay Bazaar on Valencia nr 16th for basmati. Try 22nd & Irving, or the place with the orange sign on Mission near 26th for middle eastern items. Fri May 06 11:16:59 -0700 2005 166385 0 bernalgirl 2 166391 One other possibility a bit further afield: there is (or at least was as of a few months ago last time I ws there) an international food store with middle eastern items on San Mateo Ave in downtown San Bruno. Sorry I can't remember the name, but it is on the east side of the street, and that street is always worth a chow-stroll to explore anyway... Fri May 06 11:22:15 -0700 2005 166389 0 susancinsf 3 166441 I don't know any places in SF, but my favorite local market, Milan International in Berkely on 9th and University, might know of a place over there if you give them a call. (510) 848-1671. Also Vik's might know (510)644-4412. (726 Alston Way (just up from 4th Street). If you're over in the East Bay, both of these places have basmati rice. At Vik's you can get a masala dhosa, to go...mmmmmmmmm goood. Fri May 06 16:22:25 -0700 2005 166391 0 oakjoan 1 166423 Emily, here are two more possibilities that I gleaned from back issues of the weekly San Francisco Bay Area ChowNews emailed newsletter. Worth a call to see if they have what you're looking for. Samiramis Imports [Mission] 2990 Mission St, near 26th San Francisco 94110 415-824-6555 Locater: http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypMap.py?Pyt=Typ&tuid=9831144&ck=3017117329 Haig's Delicacies [Richmond] 642 Clement St San Francisco 94118 415-752-6283 http://www.haigsdelicacies.com Locater: http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypMap.py?Pyt=Typ&tuid=9845994&ck=51078417 Link: http://chowhound.safeshopper.com/23/cat23.htm?933S Fri May 06 14:34:50 -0700 2005 166385 0 Melanie Wong 2 166443 If you are after mostly Middle Eastern specialties, Samiramis is the place. Fri May 06 16:24:22 -0700 2005 166423 0 Joan Kureczka 3 166508 I think I first heard about Samiramis from you. Haven't been there yet myself, any standards that you pick up there? Fri May 06 23:24:53 -0700 2005 166443 0 Melanie Wong 4 166564 It's been a while since I've been, but they have good spices and spice blends(I've gone their for sumak, dukkah, etc)which is what I've gone for. Also for great filo pastries including pistachio baklava. I seem to recall there is also a freezer with various items beyond the usual filo pastry and flatbreads. Sat May 07 13:51:23 -0700 2005 166508 0 Joan Kureczka 1 166546 Looking for Tilda rice? Safeway just started carrying it in their upper-end stores. Also Mollie Stones & Lunardi's should have it. It's available through their local supplier. Sat May 07 11:55:43 -0700 2005 166385 0 Fancy Food Guy