Stores & Markets in Milpitas

Deep in the heart of the Amazon jungle hides the hidden gem of Brazil: the açaí berry. Globetrotter and wellness enthusiast Roy came across açaí bowls during his travels there, and upon his return home, he and wife Tara immediately set out to gather the best recipes to emulate the dish. They were motivated by a desire to spread the health benefits of the super food, which include weight loss, boosted energy, and finally learning how to pronounce "açaí." Their journey led them to found Vitality Bowls, where they churn out a menu of bowls and smoothies, each oriented around the açaí berry. Cooks complement the starring ingredient with fruits, veggies, and nourishing seeds such as flax and guarana, all organic and locally sourced whenever possible. Additionally, Vitality Bowls' treats are free of frozen yogurt, ice, preservatives, trans fats, and added sugar.

Although Crystal Springs is small by grocery-store standards, the flat white storefront, set with a royal-blue arched entranceway and windows, appears somehow palatial, beckoning passersby into its den of delicious delectables. A wide selection of local and organic produce is available for plucking. Navel oranges start from the bellybutton at $0.49 per pound, and small Fuji apples start at $1.09 per pound. Keep it savory with russet potatoes ($0.49 per pound), or move on to not-so-naturally occurring breads and cheeses. A variety of fine cheeses and olives are ready and waiting for munching from the hand. The olive bar starts at $3.99, Bulgarian feta cheese begins at $4.79 per pound, and Turkish goat cheese starts at $7.99 per pound. Fresh-baked bread is delivered every morning, with warm, steaming loaves beginning at $3.29.

Since 1955, the family behind Save More Meat Market has been filling their display cases with quality cuts of USDA Choice meat, now sourced from the local Harris Ranch. They stock everything from meatloaf to short ribs and shrimp meat, all of which stand to be transformed into hearty dinners in the comforts of home. Handy animal diagrams hang behind the counter, informing patrons where certain cuts of meat are found on the animal, such as chuck beef—located near the cow's neck—and rib meat—located on the cow's hind legs.

Pacific Foods stocks its icy racks with fresh seafood, lamb, and goat meat from California and global locales, creating a travel agency for landlocked taste buds. Knowing appetites, like billy goats gruff, come in multiple sizes, Pacific Foods proffers a variety of lobster weights, enormous tiger prawns, and wild-caught scallops and calamari. In addition, Pacific Foods' buyers study sea charts and almanacs to understand where lobster and Dungeoness crab is in season during all months, providing fresh crustaceans no matter the time of year.

Since 1933, The Food Mill has sustained and satisfied area eaters with a healthy and organic approach to its inventory, a plethora of produce, house-made baked goods, nutritional supplements, and bulk items. Old-fashioned breads and decadent cookies emerge fresh from local ovens; tempt hungry paparazzi on scooters with up-close views of The Food Mill's famous cookie bars ($2.89 for a dozen). Seasoned staff members stand by with answers and advice about the store's wide array of nutritional supplements, such as Food Mill-brand Vitamin D-3 soft gels ($4.69). Meanwhile, organic fruits and vegetables fetched from farmers nourish bodies the traditional way.

More than 80 stainless steel Italian fusti containers line the walls at Amphora Nueva, ready to dispense samples and full bottles of aged balsamic vinegar and single-varietal, extra-virgin olive oil harvested from farms in both hemispheres. The shop’s globe-spanning selection process isn’t just for variety—it also ensures freshness year-round, in accordance with the old saying “It’s always olive-oil season somewhere.” The curators of this bounty select Italian white and dark balsamic vinegar as well as unique specialty oils, including roasted butternut squash, pumpkin and Italian truffle.

Once they’ve added them to the casks, they post harvest dates, acidity levels, and polyphenol counts for each product to give an idea of its antioxidant content and flavor strength. Each staff member touts a comprehensive understanding of the chemistry and uses of olive oil and vinegar, always happy to share recipe ideas to jazz up everyday dinners or science fair volcanoes. They’ll also help put together gift sets and wrap any bottle for free.

The business, whose retail shop stands on a sloping street lined with trees and cottage-like storefronts across from the Claremont Hotel, has been in business for nearly a century. Beneath its high ceilings, however, the atmosphere harkens back to far more ancient times, with a marble tasting counter and oil containers balanced atop the rough clay of the giant, authentic amphorae that give the company its name. Guests stop in not just to do some shopping but to take in a laidback learning experience—the San Francisco Chronicle found a visit to the shop “as much fun as it is educational,” and manager Nate Bradley reported to Diablo Magazine that they’ve occasionally “had people spend two hours in here just exploring.”