New Sam's in Highland Park

I've been to Sam's huge new store up north twice now, and am extremely pleased with what I've found, as well as the service. First trip was primarily to scout, late last Sunday afternoon; I picked up a nice non-Freixenet Spanish bubbly for an elaborate Spanish dinner I'm making tomorrow. Yesterday's trip was to try out the cheese department; I was attended to by a very nice and knowledgable young man who let me sample at least a half-a-dozen of the dozen of so Spanish cheeses they had in stock, and who guided me to a good additional purchase of some anchovy-stuffed olives to go with the three cheeses I selected (and some Jamon de Serrano). Found some fig paste of Spanish manufacture to accompany the cheese, too, a nice addition.

What was best about the encounter was his obviously unforced love and enthusiasm forwhat he was doing. We discussed couscous, Polish grocery stores, Devon Avenue, the Marketplace on Oakton, the Thai Grocery, and who-knows-what else. Great fun. I bought more of the same bubbly, too.

The store is on the corner of Park and Route 41. They also have a wine bar, a demo kitchen, a nice selection of Vosges chocolates and ice cream, a Riedel stemware boutique, an outstanding selection of hard to find food magazines - something for everyone. Oh, and they make sandwiches, too. What more could a person want? (oh, yeah - not having to pay Cook County sales tax!)

[b]Sam's Wine & Spirits
1919 Skokie Valley Rd. (Rt 41, north of Lake-Cook Road)
Highland Park IL
Store Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 9am-9pm
Sunday: 11am-6pm

Phone:
847-433-9463