You don't need to be a health nut or environmental
fanatic to enjoy the benefits of organic products, and the folks at O Store have
made the extra effort to provide Shanghai an outlet for both organic products in
their supermarket as well as some fine-tasting food prepared with all-organic
ingredients in their bakery and
restaurant.
You are what you eat.
The staff at O Store is very helpful and attentive, they've really taken the
time to ensure that quality and presentation standards remain high while keeping
the costs competitive. Organically grown products can sometimes run slightly
higher in cost but a quick sampling of some of the products in the supermarket
proved that prices at O's are very competitive, especially with regards to
other, much larger import-centric supermarkets in the city.
You'll find a great variety of certified-organic products ranging from fresh
produce, pastas, juices, wine and vitamin supplements. An in-house bakery
produces great croissants, baguettes and other breads, as well as cakes, tarts
and desserts, all using organic ingredients. Fresh and packaged herbs,
seasonings and spices are a really good find at O Store as the organic varieties
truly pack a flavor-punch compared to their conventionally produced counterparts
- cinnamon sticks, basil, ginger... The aromas and flavors of the herbs and
spices are simply more concentrated, and this of course translates to some great
tasting food!
A lunch buffet is prepared and served in the mezzanine-level restaurant
weekdays until 2pm but get there early because at 48rmb it is very popular. The
salad bar alone is abundant with all the rich colors of fresh grown produce.
Different soups are also available, minestrone and more, and the hot-food
section has such balanced offerings as zucchini, eggplant, tofu, noodles, meat,
chicken, and even organic pork. Deal!
Besides the buffet, the O Store restaurant has an a-la-carte and set menu
section. There are 4 set menus: Italian 68; Pizza 78; Vegetarian 88; and
Mediterranean 118. Each set allows a selection of a soup and salad, main,
dessert and drink.
Big winners on the menu Veggie Pizza -- home made thin crust with really
tasty mozzarella, zucchini. Orange and Carrot Gazpacho soup -- refreshing,
fragrant, cool. Smoked salmon salad with dill and arugula! A Tomato and
Bocconcini salad doused in a mild pesto and topped with a single leaf of basil
-- it's the real thing, just as basil is supposed to taste! Finally, Lamb that's
succulent and light, not too oily or heavy at all, with a great crispiness along
the edges -- it simply explodes with indescribable flavor! Dessert, raspberry
smoothies and a chocolate decadence will positively finish you off. The O Store
ingredients really make the difference here sespecially the all-organically
grown seasonings which really accentuate the flavors.