So, as I have this issue where I need a stocked pantry to sleep at night, grocery shopping was on the agenda.  I’m used to all things Fresh Market & Publix being so close by like it was in Altamonte.  However, now that I’m here in the big city, my options are limited.  The Whole Paychex isn’t open yet in Plymouth Meeting (and at the rate they are going, it might be January before they are open).  Trader Joes is in Ardmore – another 20 min. or so away – and will be treacherous come winter.  There is a ShopRite 3 mi. away in Roxborough – however, as a Philly native told me “Don’t EVEN go there – it’s gross!”  Down the street is a SuperFresh but that also had its drawbacks as some of the food isn’t so “SuperFresh”  The deli expects ALL of your orders at once, not just order one thing and think about what else you need.  And if you expect the clerks to help bag your groceries, forget it – you’ll get the blank stare like “Huh/Wha?”  It was interesting to say the least.  And stay away from the rotisserie chicken – because of a couple bad experiences, I’ll be roasting my own chicken from hereon out thankyouverymuch!

You can imagine my surprise when I decided on a whim to try Genuardis which is about 10 min. away from SuperFresh and can I say “WOW!”  I should have known that it was calling my name when I was greeted by a Starbucks stand as I entered the store.  Everyone there is super friendly.  They have some phenomenal homemade soups that keep well and have been a lifesaver this week as I’ve been nursing a cold and slavin’ over a hot stove hasn’t been an option lately.  The produce – crisp and fresh.  The butcher shop is on point – and their stuffed mushrooms – I. Die.  And when I am looking for some gourmet ingredients, HELLO!  They have it.  Case in point – grapeseed oil.  I paid a fortune for a small bottle in a culinary store who will remain nameless and found a much bigger bottle by the SAME maker for CHEAP!  I will never make that mistake again.  Their prices are competitive and, remember, you get what you pay for.  No longer will apples go bad within a day or two of bringing them home like I encountered at that other store.  All in all, I think this is a good way to start my culinary adventure here in Philly…

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So, 3 weeks of take out, delivery and micro meals does not make a happy food blogger. 

Before I left, my friends came over and kicked my butt into moving overdrive.  SL, Jay & Kar helped me box up the hell known as my kitchen and also helped take a bunch of things off my hands – specifically my pantry and liquor cabinet; both of which were not coming with.  SL now has a spice cabinet to die for loaded with some serious goodies like truffle oil, meyer lemon oil, coffee and goodies shipped from the Italian Market.  Heck, since I could go to the Italian Market on Saturdays, I could replenish it – right?  However, one thing I haven’t been able to find is my creole seasoning – for some reason they just don’t seem to have that here.  I’m hopeful that maybe Whole Paychex or Trader Joe’s might have or else I’m calling SL to ship some to me stat. 

I can say that my kitchen is MUCH bigger in terms of counter space and, while I don’t have an island, I might just not need it.  And, now that the pans have been located, I’ve been getting back my cooking mojo.  Won’t my neighbors be thrilled   The pantry is a bit smaller so it’s going to mean I’m going to have to find some new ways to keep everything moving along.

Now please excuse me while I make plans to have yet another run to Crate & Barrel in the morning for more spice jars and a few more organizing ideas so I can actually have this kitchen running smoothly.  Oh, and so I can make room for the *ahem* new goodies coming from RueLaLa from the Calphalon sale… *shhhh* just don’t tell anyone.

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