Draeger's Posh Palace of Food

Strolling around the Draeger's in San Mateo can be overwhelming. It's the Mother Ship, and there's a lot to take in. Produce, condiments, baked goods, flowers, meats, seafood ("45 Varieties!"), plates, knives, tea pots and even picnic kits are beautifully displayed on two stories. This can lead to sensory overload and questions of, "What is a gingerbread brick? Why would I spend ten dollars for one?" The clientele is well heeled, and fit, and perhaps think nothing of spending $12 and up per pound for "first class" cheeses. This is not a Trader Joe's.

The olive oil section is a good example of the variety of products Draeger's carries. It took up three shelves and was ten feet wide. This is near the saffron and truffle display case, which is kept under lock and key. Again, everything looked great, but the lock and key was something I hadn't seen before.

I'm most envious of the products in Draeger's Old Country Smokehouse and Sausage Kitchen. How tempting does a Hawaiian Teriyaki Sausage with pineapple sound? Finish it off with some short cakes or cupcakes, and it's oh la la.

Comments

[Tea]

I love Draeger's as an experience--like a vacation from real life--but really, it's a bit pricy for real shopping. I love the upstairs though, the book nook and cooking class annex.