Grocery Store Discoveries

Maybe it's because they are the workhorses of the food world, but grocery stores don't get a lot of love. People get all excited about craft beer, or the boutique cheese they found at the farmer's market, but few rhapsodize about the place they buy peanut butter and milk.

I'm genuinely fond of mine. It doesn't have everything (no store on earth can do that), but it has a broad produce section that includes daikon and dragonfruit in addition to staples like apples and cabbage. I couldn't do without it.

So this post is about wonderful things I've found at my local HEB.

SoftSoap Wild Basil & Lime Handwash

I usually prefer unscented soaps; scented soaps often remind of candy mixed with fruit salad. But this stuff is enough to make me reconsider. It's herbal and citrusy, and the scent doesn't last for long, so it's a refreshing little burst of scent, but you don't have to live with it all day.

Ines Rosales Sweet Olive Oil Tortas

These are wonderful. Crisp, sweet, but not overly so. One of these is a lovely little snack with a glass of wine or an cup of tea. But they are made with olive oil, so napkins are a must. They come in almond, Seville orange, cinnamon, and rosemary & thyme. Almond is my favorite.

Roses

On sale this weekend. Aren't they gorgeous?

A visit to Phoenicia

The first time I went to Phoenicia Specialty Foods, I was with a friend looking for bulk jordan almonds (almonds encased in sugar) for a wedding.  My friend bought her almonds and left. I stuck around and browsed, because I love markets, and Phoenicia is a really cool market. Houston is not short of specialty grocery stores, but Phoenicia specializes in foods from Eastern Europe and the Middle East, so it’s always a journey of discovery.

Candy that I've only heard about in books

Phoenicia used to mean a trip to West Houston, a fascinating and worthwhile trip, but still a serious drive. But they have recently opened a downtown location, on the ground floor of a ritzy apartment building near Discovery Green. And since I was in the neighborhood, I thought I’d take a look.

The new one is prettier; they are definitely going for a more up market vibe.  The Westheimer location isn’t ugly, it’s just basic.  It is more about grocery shopping, the new location is more about eating. The deli is prominent, which is smart, since they are so close to Discovery Green. You can grab something to eat and head over to the park. There’s also a little seating area, if you want to eat on location.

Freshly baked pita bread

I love the bakery, because it has a conveyor belt, and I get a kick out of that. (Yes. I know. I’m twelve.) There is a good selection of international foods: jams, pickles, cookies and candies of all kinds. Don’t miss the upstairs, which has spices, oils, and wines, along with a selection of international kitchenware and for some reason inlaid chess sets and hookahs. If I was going to go shopping, I’d still make the drive out to Westheimer. The old store is bigger and the selection is better. But if you are downtown already, Phoenicia is a good place to stop for lunch and an impulse buy.

Anybody need a Polish cheese lady?

Of course I bought some stuff:

• Buffalo jerky - for my father’s birthday
• Zorab’s olive oil dipping mix – because it’s great
• Walnuts - because I haven’t been able to find any for months, and
• Rose petal jam – just because