Bâlehoo

WHERE CAN I BUY AVEDA PRODUCTS?
Years ago, I was introduced to Aveda shampoos and conditioners by a friend who said it was “like having totally different hair.” I’ve since lost touch with him, but my relationship with Aveda continues. After months of searching, I finally stumbled across a source for Aveda just a few blocks from my house. L’Addresse Coiffure, www.ladresse.ch. Located at Leonhardstrasse 3 in Basel, this hair salon carries a full range of Aveda products from shampoo and conditioner to skin products, candles and makeup. They also give great highlights and haircuts (See “Beauty” in FAQs for other English-speaking hair salons).

WHERE CAN I BUY ICE?
Yes, we Americans buy ice! And thankfully there is a resource in Basel to do so - although not in the supermarket. Crushed ice can be purchased from Bahnhof Kuhlhaus in Basel. 20 kg is CHF10. The phone directory listing is Frigosuisse AG, Munchensteinerstrasse 93, Basel, 061 337 4111. The people working in the office often don’t speak much English, but they are very friendly and helpful (and, luckily “eis” sounds a lot like “ice”).

Finding them is a bit of a challenge, but if you are driving from the direction of the SBB, you will make a left at the first light past the M Park entrance. There is an old pale grey house. You’ll drive past that house and down a small hill into the back of a warehouse area. Keep driving and you’ll eventually see 93 coming up on your right. It is a simple box-shaped warehouse.

WHERE CAN I BUY CHEDDAR CHEESE?
Even if you’re not a former cheese-head like me, knowing where to find cheddar cheese in Basel comes in handy. Recently it has been showing up in some COOP cheese counters (such as the one in Oberwil) but for consistent supply, the answer is simple: Globus, on Marktplatz. It is at the cheese counter, in both white or orange. In fact the food section of the Globus department store on Marktplatz offers up many interesting items including pumpkim pie pack, a full supply of Japanese and Thai ingredients, and small containers of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.

WHERE CAN I BUY ASIAN INGREDIENTS?
From frozen fish and seafood to exotic fruits and vegetables and condiments like fish sauce, oyster sauce and spiracha hot chili sauce (the one with the rooster on the front), your best bet in Basel is an Asian supply store. There are several Asian supply stores located around Basel. (There is a large one right near the SBB.) Note that some Asian ingredients are available in the food section of Globus on Marktplatz.

WHERE CAN I BUY GRAHAM CRACKERS?
The Asian supply store in KleinBasel is also - oddly - a good source of Americana. There you’ll find items like graham crackers and sodas like Root Beer and Dr. Pepper.

WHERE CAN I BUY ROOT BEER AND DR. PEPPER?
The Asian supply store in KleinBasel is also - oddly - a good source of Americana. There you’ll find Root Beer and Dr. Pepper as well as other American items. Dr. Pepper is also sold in the food section (underground) of the Manor in Kleinbasel.

WHERE CAN I BUY BBQ SAUCE AND A1 SAUCE?
I may be alone in my love of A1 sauce, but many people miss the delicious tang of American barbeque sauce. Good news for all. Both can be found at Enothek in Kleinasel. Also a great wine bar, head to Enothek amd get a glass of wine while you select from two flavors of Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce (12 CHF), A1 Sauce (14 CHF), and any number of other interesting “international” condiments. Read more about Enothek, here.

Kraft BBQ sauce and other American products (PopTarts, Tang, Cheerios) are also available at www.tasteofamerica.ch. There is a 50 CHF minimum for delivery plus shipping and a 4CHF packing fee.

WHERE CAN I BUY PEANUT BUTTER?
Despite Swiss urban legends to the contrary you can find peanut butter at any COOP. It is usually located in the same area as the jams, jellies and Nutella. However, if you want American brands, hop in the car and head to the Geant in St. Louis, France. There you’ll find Skippy peanut butter in smooth and creamy or chunky. You can purchase JIF peanut butter at www.tasteofamerica.ch/. There is a 50 CHF minimum for delivery plus shipping and a 4CHF packing fee.

WHERE CAN I FIND BROWN SUGAR
Brown sugar is one of the few items that isn’t just playing hard to get in Basel - it actually IS hard to get. The one source that we’ve found so far (besides having Mom bring it over when she visits) is www.tasteofamerica.ch. There is a 50 CHF minimum for delivery plus shipping and a 4CHF packing fee.

WHERE CAN I BUY BAKING SODA?
If you’re looking for giant yellow boxes of Arm & Hammer baking soda at your local COOP or Migros, you are out of luck. The Swiss dole this stuff out like it is cocaine. For cooking, look for small packets (about the size of a teabag packet) in the baking section called “Bicarbonate de sodium.” It is usually located near the yeast items. For larger-scale use (cleaning, refrigerator freshening, etc.) you can purchase a 16 oz box of Arm & Hammer baking soda (4.50 CHF) from www.tasteofamerica.ch. There is a 50 CHF minimum for delivery plus shipping and a 4CHF packing fee.

WHERE CAN I BUY AMERICAN BEER?
Beer around Europe and in Basel is usually great. But sometimes you want a taste of home. You can easily find brands like Budweiser, Sam Adams, Anchor Steam and Corona at bars like All Bar One. They are also for sale by the bottle at Paul Ullrich, a wine and spirits shop a block up from Marktplatz cattycorner from the Hotel Basel. There you’ll also find items like tequila (and margarita mix), Bailey’s Irish Cream, and rum.

Beers Around the World, located at the SBB also has an excellent selection of North American beers. Corona is also available at some COOPs, such as the one in Alschwill.

WHERE CAN I BUY FISH AND SEAFOOD?
Fresh seafood has become increasingly available in Basel. There is a fish stand at the daily market on Marktplatz. Globus and Manor (my favorite) also have a nice fish selection. There is a large Migros fish market near Aeschenplatz. Geant in St. Louis, France also has a large fish selection.

In addition to these fresh fish resources, good quality frozen fish is available at any number of Asian food stores in Basel. There is a large one near the SBB.