[tortoise]

I haven't shopped regularly at a Safeway or Albertson's for quite some time now. I shop at Lunardi's (Walnut Creek). They have a full-service meat counter and deli which are far superior to the other supers. Their meat and fish is much better, as is their produce. The prices are lower than I find at Albertson's and Safeway.

I actually shop at Lunardi's all the time, but I find that they are more expensive than the local Safeway (which is quite nice) most of the time. Lunardi's does have a much better selection of high-end goods, which is important when I am putting on dinner parties and generally doing a lot of my gourmet cooking (which is only occasionally). For price and quality, it neatly splits the difference between fabulous but expensive grocery stores (like Draeger's) and run-of-the-mill neighborhood supermarkets like Safeway or Albertsons. Since there is two Lunardi's relatively close to me, I use it fairly regularly.

I will say that for meat and fish, Lunardi's is vastly better than the local supermarket.

[.38sw]

Their meat and produce are more expensive than Safeway, but I find that many other items are less. The things I buy regularly, like bread, milk, salad dressing, baking supplies, etc, are less expensive. I don't mind paying more for the meat and produce, because the quality is much better. I should have qualified my statement about Lunardi's being less expensive - it's probably a wash, all things considered.