![[FFP] Mia's Kitchen Balsamic Vinegar, 2 Count](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_t-mgr11hWh9Iee7PtMgqjlav-zpvRJ1roDwohsCBSt-QSG8-jMvB3Q97SMt0J8nd39oj6FKYkgLhk7PM97fHSDpW-0wRPSSrNB3WKP69J5l3wJgmXvOXVw0SNxZkZeC6k=s0-d)
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.
This is the best rice vinegar. Locally we can only buy it in the little bottles. Buying this gallon, even with the pricey shipping, is cheaper than buying piecemeal. So now we're set for a year or so! Still, really wish Amazon would gear up with a true online grocery store, all with Prime shipping. As regards the fulfillment, I can't honestly say. My guess is they did a good job. Our shipment suffered from a double whammy: delays from the east coast hurricane, then disappearing into the black hole known as FedEx Smartpost. Once they get their hands on an item, no telling when or where it will emerge.
