We Talk Shop

I love grocery stores. On my last trip to New York, I was just as excited to wander around Dean & Deluca as I was SoHo or Chinatown. Locally, nothing beats Publix or Fresh Market. You never know what specialty brands or new items you may find.

At one local Publix, I can always count on fresh tasting, value-priced sushi — most of the 12 mouth-filling pieces cost less than $6. All the sushi ingredients come from Southern Tsunami, but it’s how the sushi chef prepares them that really makes the difference. At one Publix where I frequently shop, I can count on variety, and should I want something different than what’s available, the chef will prepare it for me fresh while I shop. This is why shopping at Publix truly is a pleasure. (And those weekly buy one, get one free deals are a pleasure too.)

You can pick up a Southern Tsunami menu in the store or take a look at their online menu. They even provide a complete nutrition chart of all the items they offer — even the salads and the condiments. Party trays are also available. (My favorite is the ocean crab roll.)

Try it: You’ll have a hard time finding a better value for sushi, especially considering the number and size of the rolls. And I’ve found that not all Publix sushi is equal; I tried the cucumber roll at another local store (because there was nothing else of interest readily available and no sushi chef in sight), which was a disappointment as the crab was more rubbery than flaky.