/cities/seattle/Grocery-Stores/ Judy's Book - Latest reviews - Grocery Stores - Seattle, WA en-us help@judysbook.com http://images.judysbook.com/members/judysbook.png /cities/seattle/Grocery-Stores/ Reviews - Grocery Stores cat c.
Review of: Uwajimaya Village Seattle

I hate to be a voice of dissent, but let me say it anyway: Uwajimaya is certainly not bad, and it's really a mainstay for many people, Asians, Asian-Americans, Caucasians, etc., and a big part of the International District, with its modern, pan-Asian flavor. And the fish market is excellent, probably the best in the city. The vegetable and fruit section is very good, as well, with far more variety than almost anywhere and the quality usually at least better-than-average. The food court, I guess, brings a lot of tourists as well as regulars, not much different from Westlake Mall (maybe a little more authentic). But from the beginning, I felt it was pushing out the smaller Asian groceries (at least at this end of the ID) and providing a QFC kind of experience to Asian grocery shopping. And the prices were, considering the volume of business, not inexpensive compared to the Chinese and Vietnamese groceries. a 15 cent reduction in price on something $2-$4 is peanuts. I bought a top-notchy Japanese Tiger brand electric rice cooker (which, along with Zojurushi, are far superior to the Chinese or Taiwanese brands, which don't do brown rice) for $170 on sale--which was still more expensive than what you pay online (including S+H). And the return policy on such things was essentially "once you've used it, you can't return it." I also purchase my Japanese rubber acupressure sandals, which I wouldn't have been able to find elsewhere, here. For a real Japanese culinary or grocery experience, I am afraid this is still not that close (I've been to Tokyo). Efficient, clean (especially as compared to most Asian groceries)...and very crowded, which is another reason I find it not the most relaxed grocery shopping experience. On the other hand, I'll have to admit that the Chinese/Vietnamese markets up on 12th & Jackson (Viet-Wah, etc.) are REALLY chaotic by comparison. But generally the staff, especially the cashiers, are pretty polite, which is more of an ingrained Japanese cultural/societal thing (the Chinese, by contrast, are "nice" to those they are connected to in some way--"guanxi"). And I don't really need a whole (long) aisle full of various kinds of hot chili sauce and soy sauce. Sometimes less is more. (Trader Joe's provides an example of where pre-selection and scaled down selection is actually a good thing). Living in Asia years ago, I actually enjoyed going to smaller specialty stores rather than the gigantic Western-style supermarkets which were becoming the rage (and indeed still are and have become the norm, even in China today). There is a certain charmless, sterile impersonal quality to these supermarkets (think especially of Fred Meyer). Thought the era of the shopping mall was over. For such a gigantic grocery enterprise, one would think they would have planned better restrooms, too. Some of the Western groceries--seemingly randomly selected--are second-rate, things that I would never buy at a QFC, etc. Don't know why their buyers do such a poor job there. Quality, not quantity, please...
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/Catlover/posts/2007/11/527448/ Sat, 03 Nov 2007 11:28:49 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/Catlover/posts/2007/11/527448/ Reviews - Grocery Stores Chris B.
Review of: Central Market

Great seafood, and beer selections. Plus a respectable asian food section. Prices are a little higher than Safeway, but worth it.
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/91723/posts/2007/10/526946/ Fri, 19 Oct 2007 21:08:25 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/91723/posts/2007/10/526946/ Reviews - Grocery Stores Jill S.
Review of: Central Market

I have used Central Market Bakery for all my cake needs for the past 2 years. All of my friends have started using them as well, but tasting the fresh cakes that I have had at Baby Showers, Birthdays, Graduations, & Weddings that I have hosted. The cake is made fresh the day you pick it up. The decorating of the cakes is unblievable. They are also so friendly, and try to accomodate your request. I usually use the Central Market Bakery in Mill Creek, but did use the one in North Seattle as well. I will definately be using them to order my wedding cake this next year.
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/90694/posts/2007/10/526516/ Mon, 08 Oct 2007 09:31:28 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/90694/posts/2007/10/526516/ Reviews - Grocery Stores cat c.
Review of: Trader Joe's

The best Trader Joe's store in the Seattle area is the one on 17th & Madison: wide aisles, pleasant staff, relaxed atmosphere, very wide selection of groceries. Wish this one were on Queen Anne instead of on Capitol Hill. The selection of breakfast cereals is very good, unlike the kiddy stuff found in your typical supermarket. Trays of combo hummus, sushi. Bags of pre-washed collard and mustards greens. Very nice boxes of fresh basil, all-year-round I believe. Beer and wine. Pet food/litter. In other words, basically everything you could find in a supermarket. Some sub-standard groceries like the all-purpose Italian salad dressing (plenty of sugar, could be used as a topping for ice cream) but half the price. The store on Queen Anne is FREQUENTLY out of stock of certain products. In other words, what you found two weeks earlier, you may not find again for a while, which may lead to a certain "hoard" mentality. If you see it once, go for it! One can never be sure if the national management is going to decide to "cut" a particular product because it is not selling well enough--no advance warning given at all. Quite a disappearing trick.. If you don't see something that you see two weeks ago it may not only be NOT on the shelves, it may have been discontinued completely. Ask at the customer service desk just to be sure!. (I was crestfallen when their wonderful buttermilk, not Ranch, salad dressing was discontinued). But the staff is as hardworking and friendly as one could possibly hope for (I don't know how they do it, but they frequently rotate jobs). There is nary a let-up in the aisles, whatever the time of day. Going to the one on QA is like going to a Friends of the Seattle Public Library semi-annual book sale: you rush into a crush of people and hope to get out as soon as you grab your groceries and get through the line at the cash register. But in an era of airplane-hangar supermarkets like the Harvard Market QFC. any Trader Joe's is somewhat of a victory for the consumer.
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/Catlover/posts/2007/5/520922/ Tue, 22 May 2007 01:03:36 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/Catlover/posts/2007/5/520922/ Reviews - Grocery Stores cat c.
Review of: Metropolitan Market

I have always been pleasantly impressed by the relaxed, friendly staff at this store. (even when I've come here to pick up some leafy green trimmings for my guinea pig, in the past). Basically everything you need (in other words, a nice selection), prices maybe a little higher than elsewhere...one's not overwhelmed by a dozen choices of something pretty rudimentary. No interminable aisles (think of the Harvard Market QFC) a block long. You can actually find things here without spending 5-10 minutes looking for just one item. I am always surprised that places like this treat you as a human being, while expensive veterinarian offices (for whatever reason) make it ever so clear that they are a business and only a business ("and would you please either make an office appointment or leave" attitude). I attribute that to a propensity on the part of many owners of vet clinics to want to be on a par with whom they judge to be their peers in the bio-tech and information technology fields, i.e., get into the country club. Though the new Safeway next door is glitzier in some ways, this store is much more on a human scale. That Safeway is still an airplane-hangar (in conception and scale), efficient, friendly, but one feels like one is on a conveyor belt as soon as one steps in. No desire absolutely to do anything but get in, get one's stuff, and get out as soon as possible--unless you're the kind of person who finds wandering around/shopping in an airport a gratifying experience). The Big S with its inside face-lift is big, cold, and impersonal (the staff are pretty nice though). And one recent Sunday, in the midst of all the great hub-a-dub, the cashier forget to give me the cash I requested when I used my debit card--I was so anxious to get of there and there was a surfeit of activity going all around me... Actually, the Metropolitan Market (former Larry's Market) down the hill is much clunkier than this one--cavernous in comparison. Am adamantly opposed to building a 6-story QFC (with apartments above). Why don't they tear down the tick-tacky 7-11 down the street instead? From the NYT (May 6, 2007) by Craig Smith : "Yes, life ([in France] is expensive: a web of protectionist regulations has kept a lid on the ability to save money at discount stores and restaurant chains. But that has also kept neighborhood bistros and bakers and cheese shops and charcuteries in business far longer than in most other developed economies, creating a rich fabric of daily life that everyone loves. It is one reason France draws more tourists than any other country each year."
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/Catlover/posts/2007/5/520921/ Tue, 22 May 2007 01:01:40 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/Catlover/posts/2007/5/520921/ Reviews - Grocery Stores Angela D.
Review of: Hilltop Red Apple Market

It's close to where I live, but I could easily go down the street which isn't too much further. It's open till 11pm which makes it real convenient. They have a good selection of the essentials and also a good selection of ethnic foods at a good price. They even carry mexican pasties. The orgranic selection could be better but I dont really buy organic that often. The staff is totally friendly and the atmosphere geniunely has a neighborhood feel. All walks of life from the neighborhood can be seen and it really gives you a sense of community.
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/72512/posts/2007/6/521528/ Mon, 04 Jun 2007 11:57:01 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/72512/posts/2007/6/521528/ Reviews - Bars Sylvia M.
Review of: Bad Juju Lounge

I love to go there for a few drinks with friends. Although I fond it nicer in week days than weekends. Different crowd, different staff. The music is great too; a little too loud.
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/44695/posts/2007/5/520603/ Mon, 14 May 2007 19:07:59 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/44695/posts/2007/5/520603/ Reviews - Coffee Shops Kadie J.
Review of: Herkimer Coffee

Herkimer is a small town in New York, but in Seattle it's a great coffee shop. They've got free wifi and a bright atmosphere we love on a Saturday morning. The bigger room off to the right has a super long table for sharing, great for us hooking up with our neighborhood friends, or for meeting new people. Same with the small back counter, or any of the window counter seating. What I really love is how pleasant the staff is. Coffee shops get so busy, and I get that dealing with "the Public" can be tiring, but I've never gotten that vibe at Herkimer which is a refreshing change in Seattle. There is bench seating outside and generally a few dogs lounging about with their owners. Also plenty of room outside for strollers. Check them out, but don't expect chai, they are die-hard coffee folks.
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/Kadidid/posts/2007/5/520392/ Wed, 09 May 2007 22:37:47 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/Kadidid/posts/2007/5/520392/ Reviews - Grocery Stores Nick M.
Review of: The Wine Shop on 24th

removing this
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/32176/posts/2006/1/252565/ Wed, 18 Jan 2006 20:13:05 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/32176/posts/2006/1/252565/ Reviews - Catering Sarah J.
Review of: Whole Foods Market

If you're willing to splurge, and want a REALLY good cake, I highly suggest Whole Foods' bakery on Roosevelt. They've done a great job for me on custom cakes before. They're esp. good if you love high quality chocolate cakes or cakes for those with special dietary needs. The staff are always helpful, and if you give them a few days or a week's notice, they're able to whip up something extraordinary. Hope this helps!
]]> http://www.judysbook.com/members/59349/posts/2007/3/517050/ Thu, 08 Mar 2007 13:26:34 GMT http://www.judysbook.com/members/59349/posts/2007/3/517050/