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 Post subject: First time to Penzey's
PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:24 pm 
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Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2009 6:56 pm
Posts: 48
Hello All, Tomorrow I am going to make my first ever trip to Penzey's (Menlo Park). I have resisted ordering on line because I wanted to experience the smells. Any suggestions of anything I shouldn't miss???

I am soooo looking forward! Hope to be able to scoot up to the Spanish Table (Berkeley) afterwards. Tomorrow is the alst day of my winter break & want to squeeze every delicious minute out of it. :lol: :twisted: :P

janet


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 Post subject: Re: First time to Penzey's
PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:55 pm 
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Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 4:38 pm
Posts: 536
Hi Janet,
Lucky you! Give these things a look:

- the cinnamons (we like the chinese cassia)
- the peppercorns, it's just fun to be able to smell them all comparatively (we like the tellicherry)
- the vanillas, they have double, beans, etc.
- the toasted granulated garlic
- the blends, I talk about Mural of Flavor a lot elsewhere
- some of the salts and salt blends
- anything else that might not be as fresh at other sources (the French Tarragon is excellent - who else has that?)

Overall, it's neat to be able to smell everything, then get in a small bottle quanity. Tell us what you end up with!

Lynn


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 Post subject: Re: First time to Penzey's
PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 10:17 pm 
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Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 1:03 am
Posts: 5280
Location: Portland, OR
Janet,

Here's the things we've bought at Penzey's which we can't match anywhere else, even in San Francisco:

  • Turmeric (theirs is stronger and less bitter)
  • Low-heat chili flakes
  • Mexican vanilla
  • Instant stock concentrate (low MSG)
  • Turkish Oregano

In return, please tell me how the Peninsula Penzey's is. I have to go down there at some point. We could even meet up.

Oh, and at Spanish Table, here's the must-haves:

  • Lemon-stuffed olives (crack for olive-lovers)
  • Valencia Rice (for paella)
  • Squid Ink (only place in the BA I can get it)
  • Jerez Sherry vinegar
  • Portuguese Vino Verde
  • Interesting jarred peppers
  • Six kinds of paprika
  • Serrano ham (according to meaties)

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 Post subject: Re: First time to Penzey's
PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 12:52 am 
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Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:08 pm
Posts: 41
Location: Seattle, WA
When I go down to the Portland, OR store I always buy about 10 things that weren't on my list! :) I need to place an order but I keep trying to think of another reason to drive to Portland so I can go to the store.

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www.heritagerecipes.com


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 Post subject: Re: First time to Penzey's
PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:22 am 
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Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 6:12 pm
Posts: 264
I also like Penzey's Taco Mix. I'm sure most of you make your own, but I love this when I want something quick and easy, and it's waaaaaay better than the stuff in the foil packet.

Also, Fox Point, shallot salt, yes, yes to the Cassia Cinnamon and all the other things mentioned. I'm definitely going to try the low-heat chili flakes. I've never noticed them before, and they would be perfect for us.

Oh, and the Spanish Table looks awesome. I'm definitely going to place an order, and visit in person next time I'm near a store.

trink.


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 Post subject: Re: First time to Penzey's
PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 8:53 pm 
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Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2009 6:56 pm
Posts: 48
Today was the last day of my winter break, so I took a friend on a shopping tour of the Bay. We started at Draeger's, an upscale market that I just enjoy browsing in. Then we walked down the street to Penzey's. WOW! What nice people. I probably bought way too much! Good paprika, (I see an air-dried chicken in my new-future), tumeric (thanks Josh), good pepper corns, don't remember what all. I will bring it in and store in old jars tomorrow whilst dh is on his bike ride.

Then, across the bay and up to Berkeley to The Spanish Table. Got a couple nice bottles of wines I can't get anywhere else (toxolina is only a close approximation), a basque semi-bubbly, some good jamone, lots of interesting little jars. Stuffed olives & such.

A very nice end to an otherwise uneventful vacation.

Josh, I was impress with Penzey's. Now that I've been, I will probably order on-line. Going to the brick & mortar store was too tempting!! We completely circumnavigated the Bay :D .

Janet


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 Post subject: Re: First time to Penzey's
PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:04 pm 
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Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 4:38 pm
Posts: 536
Congrats on your finds Janet. Sounds like a lovely day. You bay people need to be the organizers for a CI event sometime. You are so lucky to have all this at your fingertips.

eb :mrgreen:


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 Post subject: Re: First time to Penzey's
PostPosted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 6:41 am 
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Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:10 pm
Posts: 1060
Location: PA
Janet wrote:
Now that I've been, I will probably order on-line.
Just be aware that shipping costs from Penzeys add up. We recently ordered online and paid almost $7 shipping on an order that was $24 before shipping. The Philly Penzeys is only a small detour when we visit the granddaughters so we try to plan our Penzeys shopping to coincide with that.


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 Post subject: Re: First time to Penzey's
PostPosted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 8:27 am 
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Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:44 am
Posts: 102
Location: Nantes, France
They also have a nice assortment of ground chili's from around the world. Enjoy!

...lou


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 Post subject: Re: First time to Penzey's
PostPosted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 10:14 am 
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Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:34 pm
Posts: 2011
Glad this topic is here. I will be going to Cleveland this spring to visit my brother and almost as excited to visit Penzey's as him. I love the Fox Point seasoning and was wondering what else you would recommend as a seasoning for vegetables? I also like the taco seasoning, it is handy for lots of things. I was going to use it today for my fajitas but then remembered my neighbor borrowed it. I am the go to girl for spices of all sorts :D .

Mary


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