Oy. Maybe it was the wrong time to go there - Sunday night at 6 pm - but it seemed like every single person in a one mile radius decided to go out and have a drink and shop at Mariano's that night. We wanted to run in and pick up a few things and have a glass of wine, as we've never been to the 'bar' there.
Took us about 10 minutes to get up the parking ramps and into the lot (pro tip, park in the lot in the back, it'll save you time). As we're coming down the escalator, we hear jazz music - live, loud, jazz music. I don't have anything against jazz, but this was loud.... And of course, they're playing right at the wine bar where we wanted to stop and have a glass before picking up a few things.
At the wine bar, the bartender was busy making some hipsters their 'mixology customized cocktails' that of course required 5 minutes of mixing 50 ingredients, painstaking measuring, and some crushing and chopping, before she could pour 2 glasses of wine for us. All the while the jazz trio above cranking out tunes at exceptionally unpleasant (for a grocery store, anyway) levels.
Onto pick up our 10 or so items - place was packed so there was a bit of manuevering around carts, strollers and one senior in his 'rascal' scooter - and to the ridiculously crowded check outs. All were open and staffed with checkers, but only one or two baggers. (Pro tip, go to the line that has a bagger, even if it looks longer. Trust me, it's quicker.) Checker was extremely efficient, and was cranking the conveyor belt and register - one star for that - without a bagger. (Note to grocery shoppers - there is absolutely no law that states you can't help bag your own groceries!)
Upon seeing the lines at checkout, my husband went to get the car while I waited. He was waiting outside after my 10 minutes or so in line. We went to Red Lion on Rockwell for a peaceful glass of wine....
I've been here on weekdays, too, and the parking situation is a mess then, too. I've found that Mariano's can be mysteriously out of items (cereal, whole wheat bread, cone coffee filters). But by and large the people who work here are pleasant. I'll come back occasionally for specialty items, but no way would I ever make this my regular grocery store. Trust me, after 20 years of grocery shopping for my family, no amount of wine bars, sushi stands, or made to order sandwiches will ever mask the tedium that is grocery shopping. read more