All-organic
(smartshanghai)
Updated: 2006-10-05 09:34

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.