WHY Vacuum-packed fresh foie gras, French nut oils, whole French cheeses and some wine buys.

WHAT Several times a year (get on the e-mail list) this wholesaler of gourmet imported products opens its doors to the public, permitting a sometimes-chaotic supermarket sweep through aisles of plus-size food items (three kilograms of Valrhona dark chocolate, anyone?). The real gold mine is the refrigerated storage room, where the imported cheeses, hams and smoked salmon live. Bring a jacket.

WHO Hardcore L.A. foodies.