Grocery Outlet, November 2010

[zippo]

Oakland Grocery Outlet, last Monday afternoon, Nov. 1

oh, and the veggie tacos ($1.25 each) from the truck in front are good with white cheese, avocado and some char on the pinto beans.

drinks-

-$11.99 for Okocim OK pale lager from Poland, 12-11.2 oz. bottles, 5.6% ABV, tasty, some fruitiness, not up to Pilsner Urquell standards but worthwhile,
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/568/1525

-$5.99, Andersen Valley High Rollers Wheat Beer, 5.30% ABV, 6-12 oz. bottles, filtered (without the residue at the bottom of brewer's yeast full of B vitamins),
http://beernews.org/2010/06/anderson-...

-$4.99, several Fife reds and a rosé from 2000 – 2004. Picked up a 1993 Fife Napa Zin, old vines. haven't opened yet,

-$14.99, Villa Hermosa 2006 and 2007 cabs. The 2005 , which they didn't have, received very good reviews but don't know if it carries over to the following two years, couldn't find any tasting notes,

-$5.99, Axis 2006 Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley

other-

-$2.99, Kretschmer Wheat Germ, original toasted, 20 oz. jar, looking for more B vitamins,

-$.99, Pacific Organic Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato soup, 32. oz. reduced sodium, gluten free, from Pacific Food of Tualatin, OR, might go well when served cold with the Anderson Valley wheat beer,

-$3.99, Bolero triple-milled Shea butter soap, 4 – 4 oz. bars, made in US in attractive box with Norman Rockwell repro from Saturday Evening Post on front, will get a few more for gifts and

-$1.99, Ethnic Gourmet Butternut Squash Ravioli with gorgonzola cheese and pecans, frozen 10 oz. carton, from a division of Hain Celestial. Would this go with the Axis Pinot?

[Ruth Lafler]

I kind of went nuts at GO today -- they had some things I'd bought and liked before but hadn't seen for a while.

Alouette creme fraiche -- 7 oz tub for 99 cents
Alouette garlic herb cheese -- 99 cents
Pace tequila lime salsa -- $3.99 for a huge plastic jug
Athenos plain nonfat Greek yogurt (no additives, just cultured milk), 16 oz. container -- $1.29
Meyer lemons -- $1.99/lb bag

It's oatmeal season -- lots and lots of oatmeal.
Sour Cream and Wasabi baked rice crackers -- $1.49

[toodie jane]

I'm from out of the SFBA, but my local GO had some nice packages of fresh sheet pasta for .99, so I made a lasagna which was pretty good! If you can find it, try it. Beats dried pasta all to heck--it's nice and thin. Brand: Bertagni 250 gr. .99.

If any SFBA GO fans travel to Tahoe much, make a 20 minute trip off 80 to the GO in Grass Valley for great deals in wine, tons of cool stuff. Big well-stocked store.

[Ruth Lafler]

Thanks for the tip. I saw the pasta sheets (in the refrigerated "deli" section) and thought they looked good.

There was some Zinfandel they seemed to be featuring (at Oakland) that was described as being from the Dry Creek area. 2005 vintage, $3.99/bottle. The name was something like Orci. Anyone know anything about it?

[baron45]

I bought a bottle from the RWC location and it is called Orli. I haven't opened it yet, but it now will be next on my list.

http://www.orliwines.com/wine1.html

[Ruth Lafler]

Thanks! From the description the website, it sounds worth buying (note that they are selling it for $22): http://www.orliwines.com/wine1.html

[baron45]

I opened my btl of Orli last night. Turns out it was a 2004 vintage. For a Zin, it was thin and did not have the "robust-ness" I was expecting. It was also tart & hot on the finish. This was $16 on the winery website so not so good a deal as the '05 and not worth a re-buy based on the taste.

[Ruth Lafler]

Thanks for taking the bullet. According to the website, the 2005 is fuller bodied than the 2004, so it might still be worth taking a chance.

[Ruth Lafler]

My mom reported thumbs down on the 2005 as well. I told her about the Melanie Wong tactic of opening it and trying it in the parking lot and she said she felt like a naughty teenager!

[Melanie Wong]

The one time I tried the Bertagna sheet pasta, the sheets were all stuck together in the pack and unusable. i had to take it back.

Outside the SF area, i got

Carmelina italian chopped tomatoes in tomato puree (and that's all the ingredient list shows, no salt or citric acid listed), 400 grams, 79¢, Best before date: dec 31, 2010
Liberte' Mediterranee fruit yogurt from Canada, 6 oz, 3/$1, Nov 30 dating
2007 Domaine de Fabregues Coteaux du Languedoc, $5.99, WS 90 pts, quite delicious at our chowdown in June, will hold for a couple years
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melaniew...

[sydthekyd]

How is the "tequila lime salsa?"

[Ruth Lafler]

I've had the tequila lime salsa before and really liked it. I rarely buy bottled "red" salsa since I make my own, but I often buy green salsas, and this is one of my favorites. I don't know what I'm going to do with two half-gallon jugs of it, although it does keep practically forever in the fridge after opening.

[sydthekyd]

Crab enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos, etc.!

[Stephanie Wong]

chile verde?

[KatoK]

Livermore chiming in.
On Saturday I found a nice Russian River valley Pinot Noir from Beauchemin Vineyards for $4.99. I delayed too long in getting back to the store and today there was only a single bottle left. Also I was pleased to see that the RockRidge Cellars, (Cameron Hughes), Meritage has returned. Great value at $3.99, a well crafted wine in my opinion. I found this last summer and bought a case before it went away.

-----
Meritage Restaurant
165 West Napa St, Sonoma, CA 95476

[Gustavo Glenmorangie]

interesting. I picked up a bottle of the rockridge meritage last week and was less than impressed. I realize it's only 4 bucks (less 20% last week), and just about anything makes the cut at that price point, I suppose, but I wouldn't spend another $4 for another bottle. In fact we drank half the bottle, shrugged,; corked it up and put it in the freezer for cooking with. Not a bad wine by any means, but there's not much there there.

I also got a few bottles of the Axis pinot. Haven't tried that yet, but I'm hopeful.

Also, Oakland had some Murphy-Goode Alexander Valley cabs on Monday that were the focus of a feeding frenzy. They had two single vineyard bottlings (Adams Knoll and Sarah something). By the time I got there Sarah was gone (like 10am Monday morning), and by the time I left the 6 or 7 cases of Adams Knoll was gone as well. I think it was 5.99 a bottle.

Oh yeah, one more wine goodie: someone posted on the half bottles of Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand (Dashwood, I think). They also have half bottles of Dashwood NZ Pinot Noir at the same $3.99. Nice, lean, typical NZ pinot and a half bottle is a sweet thing to have on hand for... well, for those times when only a half bottle will do.

[DavidT]

The GO in Marina is selling 1/2 bottles of Ravenswood 2005 Sonoma County Zinfandel for $3.99 (pre-discount). They also had Rabbit Ridge 2008 Central Coast Petite Sirah for $4.99.

[baron45]

RWC has some Murphy-Goode Alexander Valley Merlot (2003) for $4.99.

Not too bad.

[Tumkers]

San Jose had Strauss Organic ice cream for 1.99 a pint -- very good sweet cream flavor. There was also 4 pack greek yogurts with blueberries 1.99 and Stonyfield Farms organic cream top yogurt in White chocolate raspberry flavor 2/1$.

I am bummed that the butter that used to be 1.99 /lb is now 2.99/lb.

[PatLambuth]

Watsonville 11/13 (little outside the SFBA) A new GO that I'll have to explore.

Pomi Marinara $0.99
Swansons Chicken Broth $0.69

[bayareabeagle]

Rohnert Park, 11/9/10:

Half-bottles of Dashwood 2008 NZ sauvignon blanc, $3.99.

These have a screw top, so they would be good for picnics or other on-the-go occasions.

[Melanie Wong]

While not in a Bay Area store, found some good things yesterday that you might spot in a local GO.

Hebrew National knockwurst, $1.49
Oscar Meyer bacon, 8 oz, $1.29 (also saw 16 oz maple cured for double the price, but Mom likes to buy 2 small packs instead)

Apparently November is cheese month at GO. Snofrisk is back, lots of brie including a mini extra creamy Alouette round for $2.99, organic Rumiano monterey jack @ $3.99/lb, chevre, extra sharp Wisconsin cheddar, raw milk Irish cheddar, and more.

Then be sure to stop by the cookware aisle. Many items from Good Cook and Mario Batali's line made by Copco that would make good stocking stuffers this holiday season.

Batali flexible nylon turner, $2.99 ($6.45 Amazon)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AOI5N0/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000TGSXOU&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=10JBA0G2EFBFTTBH84RN

Batali silicone basting brush, $2.99 ($11.94 Amazon)
http://www.amazon.com/Mario-Batali-Silicone-Basting-Brush/dp/B000ELOJQG/ref=pd_sim_k_1

Batali silicon risotto spatula, $2.99 ($11.14 Amazon)
http://www.amazon.com/Mario-Batali-Silicone-Risotto-Spatula/dp/B000TGWYD6/ref=pd_sim_k_3

I really like the contoured handle on the risotto spatula, but note that the thumb grip makes it a right-handed tool.

Chicago Cutlery 7" Santoko stainless steel knife, $6.99 ($12.99 Amazon)
http://www.bestcovery.com/chicago-cut...
Yes, Chicago Cutlery is not what it used to be, and this is not the greatest santoku knife. What I do like about it is the light weight, wide blade, and the balance/handle fits my hand well. Using it to chop onions last night, those with beefier fingers might whack their knuckles on the board as there's not that much clearance. As the reviews on Amazon note, the initial honing is a bit rough, but once I take a steel to it, this blade is quite satisfactory. It will be a good addition to my mom's kitchen, giving her something lighter to use than her Chinese cleavers and heavy Solingen steel Henckels knives. It's well worth $7 as a supplemental tool and we'll keep it.

[oakjoan]

Just a quick WARNING about Batali flexible turners. I have had nothing but GRIEF using them, they're too thick and just push whatever it is you want to flip around in the pan. I paid much bigger bucks for them at some snooty gourmet store like Sur La Table.

[zippo]

Grocery Outlet Wine Sale - all wine is 20% off for five days from Wed. November 10th through Sun. Nov. 14th

[ourswimmer]

in Oakland on Saturday they had 16-oz. tubs of premade guacamole for $3.99. They say "Yucatan 95% Avocado!" on the front and that representation seems to be honest because I am sure the tub has more avocado in it than I could have bought fresh and ripe for $3.99. Nice and chunky too.

[Cross Eyed Bear]

Have you tried the Axis Pinot?

[zippo]

I did try the Axis and liked it - saw someone cart off a case of it a few weeks ago. I'm not a wine expert but noticed what seemed like aromas of cranberry and licorice. If you try it let me know what you think.

http://www.tastings.com/scout_wine.lasso?id=186499

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp...

[maxmanx]

Redwood City is out of the Axis Pinot.

Anyone know where they still have inventory?

[Cross Eyed Bear]

None in Berkeley yesterday. Don't know about Oakland. Anyone?

[zippo]

was in Oakland GO yesterday and may have seen the Axis pinot but not 100% sure.

[ML8000]

In Oakland yesterday:

Niman Ranch Uncured Fearless Franks, ($1.99 / 1 lb package.
Barrington organic tea (black and green), 100 bags / $2.79. (I didn't buy).
Aidell's Pineapple and Bacon Smoked Chicken sausages ($7.99 / 2 lbs)

I've had the pineapple/bacon/chix sausages...very nice. Bacon-y taste but mostly chicken.