Spicebar
Locally owned and operated by the Chapley family,
Adelaide's Finest Supermarkets is not just a retailer selling quality food, beverages and household products. It is a place where you can come together, meet for lunch or dinner, have coffee, read the newspaper and then pick up your groceries. I have visited both their Frewville and Pasadena stores and it's indeed a rewarding experience. Although quite common overseas, these kinds of shopping trips are rather unique here in Adelaide.
Spicebar
The spicebar greeted us as we stepped into the store. There is a haven of fresh Asian, European and Moroccan spices. They are sold in bulk, so you can easily just buy the amount you need for that particular recipe without having any wastage or leftovers sitting in your pantry for months. Packaging is also reduced this way especially with their Pack & Go reusable container program which encourages customers to purchase a container, fill it with spices and then exchange it for a new container when all the spices have been used up. Sounds like a good idea, doesn't it? The less we rely on single-use plastics the better I reckon.
Pack & Go reusable container program
The fresh produce section is just as impressive. A lot of their fruits and vegetables come direct from local growers. We often find half-price specials and there are hard-to-find Asian fruits such as durians on sale every now and then too.
Cheesebar
We then arrive at the cheesebar where, like the spices, you can simply buy what you need by having the cheeses cut to your requirements. If you're as passionate about cheese as I am, then their collection of local and international cheeses will surely inspire you.
Seafood
Next to the cheesebar is an abundance of savoury and sweet pastries in glass-front displays as well as an assortment of breads on the counters. We tend to spend a fair bit of time here meandering around the breadbar and patisserie. The freshly baked sour rye rolls, dark rye loaves and pizzas are among my favourites.
Blue Zone Wellbeing Kitchen
Partnering with South Australia's seafood industry, the raw crustacean bar offers fresh quality oysters and crustaceans every day. Their fish are bought directly from local markets and filleted and prepared on site. The store also has a range of grass-fed and organic meats, handmade sausages, local yogurts and milk, gluten-free and vegan foods, and kosher products.
Flowerbar Patisserie Kitchen
Now, for healthy eating, the Blue Zone Wellbeing Kitchen is a must. Inspired by Greek Island Ikaria, one of the world's few blue zones, this hub helps to nourish your bodies with nutritious cold-pressed juices, dairy-free smoothies, ready-made meals and sweet delights.
Cakes
Or, try one of their delicious cakes at the French-style Flowerbar Patisserie Kitchen. With counter-to-ceiling glass, you can sit and watch the patissiers at work while enjoying your individually served petit gateaux. At the Pasadena store, you can even reserve a table for high tea. Yes, that's right, high tea in a supermarket. You're welcome to read about my high tea experience last year
here.
Flowerbar Pasadena
Mr Nick's offers a unique dining experience at both stores. Their food menu changes constantly based on seasonal produce. Their bar is stocked with boutique wines and cocktails and, of course, there's coffee too.
Native flowers
Sustainability is at the forefront of what they do. They work with KESAB on various projects. They were the first to use compostable BioBag produce bags back in 2020 and now they've also introduced strong reusable BioBag carry bags. Cardboard trays are used for fresh produce while paper bags are available in the breadbar and patisserie.
High tea
If you happen to be near Frewville or Pasadena, do check these stores out for yourself. And, I hope they will meet your expectations just as they have exceeded mine.
Compostable BioBag produce bags
