Columnist Muriel Stevens: Sunflower offers fresh grocery experience

Friday, June 24, 2005 | 8:28 a.m.

Las Vegas newest supermarket, Sunflower Market at Tropicana Avenue and Pecos Road, boasts of having "serious food and silly prices." It does feature weekly specials that add up to serious savings and service policies that have already attracted a large following.

Sunflower Market opened its first Las Vegas store May 27. A second store is under construction at Rainbow and Flamingo. It will open in early fall. Eventually, there will be five or six Sunflower stores around the city.

Sunflower store director Darren Revell was happy to recount the story of how Sunflower Markets came to Las Vegas. The markets were founded by Mike Gilliland, who is also the founder and owner of Wild Oats markets. Gilliland's departure from Wild Oats included a "no compete" clause that lasted until 2002 when he opened his first Sunflower Market in Albuquerque, N.M.

Revell describes Gilliland (affectionately known to his employees as "Mike G") as "one of the greatest bosses of all times." Revell and many of the Sunflower crew previously worked with Gilliland at Wild Oats. On opening day of the Las Vegas store, customers were lined up at the checkout stands. One of the baggers was Gilliland, anonymous. It was a typical act of this quiet, unassuming entrepreneur.

His business philosophy says it all: "We don't charge our vendors slotting allowances or shelf space fees. Just honest-to-goodness negotiating for the lowest possible price and we pass the savings on to you."

That said, let me tell you about this different kind of supermarket. It has an in-house bakery that produces some delicious quality brownies at unbeatable prices. The selection is large, but items such as the brownies sell out daily. The interesting rolled-up whole wheat buns were perfect as a wrapper for an overlong Nathan's hot dog.

On one wall nearby the meat counter is an olive-and-antipasto bar. Included are a good choice of domestic and imported olives, baby mozzarella, roasted peppers and much more, value priced at $5.99 per pound.

Most impressive is the selection of Harris all-natural meats -- no artificial ingredients, cattle-tested for antibiotic residues, minimally processed. Not quite the same as organically grown cattle. Still, the meat and poultry cases are filled with products so tempting and well priced that few could resist their appeal.

The showcases are always fresh looking; meats are beautifully wrapped with no sign of deterioration. No liquid accumulating, no bloom on the ground meats.

"We sell out the cases so quickly," said Revell, "They always look this way, thanks to our highly trained staff's attention to detail."

Approximately 30 percent of the fruits and produce are organically grown and bought from small farmers. Not one of the four on-the-vine tomatoes I purchased for 77 cents a pound softened or molded before I could use them.

The freezers are filled with items of every description. The selection of vegan and vegetarian frozen items is extensive, and so is the Mexican selection. Boar's Head meats and cheeses are featured in the deli section.

Of course, there's a vast selection of vitamins and supplements and natural nostrums of every kind in the pharmaceutical aisles. Not to worry. If something you try is not to your satisfaction, Sunflower has a liberal return policy. Save the receipt and receive a full refund. Without a receipt, a credit will be issued.

"How would you describe this store?" I asked Revell. "We're trying to demystify the health food image by making shopping here affordable to everyone," was his response.

One final word about Sunflower Markets: Sale flyer (available at the store) prices are in effect for eight days, so shop on Wednesdays when the current week's ad overlaps with the previous week's and get double the amount of savings.

To learn more visit www.sunflowermarkets.com.

Frozen custard debuts at Baskin-Robbins: Baskins-Robbins is the first national chain to add frozen custard to its ice cream specialties. Smooth and creamy, the custard (vanilla only) is now being test-marketed in Las Vegas.

"Baskin-Robbins chose Las Vegas to test the new store concept and exclusively launch frozen custard marketwide because of the city's growing economy, vibrant community and exciting atmosphere," said Ken Kimmel, chief brand officer for Baskin-Robbins. The new concept stores feature a new logo, upscale interiors and an atmosphere "that encourages adventures in taste."

Baskin-Robbins has been part of our community since 1962. As part of the company's community commitment, Baskin-Robbins is partnering with Andre Agassi Boys & Girl Club to "serve up fun and education" by raising funds for the nonprofit organization at select new store concept locations.

Frozen custard is best served at temperatures that will preserve its creamy soft consistency. In-store customers can customize their frozen custard with choices from the wall of add-on candy toppings.

How good is the frozen custard? Very. The Sun panel of ice cream mavens gave it thumbs up on all counts.

A number of frozen custard sundaes are available, including a peanut butter-banana sandwich waffle bowl. For more info about the frozen custard or the closest Baskin-Robbins, visit www.baskinrobbins.com.

The Downstairs Bar at Viaggio's: Brent Roselli and his corporate chef, Craig Connole, have added yet another dimension to Roselli's Viaggio restaurant. Located at South Eastern Avenue in Green Valley, The Downstairs Bar restaurant and lounge is directly below Viaggio Italian Cuisine & Wine Shop.

The Downstairs Bar menu includes small plates ($5-$6.25), a variety of meat choices ($6.95-$15), including the signature barbecue beef meatballs, hot and cold fish, seafood choices such as crispy macadamia nut-crusted lobster skewers with dipping sauces, and such cheesy choices ($6.95-$12.95) as macaroni and cheese with garlic and a crunchy crust and cheese fondue.

Big Plates ($9.95-$150) include a Kobe burger and half of a roasted chicken with "lumpy" mashed potatoes and spinach.

Sweet things, too.

The Downstairs Bar open at 4:30 p.m. nightly for dinner and late-night dining. Dinner is offered from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; late-night dining from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more info call 407-8600.

Snickers new energy bar for women: Snickers Marathon Energy Bar is the first Snickers bar to be specifically designed for active women ($1.49). Of the two flavors, I prefer the Double Chocolate Nut, but I also enjoyed the Honey Fruit Nut. Each bar has only 150 calories and four grams of fat, no trans fats and a terrific nutritional profile -- fortified with 18 vitamins and minerals and 10 grams of protein, 100 percent of RDA daily value of folic acid and vitamins C, E, B12, B6 and more. Good for healthy snacking.