While some of us may back off from offal (though both Joe Palma at Westend Bistro and Amy Brandwein at fyve report their sweetbreads are moving off the menu), those who like a good steak and kidney pie can find the necessary lambs' kidneys at Halalco. If that sounds like a forkful too far, choose the Halal duck. Be warned: it's whole duck, like you find in farmers' markets across Europe. That's to say, beak to feet. But no feathers.

Halal meat has been slaughtered in the manner prescribed by the shari’a, the body of Islamic religious law. But a growing number of non-Muslim cooks are buying Halal meats, particularly chickens, saying that the slaughtering process makes its flesh more tender.

This Halal supermarket is like a holiday to somewhere south of the Bosphorus. By the entrance is a huge clothing display of hijabs, jiljabs, abayas, kurtis and men's overshirts. There are Arab rugs, luggage and a huge range of cookbooks - many in English, of Arab and Muslim cuisines. In the grocery department you'll find aged Shahzada Basmati, the longest grain in this type, puffed rice, chapati flour, whole wheat atta and more, for making chapatis, naan, puris and dhosas. In one display is a stack of desserts from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, like gulab jamun, kala jamun, russ gulla. Plastic sacks of dried herbs - some of them very unfamiliar - nudge packs of different grains and pulses.

Along with common fruits and vegetables in the fresh produce section are cactus pears and small Persian cucumbers that are good for turning into pickles. You'll find bottled yogurt soda and so much more you're tempted to buy out of curiosity. Why not?

Halalco, 155 Hillwood Ave, Falls Church, 703 532 3202.