I'm with my husband in Whole Foods Market at Fairfax and Santa Monica Boulevards - at the corner of hell on earth - or rather the parking lot is hell on earth. It's in the middle of bubbie-land - i.e. retirees who can't see over the steering wheel and the spaces are so 'compact' that even if you could find one you wonder how you'll get out of your car.
So you can imagine that this has set my husband up for already being in a bit of a grumpy mood and he's muttering as we enter the store that he'll "see me in the wine aisle". I like to say that we're both 'young at heart' but sometimes having him with me in the market is like having a kid in the shopping cart.
He returns a few minutes later declaring happily that he hasn't spotted anything that we sell in Wine Valet so he's momentarily content. I catch the last of "I'm off to check on the price of anchovies...." as I'm trying to get out of the store without doing any serious damage.
"Guess!" he states proudly when I meet him by the milk. "Just guess!"
"$49.00," I reply, pushing the cart toward that end of the store. I figure I have "won" this one since when we were in the BH Whole Foods a week before they had told us that they had stopped carrying the precious fish at their deli because they were just "too expensive". And remember, that's Beverly Hills.
But no - here at the Fairfax market they have both varieties - the cured in oil/vinegar white anchovies which is the one he's asking me to guess about - AND the briny salted hairy other ones (yummier in my opinion).
The answer is $49/lb and $79/lb respectively. Or something like $1.00+ an anchovy of the saltier ones. I'm making a mental note to check again after gas prices go back down to $3.00 in the year 2012.
We peruse the gourmet cheeses and nuts - each one shockingly close to double from the last time we looked. Not a pretty picture if this section of the store is a reflection of inflation, the de-valuing of the dollar and general disarray in the universe.
Suddenly, from behind a pile of crackers and cheese - I hear a voice cry out. "Look at this!...I found a bargain! And it's been aged in oak for 6 months...."
I turn to see what the excitement is about and yes, there it is. A bottle of California Cabernet for $3.99 - plus 10% off for a case discount or $3.69 a bottle. Look out Two Buck - the competition is heating up.
The bottle has to cost at least $1 - is this a sign of what we have to look forward to in the months ahead to as we all pull in our belts to save a few dollars?
How low will the prices go on these special selections? Aren't they taking up valuable floor space that could be used to merchandise a $6.00 pint of ice cream?
Speaking of which, as we head to the check out we do see a hostess giving free scoops - 4 in all - of this week's flavor du jour - chocolate and Madagascar vanilla and so I desert my husband at the checkout and decide to partake. All 4 scoops - or at least $1.50's worth of ice cream.
Maybe I should go back and buy two anchovies?
If you've tasted one of these bargains, send us an update. We love to hear of your great deals!
Julie
