Austin's Whole Foods Market

The flagship store at the corner of Sixth and Lamar is a feast for the senses. We got out today and headed to my favorite place in town. Parking is in a garage under the store and elevators take you up to the Whole Foods experience. This Saturday it was filled with shoppers, probably lucky locals who don't have to wait two years between visits. What a great place! It has the usual beautiful produce, wines, cheeses, cut flowers, aged beef, high quality staples and so forth that ours does, but one of the biggest draws here are the many small bistro-like areas where you can get anything to eat that you could possibly want. There is a smoothie bar, Bowie BBQ, a taco "stand," a place for vegan cuisine, Candy Island, soup and sandwich, sushi and other Asian fare, a seafood diner, Sweet Bites, big and little pizzas, and I cannot begin to remember the rest. There are stools around most cooking areas, small tables and chairs, and outside there were umbrella shaded tables for those who want to enjoy their meals there. Inside the mixed aromas were heavenly. Coffee beans were roasting and wonderful breads were baking in hot ovens. My, how I wish I could braid a challah like the ones there. Or make a nutritious Seedilicious loaf if that is what it was called. Samples of coffee and tea were being offered as were nutty cheeses, healthy bars, the various breads, and ice cream made from coconut and rice milk. I bought a bouquet of yellow tulips for Jessica, this nice packaged salad for myself and a few other little things. If you go to Austin, Whole Foods downtown is a must. Somehow the world seems a little brighter in there!