mmm-yoso!!!, the food blog, is just that-a documentation of good, bad and ugly experiences, all eventually centering in on the central subject of food. Cathy is continuing this week of mediocrity with one of her recent experiences while Kirk and Ed(from Yuma) are out and about seeking something to write about. This is a short post.
The closest Whole Foods Market is 11 miles one way from home. The Mister and I don't shop there regularly, but stop in when we are in the area and do enjoy almost everything purchased there, because we buy things we can't find elsewhere and it's an interesting place.
We especially enjoy meals at the Whole Foods in store restaurants, usually before we go shopping. (I have a few more posts about those).
One day a few weeks ago, the signage in the seafood section of the store caught my eye. "Made -To-Order Poke Bowl $7.99" salmon or tuna. I had to.
Since the sliced fish was $20/lb, I knew the portion I'd be getting would be small. No problem- a snack for when we got home. You'll notice the display fish is plain/not in a marinade…
I placed my order and the nice lady working proceeded to fill a bowl with rice from a rice cooker behind the counter. She then scooped out three scoops of the tuna (a good portion), squeezed out a marinade on top of the tuna and rice and sprinkled it all with black sesame seeds, sealed and labeled the bowl and handed it to me.
It was quite heavy (and warm; fresh rice)…since the marinade/sauce had just been placed, we decided to wait until we got home to share this bowl as a snack.
Well. The poke flavorings/marinade never really stuck to the fish and it dripped straight to the rice, so the rice was seasoned with the sweet/tangy/sesame oil flavors and good on its own. The fish didn't pick up much of any flavors at all. It was fresh and good (and pretty plentiful), but the next time we were shopping, I just bought a handful size amount of the sliced fish, brought it home and made my favorite recipe. Lesson learned.
I hope your week has been better than mediocre.
Interesting. Bristol Farms used to (still might?) have a self-serve poke bar. I found the marinade both a bit sweet and bit abrasive but thought it was an interesting concept – though not interesting enough to go back and get it again.
Great recommendation! Had no idea Whole Foods had that available.
Yes, James-Bristol Farms still sells poke by the pound ($13/lb, I think) and when I am there (and want a snack), I will alternate spicy and ‘plain’ flavors when filling the container; that dilutes the sweetness and adds just enough heat. Since there are no rules, sometimes I put in 3 pieces of plain and 3 pieces of the wasabi/spicy and after I pay, have a quick snack before driving home.
Whole Foods has all sorts of interesting hidden gems within the signage and not at eye level, Q. Thanks for stopping by to comment.
Too bad the Whole food here doesn’t carry poke.
By the way Happy Chinese New Year!
Maybe ‘your’ Whole Foods does want to ensure fresh seafood, which in a way is very good, Bill. Gong xi fa cai to you, too!
Happy Chinese New Year!
This is the WF in La Jolla right? I like this location b/c they offer the salmon poke which the other locations don’t seem to offer. I’ve tried their salmon poke before (but ask for the poke sauce to be put on the side). It’s pretty good. I think their tuna poke is more expensive for some reason. Try the salmon one next time with the sauce on the side?
The photo (and poke bowl) were from the La Jolla location, Faye. I didn’t notice salmon at other places, but The Mister does not seem to like salmon in any shape or form, so unless I’m eating alone, no salmon, onions,anchovies or olives are usually ordered, because we share. I kind of like the already marinated tuna poke from Bristol Farms a lot and never had it on the side; but I will try it on the side (with salmon) next time I’m in that area.