Groupon.com

Just a quick note about my new favorite website... Groupon.com offers daily coupons for restaurants and attractions in your area. I don't mean to sound like an advertisement, but they usually offer pretty good deals. (Nothing gimmicky like, "free appetizer when you buy two meals." More like, 60% entire cost of meal.)

I've been pinching my pennies lately so when I saw today's deal I flipped out: $30 worth of groceries for $15 at 17th St. Market. Holy cow! 50% off at my corner market? Yes, please.

I highly recommend this site, and you can use me as a reference:

http://www.groupon.com/r/uu4813363

Jammie Dodgers

I'm being a little lazy with my British food Saturday. Today I'm snacking on Jammie Dodgers, my latest purchase from 17th St. Market. Hey, if Matt Smith can stall the Daleks with these little biscuits, they're good enough for me.

Dim Sum

Sundays at Gee's Garden used to be a tradition of mine until most of my asian foodie friends moved away. I'm crazy for dumplings and Gee's has so many varieties. Gee's also has the best sticky rice I've ever tasted- steamed in a lotus leaf.

When I want to satisfy my dim sum craving I usually wonder over to 17th St Market and get some frozen dumplings. I found some beautiful ones recently-

With the exception of one fishy variety, they were very tasty.

17th St Market

Just down the street from me, tucked away in a nondescript warehouse, is 17th St Market. It's pretty much the best place in southern AZ to find international foods. There's also a wide selection of local products, from fruits and veggies to bakery items.

When you first walk in the fishy smell is a little overwhelming and for good reason- 17th St has the largest selection of fresh fish in Arizona. I haven't actually bought any yet, but Victor the fish guy says he'll be there when I'm ready!

17th St is a little eclectic, there are international gifts dispersed throughout the market as well as a music store attached. I've heard rumors of cooking classes taking place there but I have yet to stumble upon one.

I love 17th St for a lot of reasons but my favorite thing is always coming home with a new discovery. This week's find? Dusseldorf style beer mustard.