Stew Leonards

Amen for Stew Leonards. First, they have an amazing wine/liquor department which I take advantage of when I need to stock up my wine cellar. I bought 8 bottles of various types of wine for 62 bucks. Helpful staff, various wine tastings (yes, even Opus One, no joke!).

Second, they have an awesome gardening center which transitions nicely to a Christmas section in the winter. Ornaments and wreaths and apple cider.

Third, while I usually end up spending double what I might normally spend at another store that sells food, the quality in so much better and every once in a while, they have awesome meat sales. Like this week on filet mignon: $13.99 a lb. Porterhouse for $5.99 a lb. Golly gumdrops. If you spend over $100, they give you a free coffee or ice cream. Which is more than they have to do. And they make a killer pizza, present a deliciously eclectic buffet, and give you tastings as you shop. A butcher, a fish monger, fresh produce grown locally, a cheese section (with Jarlsberg on sale this week for 3.99), a bakery, craft brews, mooing cows, buttons to press, shiny lights... Ok, so I have a not-so-secret love affair with this grocery store. And this is the real reason why I haven't been eating out diligently. Sigh.

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