Reporting live from Chicago: Wholly Loving the Lincoln Park Whole Foods

I love Whole Foods. To be clear, I have always loved Whole Foods, even before being BLOWN AWAY by my recent outing to the newly established branch in Lincoln Park, Chicago. Not only is this store a mecca of all things that we love about Whole Foods (great selection coupled with great education) but they have the coolest little sub-businesses in place. For instance, interested in a glass of beer? Stop by the pub-style bar near the entrance. Itching for a cheese course? Plop down at their super-hip little wine bar and treat yourself to a flight of wine and cheese. Jeff and I enjoyed the “Off the Beaten Path Whites” flight (best was the Verdejo – one of my new favorites) and the “Cheesemonger’s Choice” cheese flight, which included Smokey Blue, Reserve Gruyere, and Camembert. They coupled it with candied pecans and a wonderful fruit drizzle. All in all, a nice little repast to distract me from the arduous task of selecting which Sopressata I wanted for my Stromboli tomorrow. Oh – and did I mention there’s a food court thing with BBQ, Taqueria, Sushi, Soda Fountain, etc.? Impressive to say the least. One word of advice to our local Whole Foods: get to Lincoln Park and check out your super-fly big brother. Maybe you could at least add the soda fountain? I’m jonesing for a milkshake.

Next stop: Alinea. Oh my.