Market District @ Robinson -- Grand Opening!

Hi!

I'm so glad I had the day off work today. Last night was crazy! Despite that, I couldn't wait to get going today. (Which means that my breakfast was rushed and therefore, no photo. Sorry!) Breakfast was a Clif bar and a bit of yogurt.

This morning I decided to scope out the new Market District at Robinson! Today was their grand opening to the public and it was packed. We're talking elbow to elbow, cart to cart! My eyes were wide when I drove up and they progressed to get wider each step I took inside. This was a grocery shopping mecca and a foodie dream! I cannot being to explain how large it is!

Here's a map of the store's layout:


(Unfortunately, all of my pictures are from the Blackberry. My camera is a bit larger and with how busy and crowded the store was, I didn't feel like getting it out.)

Once I got my bearings, I began to wander around. They have a HUGE cafe selection consisting of an Indian food station, sushi, paninis, a salad bar, prepared foods, a hot and cold buffet, and more. It's like an entire restaurant.


Needless to say, I started to get very hungry!


Check out this cold buffet selection! Various kins of couscous, quinoa, beans and rices, and more.

There was an interesting cooking demonstration going on by Chef Ariane Daguin from D'Artagnan. I would have liked to listen longer, but as previously stated, it was quite crowded. What I really liked about this Market District is that they will continually be offering workshops, cooking classes, and other similar events. There are a couple classes coming up in November that I wouln't mind registering for!


There were all sorts of samples and tastings through out the store. First I tried a ginger soda that burned my throat! So what did I go in search of? Mmmm... the CHEESE!


This Market District carries 400 different cheeses from all over the world. It was one of the most incredible displays of cheese varieties I've ever seen. And their cheese wheels were so big!

Even The Cheese Lady was there with one of her gigantic cheese sculptures of two year old age cheddar cheese with some samples. (Which I may or may not have circled around again for seconds. *wink!*)


Other samples from the day included Kona coffee, green tea, pumpkin cake, raspberry chocolate truffle, and the most delicious: crab cakes. Oh my goodness, those crab cakes were to DIE for. They were giving out the recipe and it was such a simple mixture but so so good. I could have eaten a whole plate.


Their produce selection really impressed me. I liked how they had the typical sections of produce that you would expect to find and a bountiful organic selection, but I liked how they divided items into groups and labeled them by regional cooking suggestions. For example, "For Latin cooking" and "For Asian cooking." It was a great way to discover new items.

There was also a cool germination station showing the development of lettuce:


Their health and wellness section was also very good. My eyes kept pouring over the granola bars, protein bars, and other delicious snacks. They even have a nutritionist that works on site to answer questions for you.

After my browsing, I decided it was time for lunch:


From the cafe section I picked out vegetable sushi which consisted of carrots, cucumbers, and avocado. Oh, it was so good!

Here is a view from the upper part of the cafe looking down on just the cafe's food selection. Keep in mind, this isn't even a part of the regular grocery store:


Look at all those people! I'd say they were having a successful grand opening!

But before I left, there was one more thing I needed to explore:

The sweets! They have their own little candy shop in the grocery store with all of their products made on site!


Look at that, you guys. And all of that in this picture... it's organic.

There was also a gelato counter, so of course I got in line! I ordered a small caramel coffee gelato:


It was a tough decision between that and the roasted almond pear. It was good but very, very sweet!

The only sad thing was that this beautiful grocery store is a bit of a drive from my house! I wouldn't be able to come here on a regular basis for my shopping. And I suppose I can't complain with a Whole Foods and a Trader Joe's one neighborhood away. Yet, Market District's selection was so large that it may be worth it for 'Burgher's who live further away to come once a month at least to get the items you can't easily find in other stores. But definitely, the people in Robinson Township are VERY lucky!!!