Create your perfect [virtual] grocery store
No matter what nearby grocery store I shop at I’m always a little disappointed/deflated because of the non-existence of really good, gourmet items available. I end up buying a LOT of stuff online to make up for the lack of ingredients I just can’t get at my local grocers. If you could build your own grocery store how would you make it? I would stock mine with hard-to-find goodies and plentiful fresh meat, fish, poultry etc.
Do any of you suffer from 'empty-shelf' syndrome?
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8 Comments:
I can't say that I'm much of a gourmet foodie, as I prefer simplicity over complication and I also lack the sophisticated/elitist gene, but if there's one thing I do miss out on a lot is a true market. Separate stalls, separate vendors, each specializing in their offerings with local producers and artisanal vendors being widely represented.
When was the last time you heard any say that they have to go and see "their" butcher?
jayfallon at 1:54PM on 08/13/07
All the time. I look for organics, and sometimes find them at the grocery store, but most of the time, I have to travel a bit to find a Whole Foods Store or a healthfood store that sells grocery items. And, even then, there are disappointments.
My ideal store would only carry organic, fresh foods, and more local than not. I'd also like to be able to buy baked goods that do not include corn syrup or sugar.
I could complain more, but if I turn over the coin, these stores are saving me money and calories!
hereandthe at 1:57PM on 08/13/07
RE: jayfallon
OMgoodness! I can sooo relate to what you mentioned. We were so lucky when we had this GREAT butcher whom would custom buy us stuff..we got totally spoiled... but he got 'out-sourced' because he wanted to keep his regular pay and the grocer didn't want to keep him on. -Whatta shame too! He would get us wild caught salmon...filet mignon...shucked crab etc... To this day my hubby and I regale each other of the time when he was around and how he'd get us the best cuts of everything. He [being a butcher] truly appreciated our appreciation. We miss him to this day...kinda sad really...we found out where he moved to work but...dang..too far for us....but he was a 'keeper' in the food industry...a real, hard-core, good ol' fashioned butcher.
cheffy at 2:18PM on 08/13/07
I love the layouts of asian markets, everything is simply packed, out in the open and accessible. Things are cheap because they come whole and touched by human hands as little as possible and that leaves you able to do whatever you want with the products. They always have the proper assortment of produce and specialty items and I don't know many places that can rival the butcher's counter at a well stocked asian grocer. Now if they could take that idea and clone it into different cuisines you could go to your respective cuisine's market to get your goods and not hope that whole foods has everything you need for your next curry or stir fry.
kitchenlove at 2:29PM on 08/13/07
RE: kitchenlove
An Asian market would be a DREAM to me...there are a few in the Seattle area but it's a long haul to get there. :\ Funny too, because I imagine folks think that anyone living near the Seattle area must be in heaven [gastronomically speaking] but truth be told...the commute is a nightmare and to try and drive an hour just to get gourmet, fresh stuff? UGH!
I'm not dissin' my home-town by any means...heckies, we all gotta eat and maybe the proffers from our native locales are not always idyllic but they do at least serve a basic need…I just dream big I guess. =0)
cheffy at 3:05PM on 08/13/07
The town I live in has two grocery stores, and one of them is a Super Wal-Mart. The other is a local chain indigenous to about a five parish area surrounding me. (Parishes are like Counties in other states. Vive la Louisiane'!) I went up to a manager in the chain store one day after having scoured the store and asked where they stocked the cous-cous. A blank look came over his face and he asked me "What is that?" It is to laugh. I also have to drive about 60 miles to get staples like chicken stock, block Parmesan cheese and fresh herbage.
Mine would have, the basics such as those, a fish market where the fish was actually fresh (ours are frozen or the eyes are cloudy and you can smell it three aisles away. No thanks) and a meat market with a butcher that didn't look like you were intruding when you asked to have a special cut, oh, and a good selection of wines, too. *Le sigh* 'twould be heavenly.
dukeofpornia at 3:21PM on 08/13/07
RE:dukeofpornia
Ahhhhhhhhhh. Your dream is MY dream! I think our lives can get so easily wrapped up in small packages [pun intended]... I HATE the idea of living on 'common' fare any more...I love the idea of being a bit 'edgey' when it comes to food...I feel utterly blessed and most fortunate that I have the means to try things and experiment... Food is an art (I paint and sculpt btw)...I know some folks look at food as just something to chomp down on...but not me...I think of food as a symphony...something to be relished...each bite taken in with great care and appreciation...each whiff of the heady perfume of said meal that overcomes you with desire for the first bite. Yes, Food is LOVE...food is LIFE...food [dare I say it]...Food *IS SEX* personfifed (and lasts longer too lol)!
cheffy at 3:38PM on 08/13/07
One of the Dominick's near me had a grand reopening weekend this past weekend. I wrote a blog entry about it here. Looked pretty and all, but maybe a bit pricy. I enjoyed the free samples though!
Hillary
Chew on That
Chew on That at 6:58PM on 08/13/07