Address: (Edit Info)
5017 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ, US
Page Views: 156
15 positive - 0 negative = Net Rating (15)
Positive (15)
Negative (0)
Posted on: 2008-08-05
I treat myself to shopping at AJ's every once in awhile. They are expensive, but so high quality! I usually frequent the Camelback & 44th St or Pima & Pinnacle Peak location(s) but I was in the Camelback / Central area tonight, so I went in to pick up a few things. Actually, I went in to use the bathroom, but $37.94 later, I walked out with the ingredients for our dinner in my hand!
Really, I want to say THANK YOU to Marty. Who's Marty, you ask? Marty is the guy who works behind the meat counter. He also happens to work behind the seafood counter. He also happens to have experience as a chef. Marty was incredibly helpful and friendly to little old me who had no clue what to buy for dinner let alone how to prepare it!
Marty chose 3 perfect pieces of halibut, and I could tell he was excited when I asked his opinion on how to prepare it. I knew I could trust him when he asked me all of the important questions including the following: -Who was I cooking for? -What was I planning on serving with the fish? -How did I plan on cooking the fish? I knew I was in good hands when he revealed to me that he has experience as a chef...
So, I followed Marty's advice, and my brother, BF, and I enjoyed a marvelous, home cooked meal! We had baked sweet potatoes, asparagus, and halibut... and I know you are curious how I prepared the halibut.
Ok - below is what Marty told me and it came out perfectly! I lightly drizzled olive oil onto the fish and put it in the oven on 350 for approximately 8 minutes alongside the asparagus which I drizzled with olive oil and salt also. While in the oven, I concocted a tomato/calamata olive relish that I put on top of the fish while it baked for the final few minutes.
The boys enjoyed it immensely. We had a nice bottle of Cakebread Chardonnay to go along with it. Perfection!
Last night I made a totally bad ass salad here at the salad bar. It had great things in it like chick peas and hot peppers and nuts. It totally rocked and made my night.
Other good things about AJ's:
The beer case. I'm a beer drinking chick and I always find something new and interesting to try.
The cheese case. Despite my lactose intolerance I LURVE cheeses of all kinds. AJ's does not disappoint.
If you need to pick up flowers it is very easy and convenient to create your own arrangement here. This is good to know for special occasions, parties...etc. (HINT HINT: Buy me flowers!!!) I also like to buy a fresh single stem or two and whip up a simple yet funky piece for the nightstand or dinner table. It just looks so fresh and chic and smells nice.
This is a smaller, older, happier Aj's. A go-to spot for produce if you can't get to the CenPho downtown market or the Guadeloupe Farmer's Market. Very helpful and unpretentious service for wine and liquor. Good for pizza-by-the-slice (I like the veggie).
Hot tip: Flowers are half-off from 4:00 to 6:00 on Friday. They have some really cool single-stems, so you could do something snazzy on the cheap.
Fun fact: Chris Bianco used to make pizzas here in the late '80s, when the store was called Euromarket. Talk about nostalgia -- you could grab a Bianco pizza and eat outside with only a ten minute wait!
This place is like a Whole Foods mixed with Trader Joe's. They have such a wonderful variety of fresh items and local items! I luv to buy their local salsa's there!! If you are in the area...pick up a bottle with the two bumble bees on the front (can't remember wat the name is) but it is yummy stuff!!!
Yes it is pricey... Lets just get that out of the way now. AJ's is expensive. They do however provide the service and selection to back it up.
AJ's has excellent quality meat and produce (though I normally purchase those items elsewhere), a diverse selection of less common grocery goods, and a phenomenal wine/liqueur/beer selection. Their employees are very courteous and well trained and the head of each department knows their product very well! If you are looking for something that is new and exciting, this is the place to find it.
AJ's also serves food and drinks throughout the day. Their food is good but it is the green tea that has me coming back again and again. If you like coffee, AJ's serves Illy espresso, a far superior product to anything Starbuck's has offered.
As a final note, guys, this is the place to buy flowers for you honey. I grew up next to one of the most well known florists in Phoenix (who has appeared on radio shows and in magazines) and when she can't help me because she is to busy, she sends me to AJ's. Their Flowers are always fresh and in very good condition!
This is the store we shopped when we lived up the street. I like the size of the store, unlike other stores this size such as Trader Joes which drives me crazy. I really liked the choice of veggies since there is nothing better than a good salad or side dish. The meat counter has a great selection of meats and fish along with a few products put together for you and just cook. If I could not find somethng they often would order it for me and that was wonderful. Good cheese selection too is great. One thnig I did not usually enjoy was the pastry, it looks great but little flavour. And as for the prepared food counter, I looked often and thought it looks great but never bought anything. I preferred to cook. But most of all this store is always so well kept and organized with very helpful employees.
This review is actually not about the store and instead about the pizza. I think the first time I ordered the pizza, I was just really hungry and I saw they had pizza. After the first bite, I new this was going to be one of my "go to" pizza places. I will take a cheese pizza above anything they have to offer. It is thin, cheesy and so NEW YORK style. I usually get myself a pizza and a Henry Weinhardts bottled Root Beer and I'm set. Throw away that Domino's number and give AJ's a call!
I rarely make the trip through the construction riddened Camelback Road and congested Central Avenue; but when I do make the trip, it's worth it!
Although the entrance of this place is on the opposite side of the bakery, my nose always finds it first! i don't know if it's the oh so purdy danishes and treats or the if it's the smell of all these things baking!! hmmmmmmmmmm...
either way, I can't leave without a cream puff the size of my fist! I always look at the deli but nothing has ever jumped out at me. I LOVE the cheese section! i want to sample and buy everything!! I've had caught myself daydreaming on how I could possibly steal one of the large wheels of REAL parmesano. The wheels are still turning on that one! But alas, I haven't the balls to pull of that great caper.
But I do have the balls to talk a little shop with the butchers who are always helpful and pretty funny once you repeat that one joke from the Chris Farley classic Black Sheep. I am always tempted to ditch the puff for a well marbled ribeye steak. However, my limited funds usually keeps me faithful to my sweet cream puff!
Onwards I go to the Italian "shoppe" that doesn't really speak to me. I've had it and I totally didn't write home about it. But the produce!! oh my gosh!!
My head whirls and spins about all the possiblities when I browse through the produce section. The organics that will spoil the second I bring it home... the tried and true pure produce that is bright and fragrant and in a good way! unlike some of the stuff that can be found in the more run down Food Citys in this town.
I really like being inspired by food to make even better food. And quality really plays a huge role in inspirational food. So go, and press your nose up on the bakery's glass display case showcasing it's decident sweet goods and dont' shoplift any cheese! Talk shop with the butchers and be inspired by all the products in the store. Even chat up an employee or two, inspiration loves company! Have fun, take your time and don't forget you wallet!!
I don't care much for Basha's and I really can't stand Food City (see Phoenix Ranch Market), but AJ's is how the Basha family does it right.
My friend Bobo and I didn't even flinch yesterday when our total for two ribeye steaks, asparagus spears and corn cobs came out to nearly $50, because we knew we were getting high-quality grub.
I don't come here often these days, probably because I used to come here all the time when I dated some pretentious A-HOLE a while back who preferred AJ's at all costs. But I do come here when I prepare for dinner parties I'm hosting, go to brunches or just want to feel nostalgic for Bristol Farms and Gelson's from back home.
You can never go wrong with ANY of their food whether its croissants or desserts from their boulangerie (which is French for "I'm a fancy bakery you can't afford, you chump"), the butcher block, pizza counter or cheese deli.
But my absolute favorite part about AJ's is their wine selection and florist area. I was gratifyingly reassured when I showed up to the home of Kristin S one day with the same exact cava, that lo and behold, we both religiously drink. And when you're on the run you can always be sure they will have a trained wine sommelier help you in a pinch and chill a bottle for you in minutes.
If you're looking to be romantic and get laid, this is a one-stop shop with the fresh fruit salad in the deli case, cheeses, wine, chocolate selection, flowers all under one roof -- plus Castle Boutique is just one block over. Score!
UPDATE (11/26/07): If you're craving a home-made pizza, you can buy pizza dough at this particular location. It's from their little corner "Italian bistro" where they actually make pizzas. Imagine that. They have a simple menu too, and you can call in your order. That's cool. What's even cooler, though, is buying the dough and make your own special pizza, which I did. The crust turned out great!
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Here is where I'll find my new favorite bread, AJ's brand. It's multi-grain, only 70 calories a slice with 6 grams of protein in each delicious cut. I couldn't ask for more.
But, since I sometimes go shopping for more than bread, I know you can find pretty much anything at this AJ's, especially when making unique and exciting dinner entrees. From cheeses to nuts to produce and wine, you'll find what you need here. If you have any trouble, just ask. The people working here are really quite friendly. I actually enjoy going to a grocery store - GASP - so I can tell you that this place far outshines other retailers. Of course, it far outprices them, too. But, if it's a special affair or you just don't care, then this AJ's is for you.
I love how it's in walking distance too, situated in an easy-access plaza that offers other interesting treats, too, like Booster Juice and Sweet Tomatoes.
Oh, did I mention this place has a great beer selection? You can buy the 6-pack, sure, but for those nights when you're uncertain of what you're craving, you have the option of buying a single beer - mix and match, if you will - and not choking on the cost. Single beers here are cheaper than what you'll find at the bar. Granted, although it comes chilled, you can't open it on the spot. Wouldn't it be great if you could? (Beer tasting, anyone?!)
If you're not fond of beer (my god, what's the matter with you?), then peruse the liquor or wine selection. You can even find Mexican tequila that isn't your typical Jose. As for wine, I have always loved AJ's selection. Now I love them even more after discovering my new favorite Italian meritage. Cheers!
Gourmet markets, to me, are like candy shops to a sugar freak. "Hello, my name is Thomas. And I am a FoodAholic." There I said it. Do you feel better. Huh? Oh. Sorry. Didn't mean to get so defensive. But how can you defend AJ's? How? How I ask you? Ok, so it's REALLY expensive. And, yes, they should provide a blood donor center at the entrance to give cash on the spot for shoppers plasma. I HATE huge markets. Fry's too big. Safeway just right. AJ's just right and then some. The produce section is perfection. Not mounds and mounds of produce you know is wrinkling and rotting more than Bea Arthur in season 6 of the Golden Girls. Cute little baskets hold just enough fruit and veggies to select from and not too much where you know it's all riddled with germs and spiddle. The meats and cheeses? Oh, my! The filet (at a whopping $34.99 a pound) is worth every bite. Of course it'll be a year or so when I would pay that much again. Hello? Blood donation station idea! The ready made food is dee lish...curry chicken salad and brocolli delight to name two. Yes, it' s called brocolli delight. My gay ass did not name it. I would have called it beautiful broccoli. Just rolls off the tongue better. I've never had a cart wobble...see Fry's review...they ride smooth and apparently are good for the enviornment. Flowers, baked goods, dishes....AJ's. It's here. I'm queer. Get used to it.
It's hard to find something bad about Aj's. The food they carry is unwaveringly good, the coffee they serve never disappoints, and they have one of the best florist shops in town.
It all comes at a premium, but one that is almost universally worth the extra cost.
I highly recommend stopping by on Thursday's, when they do outside BBQ lunches. Great side dishes and great sandwiches all around. I just wish there was more than one Thursday per week.
Always a destination when the family is in town from Colorado. As for me, I'm spoiled, just three short miles north on Central. You just can't beat a breakfast of a lovely hot Chai latte and a bagel and cream cheese...all for about $5. LIke I said, I'm spoiled :)
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