LAND OF THE BRIE

Margo Kaufman may well live in the unreal atmosphere of Gelson’s, Bristol Farms, Pavilions and the like (“Dude, We’re Not in the Ol’ A&P; Anymore,” April 21). But we hoi polloi live in the mundane world of Vons, Albertson’s and Ralphs.

Not the West Hollywood Ralphs, where Kaufman finds a “more upscale” menu, but the La Habra Ralphs, where, when a popular item was missing from its place on the shelf, the deli manager snarled, “We never carry that item.” But five weeks later, it was back in stock.

And the Rowland Heights Vons, where the Nabisco “stale date” code is so impenetrable that stock five and six months past final sale dates could still be found on the shelf.

My hat’s off to Kaufman and her supermarket shopping enjoyment. As for me, I’ll take the good ol’ A&P; any day of the week.

Richard J. Arthur

Rowland Heights