Aku Eats Oahu : a closer look : Umeke Market, a closer look

Umeke Market, a closer look

Aloha!

9/29/08 - We've all heard the hype about the new Whole Foods healthy superstore by now, yes? All the retailers were scared, thinking it would close down shops like Down to Earth, Vim 'n Vigor, and the subject of today's closer look page, Umeke Market. Of all these shops, you'd figure Umeke would have the hardest time of all, as Whole Foods opened almost next-door in the Kahala Mall. Judging by our visit today, however, sales don't seem to have been affected at all! Three banzai's for the little guy!!!

Umeke is found at that little shopping center, alongside Great Harvest Bread Company and Petland, right at the beginning of the H-1 freeway - or end of Kalanianaole Hwy. Though it sits on the one-way street accessible via Kalanianaole, you can also get to the shopping center from the other side by turning or continuing mauka (mountainside) up Kilauea avenue, then quickly taking a right on a tiny road immediately before the Kahala YMCA. Many also park in the open, dirt lot on the corner of Kilauea and Kalanianaole, but I have no idea on the legality of that situation. Do so at your own risk.

Parking aside, Umeke is a cool, hip-little health food store. Workers are super-friendly and you can always get your questions answered about anything from vegetarian sources of omega-3's to black foods (not black as in African-American!) to pro-biotics to Acai and Goji berries. There are supermarket-style shelves of supplements, groceries, ready-to-eat foods, natural household cleaners, personal health care products, and a fresh produce section in the back.

One section that's been generating quite the buzz is the deli-style counter, which, like Down to Earth, serves healthy options. Unlike Down to Earth, however, it doesn't stay strictly vegetarian. In fact, this is one of the few places on the island that you can order free-range buffalo, ostrich, elk, and venison stir-fry's or burgers, all from lean cuts that cater to the wild at heart. You'll see one of these in just a bit...

Besides that, they also have a wide variety of other meals to suit every taste angle. How about konbu/shiitake, organic salmon/lentil, or spirulina musubi's using brown rice? Or perhaps hummus w/raw veggie, turkey w/apricot chutney, or grilled veggie w/pesto wraps or sandwiches? Fruit smoothies without all the sweet yogurts and processed sugars? Ahi gyro's? Zucchini fritters? Spinach and wild rice casserole's? Curry lentil dahl? I could go on and on. Lucky you, I won't. If you want to see more offerings, just check out their site at www.umekemarket.com.

The point is, if you have a healthy slant and shop accordingly, Umeke Market should become a regular part of your routine! The roomy dining room has plenty of seats to enjoy your meals in a clean, comfortable, and fun atmosphere.

Wifey and I got right down to business, chomping down, first of all, on a few paper bowls of different veggies, all ordered by the pound.

First up was a coleslaw, and we're not talking mayo-loaded, sweetened mixes from KFC! I don't think this one even came with mayo - it was infused with lime and herbs, its crunchy texture bursting with a slightly tart, slightly spicy goodness. As with sashimi or sushi, it's hard to beat the taste of fresh, raw veggies prepared in a way that accentuates their natural flavors. Addicting, they are!

And then there were beets - glistening, deep, red peels of that delicious root vegetable. I have often cooked beets, always simply steamed and then sliced, but this one tasted a little different, almost like it was raw, or possibly blanched, and then soaked in some kind of brine or other slightly-flavored liquid. I say that because my beets, after steaming, come out soft, but these kept a crisp consistency and was also a bit more mellow in flavor - perhaps a preparation that involves extracting at least some of the sugar that beets are so high in? But then again, just thinking out loud, is all, so don't take anything I've said as fact. Just know that this buggah is ono!

Before getting to our last veggie, have you ever noticed the soft drinks in health food stores? Designer brands of the beverage world, they are! Ain't no Coke, Pepsi, or Hawaiian Sun here, that's for sure. Ok, the Hansen's key lime twist is just on the high end of supermarket status, but Metro spearmint water?

Even so, despite the fancy and sophisticated undertones of some of these drinks, I guarantee you, they made this spearmint stuff by mixing water with a drop or two of mint essential oil, and then marking it up 500%! Goes with the territory, I guess. Health food does get faddish and pricey, as we all know - even when it comes to drinks...! Fun, fun!

Our last veggie was easily the best, a dish that could have been prepared better only in one other way - by giving me more! I could have eaten about five of these portions, but then again, at just over $3, this order of kale was one of the most expensive green salad offerings, which made it buffer enough to control myself. It was mixed with small slices of carrot and red cabbage, sprinkled with garlic, and tossed in a delicious, tangy, slightly sweet vinaigrette.

Not sure how much stock you put in the various superfoods, but, along with blueberries, broccoli, noni, walnuts, beans, and many others, kale is right up there with the best of 'em. With its firm, crispy, super-dark green leaves, you know it's as healthy as anything you can get from the garden. It is a member of the cruciferous vegetable family, which also includes cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and collard greens. They are all well-known for being rich in cancer-defeating phytonutrients, a kind of loose description for a host of plant-derived chemical compounds that are continually being discovered.

To me, they are always touting various studies and breakthroughs for these superfoods, phytonutrients, and other relatively recent buzzwords, but you know what? Just about every edible fruit or vegetable is a superfood, and just about every edible vegetable contains phytonutrients! They are all super-good for you! So, while spending big money on expensive, trendy items like blueberries, acai, pomegranate, or kale, at the same time, don't forget less flashy, tried and true names like oranges, apples, bananas, and head cabbage!

And speaking of trendy, how about the wild meats that Umeke Market has to offer? As stated earlier, they include buffalo, ostrich, elk, and venison. I asked our kind counter-helper to recommend one, and she heartily suggested buffalo, which should more accurately be called bison. You know - ta-tanka? Kevin Costner? Anywayz... bison is actually a whole lot healthier than beef in many different ways, especially the fat factor, where it holds a 70-80% advantage over a cow! I mean fat content, that is. According to the National Bison Association (NBA), which is working with the USDA to formulate an official grading process like there already is with beef, bison is also about three times less fatty than a skinless chicken and about four times less fatty than pork! Cholesterol levels? Over-all caloric content? All lower than beef, pork, and even chicken, as well. Wow. I wonder how ostrich compares?

Furthermore, bison meat always comes from free-range animals that are never fed hormones, something the NBA feels very strongly about.

Well... enough about the health benefits already - how 'bout the taste?

Ooops, sorry - I guess I shoulda taken a cross-section of the meat instead of showing you what looks like a big blob of provolone cheese! Just too hungry, I guess!

Getting back to the taste, buffalo is a bit gamier, with a little bite at the end, kinda like lamb when prepared well (lamb not prepared well is inedible, to me!). It's a bit difficult to describe. I don't think I'd care much for it alone, but with the sprouts, lettuce, tomato, condiments, hearty whole-wheat bun, and thick-cut potato chips, it turned out just fine. Good, even. It's something I'd want to try just to say I've tried it, but not something I'd particularly crave ordering again. For health reasons, yes, but I have yet to taste any meat that can beat a cow for a great-tasting burger. If anything, I'd try a bison steak for the same reasons that led me to have tried the bison burger - a little walk on the wild side!

Umeke Market is a great place for a healthy snack or meal, and at the same time it's always fun to browse the aisles for the latest health trends, or even get advice through one of the friendly associates there. I've had a few very informative talks with some of them, and if they don't know something they can always look it up online or get it through other sources right there on the sales floor.

Umeke Market, brah - no ka oi! Check 'em out! Before leaving, I'll leave you with a final shot of the entrance.

And check you out next time, too, yeah? Take care and thanks for stopping by!

Aloha!

Aku

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