My love for Whole Foods blossomed over a summer living in New Orleans. One afternoon I stumbled upon the adorable little market on Esplanade - it was an intimate, homey store that appeared like more of a mom-and-pop shop than the big ware-house versions we see today. I was hooked. KF and I would go there and get this amazing pesto dip, which I have never been able to recreate, and the makings for our summer hit, "Super Nachos," a dish of chips piled with beans, avacados, tomatos, peppers, herbs, whatever that we ate nearly every week and became more and more elaborate with each rendition.
Anyhow, that love reigns. I love the little market with high-quality, original offerings, excellent prepared foods, friendly service. I try to limit my shopping at the generic Safeway and Shoppers because those places tend to bleed out the pleasure of the experience for me.
The Baltimore Sun published an interesting comparison of the area's four specialty stores. I have my own opinions of Whole Foods vs. Wegman's vs. Fresh Market vs. Eddies.
What are yours?
2 comments:
To me, Wegmans is not only the far superior market, but it's also the best place on earth. It has the Whole Foods shtick plus the poor man's SuperFresh, all wrapped up in one megauniverse. I love thee. Also, I don't have the others up here.
I'm inclined to agree with you, mk. Love Wegman's olive bar and their produce is better than Whole Foods - you are guaranteed to be able to get fresh fava beans and Asian pears at all times. But something about Wegman's feels very suburban to me, almost creepy. Not that I don't shop there, as it is oh-so-conveniently located next to a Lowe's and an Ann Taylor store...
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