[FFP] Mia's Kitchen Balsamic Vinegar, 2 Count

Background:

First, let me say I am NOT a foodie or a balsamic connoisseur. However, I do love balsamic vinegar. As I am also frugal, I usually buy the mid-priced (cheaper) stuff at my local grocery store, so I usually have it with oil on my salads, as the variety I usually get needs the oil to mellow it out a bit. I knew there were better ones out there, but I am always afraid to spend too much on something I haven't tried my frugal nature shudders a the thought of wasting money on something disappointing. And with balsamic, it can get really pricey.

I discovered Mia's Kitchen balsamic on a recent trip staying at a friend's house. I was immediately in love with this balsamic, and a bit sheepishly ended up using my friend's entire bottle over the course of two weeks. Before I left, I bought her a replacement bottle at her local Safeway, and vowed to seek it out when I got home.

I used it on my saladsit was great alone and I didn't need the oil to mellow it out. I also used it on fresh peaches and strawberries, and as a sauce straight out of the bottle for pork. All delicious, and miles beyond what I had been used to.

When I got home from my trip, I was disappointed that our local Safeway didn't have it, but was delighted to find it here on Amazon and for less than I had paid for my friend's replacement bottle bonus!

I gave it four stars because of the condition it arrived in. When I opened my shipment, it seemed hastily packaged (there was very little cushioning material beyond the bottle's form-fitting hard paper cocoon), and one of the bottles had leaked a bit on the packaging, which alarmed me at first.

However, no glass was broken, and while the neck of the bottle was a bit sticky, the seal and the contents of the bottle seemed fine, and I've gone through about half of the bottle with no ill effects. I didn't notify the company, so cannot attest to the customer service, except that it did arrive well within the expected time frame.