My niece and I checked out the new Whole Foods market that opened near us. Imagine, if you will, two balls let loose in a pinball machine – that was us – bouncing from one department to the next with lights flashing and bells ringing in our heads.
To be perfectly honest I’m a little conflicted about Whole Foods – I think it started out with its heart in the right place – a grocery store with organic options, great local produce, out of this world deli department but I think that they may be manipulating me – like they figured out what my demographic wants in a grocery store and they are calculating in the delivery of that product. Or maybe they just honestly want to bring me fresh, wholesome food and if they happen to make a bazillion dollars in the process so be it.
Is that an entire display of Vosges chocolates?
We didn’t really have time to do the place justice and it truly was overwhelming, all the sights and smells but I did manage to buy a few things. A couple of Asian pears, some hummus, some whole grain crackers and a Vosges Red Fire Bar.
Dark chocolate with ancho and chipotle chilies and Ceylon cinnamon. There is a method to eating a Vosges chocolate bar. You can’t just be popping it into your mouth willy nilly (ahem…). No – first you need to take three deep breaths in order to fully engage your senses ("Three breaths??" my Dad says – "I’ve been breathing all day – what do I need to take three more breaths for?"). Then you take a good look at your chocolate bar. Appreciate the red flecks of the chilies, the glossy sheen. Then rub your thumb over your chocolate bar to warm it slightly and to release the scent (by now certain members of the family have finished off their first piece and are fishing around for another bite "Wow. Was there something spicy in there? I could have sworn it tasted a little bit spicy."). Snap off a piece. Then take a bite and break it into small pieces that spread across your tongue. Press it into the roof of your mouth. Breathe (again with the breathing). According the fine people at Vosges you should detect subtle nuances in the flavor; leather, dairy, vegetables, flowers, toasted tobacco, caramel….
Okay I’m mocking it a little but it is fabulous chocolate. And there is something irresistable about chocolate and chilies as far as I’m concerned.
This Whole Foods has a Gelato bar. Hand made soaps that you buy by the slice – it looks like cheese or some kind of nougutty confection. And a frozen dog food section. Hmmm – their target group must be more of a dog loving kind than cat owners…. I didn’t even get a chance to look at their fresh meats and seafoods.
I’m going to have to go back when I have more time to browse. The guy at the checkout said that you can taste anything you want so I definitely need to go back and give the Gelato bar a bit more attention.
I tend to agree with you, Andrea. I think the concept was pure when the store began. It sounds like overkill. Still, I would not pass one up (a WF store, that is). A gelato sounds good, too.