Where in the East Bay can I buy verjus?
July 11, 2017 4:54 PM Subscribe
I'm looking for a place that sells verjus/verjuice (unfermented grape juice used in cooking), ideally in Oakland or Berkeley. Any suggestions?
Here's more on verjus: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/27/dining/27power.html
The only place that I know that has it is the Mill Valley Market, but since I live in Oakland I'd rather not make the trip to Marin if I can avoid it.
I've tried Berkeley Bowl, Whole Foods (Oakland), Market Hall (Rockridge), Ratto's (Oakland), and North Berkeley Imports.
Suggestions in the East Bay definitely preferred, but I would consider going to SF. Thanks!
Here's more on verjus: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/27/dining/27power.html
The only place that I know that has it is the Mill Valley Market, but since I live in Oakland I'd rather not make the trip to Marin if I can avoid it.
I've tried Berkeley Bowl, Whole Foods (Oakland), Market Hall (Rockridge), Ratto's (Oakland), and North Berkeley Imports.
Suggestions in the East Bay definitely preferred, but I would consider going to SF. Thanks!
Response by poster: Yeah I saw those threads on Chowhound too, but they're all almost a decade old. E.g. Andronico's is out of business as of January.
Rainbow Grocery does typically have it (so that's very helpful!) but is currently out.
posted by crazy with stars at 5:27 PM on July 11, 2017
Rainbow Grocery does typically have it (so that's very helpful!) but is currently out.
posted by crazy with stars at 5:27 PM on July 11, 2017
The Berkeley Andronicos is closed? The SF one in the Richmond is still open, and from the East Bay you could take an excursion from BART to the N-Judah, getting off at 15th or so, depending on your sense of adventure. There's a great ramen place a little further out at 24th if you want to make a whole thing out of it.
posted by rhizome at 5:43 PM on July 11, 2017
posted by rhizome at 5:43 PM on July 11, 2017
Andronicos was bought up by Safeway. They may not have updated the branding on some stores yet (the one on Solano was rechristened Safeway Community Market earlier this year).
Berkeley Bowl or Monterey Market on Hopkins?
posted by notyou at 5:48 PM on July 11, 2017
Berkeley Bowl or Monterey Market on Hopkins?
posted by notyou at 5:48 PM on July 11, 2017
Maybe Farmstead Cheeses and Wines?
posted by pinochiette at 6:01 PM on July 11, 2017
posted by pinochiette at 6:01 PM on July 11, 2017
Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestions! Keep them coming!
I tried calling these places and they don't have it:
* the sole remaining 'Andronico's' in SF (still owned and operated by Safeway, but they haven't gotten the right to change the name yet)
* Safeway Community Market in Berkeley
* Monterey Market
* Farmstead Cheeses and Wines (both Montclair and Alameda)
So still hunting!
posted by crazy with stars at 6:14 PM on July 11, 2017
I tried calling these places and they don't have it:
* the sole remaining 'Andronico's' in SF (still owned and operated by Safeway, but they haven't gotten the right to change the name yet)
* Safeway Community Market in Berkeley
* Monterey Market
* Farmstead Cheeses and Wines (both Montclair and Alameda)
So still hunting!
posted by crazy with stars at 6:14 PM on July 11, 2017
Any Persian market should carry it, including online Persian groceries.
posted by yarntheory at 6:35 PM on July 11, 2017
posted by yarntheory at 6:35 PM on July 11, 2017
Persian Market? Call Zand's on Solano Avenue. (Er, I guess it's clear that's my old neighborhood.)
posted by notyou at 9:22 PM on July 11, 2017
posted by notyou at 9:22 PM on July 11, 2017
Not normally the first place I'd look, but the folks at the Vintage Berkeley wine shop are helpful and knowledgeable and have helped me find some out-of-the-way stuff before, so maybe they could point you in the right direction for verjus?
posted by rhiannonstone at 9:30 PM on July 11, 2017
posted by rhiannonstone at 9:30 PM on July 11, 2017
Try Amphora Nueva in Berkeley. Also, did you go to the West Berkeley Bowl? It has a bigger selection than the original bowl IME.
Please update thread if you find it...
posted by The Toad at 7:23 AM on July 12, 2017
Please update thread if you find it...
posted by The Toad at 7:23 AM on July 12, 2017
Found some at Jazeera Market in Alameda on Webster street. sadaf brand.
posted by shoesietart at 10:36 AM on July 12, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by shoesietart at 10:36 AM on July 12, 2017 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks for the continued suggestions!
I struck out on Piedmont Grocery, Amphora Nueva (Berkeley), and Vintage Berkeley.
Berkeley Bowl West does not have it, but they've contacted their seller and are going to try to start carrying it.
The Persian stores were a good call. Nobody at Zand's picked up, but both Middle East Market (Berkeley) and Jazeera Market (Alameda) said they have it (and Jazeera said somebody called yesterday -- was it you, shoesietart?).
Thanks all! I'm going to try to go to Middle East Market today to get it.
posted by crazy with stars at 3:06 PM on July 12, 2017 [3 favorites]
I struck out on Piedmont Grocery, Amphora Nueva (Berkeley), and Vintage Berkeley.
Berkeley Bowl West does not have it, but they've contacted their seller and are going to try to start carrying it.
The Persian stores were a good call. Nobody at Zand's picked up, but both Middle East Market (Berkeley) and Jazeera Market (Alameda) said they have it (and Jazeera said somebody called yesterday -- was it you, shoesietart?).
Thanks all! I'm going to try to go to Middle East Market today to get it.
posted by crazy with stars at 3:06 PM on July 12, 2017 [3 favorites]
If you need it delivered, Navarro Vineyards in Mendocino makes an excellent vintage verjus from real wine grapes. It's pricey, $13 plus $13 for delivery, but if you order a mixed case of wine and verjus the shipping is free. The verjus is so fresh that it will oxidize like wine, so it's better kept in the fridge.
posted by wnissen at 4:18 PM on July 12, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by wnissen at 4:18 PM on July 12, 2017 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Ooh, there's a bunch of threads on Chowhound if you search "san francisco verjus." Sounds like Andronico's is your next stop.
posted by rhizome at 5:06 PM on July 11, 2017