Ideal Bite

Back in 2001, when dot coms were more doom than boom, my employer at the time laid off all but four of us. They closed the office and told us we could work from wherever we wanted. My coworker Scott and I took "wherever" to mean "Paris" and my so-cool boss gave us the go ahead.

We rented an apartment in the trendy Bastille district – complete with French windows looking out to a French courtyard (I felt so French). On our block was a butcher, a bakery (mmm…macaroons), a mini farmer's market where I could get my fruits and veggies for almost nothing (they were still on francs), and a market that was not at all "super." It was small and carried all my packaged needs – yogurt, pasta, French wine…

What I loved about this place were the lack of choices – one yogurt brand, one cheese brand, one pasta brand (tho' lots of wine options, natch). It made my trip so easy - no blank stares at rows and rows of cereal boxes and wasting time deciding which was healthiest, tastiest, cheapest. I'm all about choice, but I'd rather spend my time worrying about the more important ones in life, like what wine I wanna drink.

Since then, I've had a soft spot for smaller grocers and walk out of my way - past the supermarket one block from my house, which tempts me with discounted donuts as soon as I step in the auto doors - to shop at one with fewer items but mostly healthy picks. I know exactly what I want and where to find it and I'm outta there in 20 minutes or so flat.

-Senior Editor Theresa, off to pick up a French baguette and say oui...