Organic produce + well sourced ingredients + aggressive monopolisation + controversy + higher prices = Whole Foods.
Don't get me wrong. I like Whole Foods and regularly go to the Kensington branch to buy bread and edamame beans while my husband grinds his own coffee. We don't get much else though as we can't justify paying a pound for a carrot. After we've picked up our bits and bobs I wander around looking at the plethora of incredible looking produce (I've been known to spend hours in there). I often stop by the oils because they always have bread to dip and try. You could honestly skip lunch and just pick on the many samples they put out. Bit naughty.
On the top floor of this mammoth market are the restaurants. It's very much like a food court. Counters of every kind of food you can think of: Pizza, Oysters, Mexican, Lebanese, Japanese, Spanish, Vegetarian, Raw etc... It's all there, but in keeping with Whole Foods prices it's all pretty expensive. Also keep in mind that they don't have this variety in all their stores so it's worth checking the size of the store before heading out to eat. This translates whether you're in England, Canada or America.
I walked around trying to decide on what to eat. I opted to go to Mexico and had the substantial Beef Salad which was served in a Tortilla Bowl and came with Rice and all sorts of other fixings (I would tell you how much it cost but I've blocked it out of my memory - I think around £10, ouch). It was perfectly nice and I liked the fact I could scoop up the Guacamole in the receptacle it came in.
If you're not in the mood for a sit down meal then you can grab a soup, salad (that you construct yourself), sushi, sandwiches etc... But again, bloody expensive.
I know that Whole Foods has been surrounded with controversy in the past but fundamentally I don't care. Whether it's true or not the fact remains that they have brilliant produce, rooms dedicated to cheese, staff that know what they're talking about and where else can you grind your own nut butter?
Whole Foods
10/10
The Barkers Building
63-97 High Street Kensington
London W8 5SE
0207 368 4500
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
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