Our Very Own Safeway

When I was in my twenties, I never thought having a house with sidewalks out front would be my greatest heart's desire. But then I had kids, with all their wheeled things, and suddenly it became an obsessive need. Likewise, when I was living in the suburbs and I had a Safeway, a Lunardi's, a Nob Hill and a Whole Foods within a few miles of my house, I never thought a Safeway in my neighborhood would be what would make my life complete. But then I moved downtown and the Lucky closed down (not that the downtown Lucky was a place in which you'd want to spend any length of time) and suddenly I had a hard time pasting together all the ingredients I'd need to make most recipes in my repertoire and I became obsessed with the desire to have a Safeway or even a Whole Foods here. As of yesterday, I got my Safeway and you can see from the picture how ridiculously happy I am. This is not your ordinary Safeway, it is called The Market. There is underground parking (how urban!) and pretty displays and a comfortable place to sit and have coffee and a real butcher and meat counter and all kinds of boutique touches. The place was bustling today and everyone seemed as happy as I was to be there, although maybe most people were just excited about the free pound of bacon.