Does TJ still have the garlic stuffed olives? Those are the bomb.

My ranking would be:
Italian store
Vace
TJs (or maybe wegmans?(
World maker plus balducci’s

For pescatarians add the good Italian tuna and sardines. For vegetarians, an eggplant caponata along with roasted red peppers, olives, marinated mushrooms. And cheese for everybody. Provolone is good. If you can find a ricotta salata that’s really great.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where for really good marinated olives and roasted red peppers? and focaccia?

as a vegetarian, this is where the platter really makes me happy. What makes the olives and peppers really good over the ones that come in a jar (and been in my pantry since covid days)?

I think some supermarkets start with the massive jars but then they make them really really good. I still remember one mix at a place long gone with olives, cherry peppers and little cubes of cheese, magically marinated in something very oregano heavy. So it's worth checking a supermarket olive bar where they might have an olive-whisperer on staff.

I bought cherry peppers from Wegmans and they were fire hot - as in too hot for me to eat and I generally like the heat.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are you? Arrow Wine in Arlington does great ones.

I'm close enough to check it out -- thanks.

Also Italian store

maybe buy components a the Italian Store - but their catering platter is very meat heavy

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are you? Arrow Wine in Arlington does great ones.

I'm close enough to check it out -- thanks.

Also Italian store

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where for really good marinated olives and roasted red peppers? and focaccia?

as a vegetarian, this is where the platter really makes me happy. What makes the olives and peppers really good over the ones that come in a jar (and been in my pantry since covid days)?

I think some supermarkets start with the massive jars but then they make them really really good. I still remember one mix at a place long gone with olives, cherry peppers and little cubes of cheese, magically marinated in something very oregano heavy. So it's worth checking a supermarket olive bar where they might have an olive-whisperer on staff.

Also, look at Fresh Market—I’ve gotten other platters from them that were really good.

came looking for suggestions for a no meat antipasto platter. Not opposed to assembling myself but not sure what should be included. I assume Balducci's or Wegmans to start.

Anonymous wrote:Where for really good marinated olives and roasted red peppers? and focaccia?

as a vegetarian, this is where the platter really makes me happy. What makes the olives and peppers really good over the ones that come in a jar (and been in my pantry since covid days)?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the second choice, I think TJs will get you most of the way there for cheeses, olives, roasted veg. Not sure about the charc. I don't buy meat at TJs. Does anyone know if they carry all that?

The meat at tj is great for a charcuterie board.

I'm the TJ PP- that's great to know! Anything in particular? We just had tapas last night with a variety of salamis. Lots of sizes and colors. I don't like prosciutto at all so I wouldn't buy that anyway. Sometimes Wegman's has chicken "salami" which I like a lot.

They have a peppered salami and low sodium salami. I think the brand is Columbus? They also have a Spanish cured meat sampler which I really like.

just an observation but Columbus brand cured meats are widely available, including Giant (I don't eat meat so have no comment otherwise)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the second choice, I think TJs will get you most of the way there for cheeses, olives, roasted veg. Not sure about the charc. I don't buy meat at TJs. Does anyone know if they carry all that?

The meat at tj is great for a charcuterie board.

I'm the TJ PP- that's great to know! Anything in particular? We just had tapas last night with a variety of salamis. Lots of sizes and colors. I don't like prosciutto at all so I wouldn't buy that anyway. Sometimes Wegman's has chicken "salami" which I like a lot.

They have a peppered salami and low sodium salami. I think the brand is Columbus? They also have a Spanish cured meat sampler which I really like.

Spanish cured meat sampler sounds like the winner for a DIY plate. Thanks PP!

but also more charcuterie than antipasto platter

I think this was in response to the person who listed all the items at TJs but didn't know about meat. So this would just be one component. FWIW I love the grilled olives at TJs.

I would go to wegmans, look at their platters and take a picture. Then would walk 10-30 feet in the same area and buy the olives, cured meats, cheeses, etc., according to my preferences. Their cured meats (the ones in wegmans labelled containers) are good stuff and relatively inexpensive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the second choice, I think TJs will get you most of the way there for cheeses, olives, roasted veg. Not sure about the charc. I don't buy meat at TJs. Does anyone know if they carry all that?

The meat at tj is great for a charcuterie board.

I'm the TJ PP- that's great to know! Anything in particular? We just had tapas last night with a variety of salamis. Lots of sizes and colors. I don't like prosciutto at all so I wouldn't buy that anyway. Sometimes Wegman's has chicken "salami" which I like a lot.

They have a peppered salami and low sodium salami. I think the brand is Columbus? They also have a Spanish cured meat sampler which I really like.

Spanish cured meat sampler sounds like the winner for a DIY plate. Thanks PP!

but also more charcuterie than antipasto platter

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the second choice, I think TJs will get you most of the way there for cheeses, olives, roasted veg. Not sure about the charc. I don't buy meat at TJs. Does anyone know if they carry all that?

The meat at tj is great for a charcuterie board.

I'm the TJ PP- that's great to know! Anything in particular? We just had tapas last night with a variety of salamis. Lots of sizes and colors. I don't like prosciutto at all so I wouldn't buy that anyway. Sometimes Wegman's has chicken "salami" which I like a lot.

They have a peppered salami and low sodium salami. I think the brand is Columbus? They also have a Spanish cured meat sampler which I really like.

Spanish cured meat sampler sounds like the winner for a DIY plate. Thanks PP!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the second choice, I think TJs will get you most of the way there for cheeses, olives, roasted veg. Not sure about the charc. I don't buy meat at TJs. Does anyone know if they carry all that?

The meat at tj is great for a charcuterie board.

I'm the TJ PP- that's great to know! Anything in particular? We just had tapas last night with a variety of salamis. Lots of sizes and colors. I don't like prosciutto at all so I wouldn't buy that anyway. Sometimes Wegman's has chicken "salami" which I like a lot.

Chicken salami? Sick that’s basically hot dog.

Cornucopia in Bethesda