4.--Greco's: Granville Island Market Feel Without the Prices

You wouldn't think you could find Granville Island Market in the middle of a non-descript strip mall in Surrey, but you can.  Specializing in Mediterranean, Middle East and European food items, this little gem of a store sucks you in the moment you walk through the door and won't let you go until you taste and/or buy something.

It's packed to the rafters with goodies. All kinds of spices, oils, olives, cheeses and cured meats. Unique ceramic dishware for the entertaining table. Vinegars, pastas, sauces and chocolate. You can even find Guy Fieri's New York Buffalo Wing Sauce (a very yummy but not spectacular sauce, by the way; handy to have in the cupboard when you want to whip up some buffalo wings without working at it.) Chris Duxbury, the owner, is a welcoming face behind the counter, urging you to try certain cheeses or olives, happy you dropped by and non-intrusive if you just want to browse.

The really nice thing about this place is that you don't get the Granville Island Market prices along with the selection. Things are priced more reasonably to reflect the average joe's salary and yet the quality of the food is just as high as what you might find at the Granville Market. It didn't stop me from dropping about fifty dollars there for non-essentials. I expect to be less wanton in the future; it's just that the foodie in me kept screaming for more and I got caught by surprise.

Chris would like to expand some time in the future to include wines for wine and cheese pairings, though it's more of a wish right now rather than a concrete plan.

I hope he doesn't. I'll be tenting outside Greco's door.