14/10/2002 Entry: "Store > Foodchain"

Foodchain
Riverbank Shopping Centre
330-342 Church St, Parramatta

Wahhh, this store was evil. We actually stumbled into it during Carnivale weekend, walking out loaded down with groceries. *much arghing ensues* Foodchain has actually been a part of Riverbank since it opened around last Christmas, but I'd always managed to avoid walking in there. Yesterday I found out exactly why I'd been avoiding it.

If you've never been in a boutique supermarket before, it's a bit of a shock after your corner stores and your Woolworthses and your Coleses. Even the better ones. Foodchain generally has all the brand-name fare of the aforementioned stores, but usually for a bit more. Where it becomes worth it is the fresh food/deli section and the weird obscure food that I really enjoy buying!

The best parts of our haul included Swiss Emmenthal cheese (oh, how I've missed you), tangelos, limes, maple and macadamia ice cream, honey mandarins, genmai-cha and a hefty smoked salmon quiche for dinner. EvilHayama also grabbed a sourdough loaf after dribbling at the bakery section for a while. They also have the coolest Japanese grocery section I've ever seen outside of an Asian grocery, including honest-to-god white miso!! I haven't been able to find that stuff for yonkers. Part of their deli section includes a dinner section where you can either order a take-home meal or buy a pre-packed one... perfect if you're tired and stressed-out half the week like I am.

Anyway, you get the picture. If you go there expect to eat extremely well, but obviously pay a lot more!