Where in St. Louis can I get enough basil to make pesto?
Have you tried the Farmer’s Market on Watson Road in General Grant shopping center? It’s also called Sappington Market. That would be my first stop, or maybe the Farmer’s Market in Kirkwood on Kirkwood Road and Argonne. You can probably get it at Soulard Market too, but that’s a drive into the city on a Saturday morning. I usually buy ready made pesto at Trader Joe’s on Manchester and I-270. How much do you need? I buy fresh herbs at Dierbergs on Tesson Ferry, but I only need a small amount at a time. Call Viviano’s in Fenton before you battle the skinny streets and Hill traffic. I’ve never seen fresh basil there, but maybe they have something frozen. I went to Volpi’s on Saturday and was crammed in that tiny little store for about 40 minutes to get 2 jars of Mostarda. Viviano’s doesn’t carry that.
The best place to buy fresh herbs is Penzey’s Spices, but they’re in Maplewood. On occasion, Sam’s club carries fresh herbs. It’s a rare occasion, though. I’m assuming you want fresh basil (of course). Try Whole Foods, or even Shop N Save. Restaurant Depot may have some as well… it’s like Sam’s Club for restaurant owners… but they may have a type of deal where you can pay the “extra” 10% to buy there like Sam’s Club does. I have a Sam’s and a Restaurant Depot membership… but I’ve only had to go to the Depot once. I’d also try Schnucks, or even Dierbergs.
