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British supermarkets have improved beyond measure when it comes to meat, cheese and international essentials in recent years, but they remain absolutely feeble when it comes to greens. Giant, glossy, identical strains, flawless and flavourless, dominate the shelves, and the organic sections are seldom better. Wilting herbs and dying vegetables are pre-chopped and packaged, ensuring they cease to be edible within a couple of days of purchase (disastrous over the festive season), while fruit is habitually and hopelessly underripe. Markets - especially farmers' markets - are the best place to find really tasty veg, but there are also an increasing number of shops sourcing interesting varieties from small producers, with flavours that remind you just how your satsumas, roast potatoes and sprouts ought to taste.
 Daylesford Organic Pimlico 44B Pimlico Road, SW1W 8LP Lady Carole Bamford's 'Daylesford Organic' is an impressive organic superstore, with a café attached. You could do all your Christmas food shopping here, and be sure of getting great puds, meat and cheese from happy, healthy animals, and even pick up a few beautifully-presented gifts on the way. The true highlight, however, is in the fruit and vegetables section, where seasonal produce comes straight from their kitchen garden. It's here that you'll find the kind of earthy, amusingly-shaped veg that EU regulations and squeamish supermarkets came close to eliminating from UK tables, and that makes you realise that most people live their whole life without finding out what a real potato tastes like. Address: 44B Pimlico Road, SW1W 8LP Phone: 020 7881 8060 Timing: Mon to Sat 8am-7pm, Sun 10am-4pm Christmas Opening 2008: As usual. Early closing Wed 24th December (Christmas Eve) 4pm Nearest Station: Sloane Square Tube Daylesford Organic Pimlico - Information   Andreas Georghiou and Co35 Turnham Green Terrace W4 1RG You can get your entire Christmas sorted on Turnham Green Terrace if you're careful, with a world-class butcher, fishmonger and deli (alongside brilliant gift shops, a proper traditional toy shop and a master-chocolatier just up the road). Still the stand-out must be this miraculous, organic greengrocer, whose dedication to the finest-tasting produce will revolutionise your sprouts, roasties and chestnut stuffing. The shop underwent a refurb over the summer and has emerged looking better than ever. With an emphasis on minimising packaging and low carbon footprints Andreas and his team can also help keep Christmas guilt-free. Address: 35 Turnham Green Terrace W4 1RG Phone: 020 8995 0140 Opening: Mon to Sat 7am-6pm Christmas Opening 2008: As usual. Wed 24th December (Christmas Eve) early closing at 2pm Nearest Station: Turnham Green Tube Andreas Georghiou and Co - Information  The Natural Kitchen77-78 Marylebone High Street, W1U 5JX Hand-planted organic vegetables from Sunnyfields Farm arrive at The Natural Kitchen every morning, to be sold to the well-heeled residents of Mayfair - and to plenty of other people who are more than happy to travel for food of this quality. They specialise in British, seasonal veg - in other words just the kind of thing you'll want to put on the Christmas table. The spacious shop is also a delight and includes a new gift area, open from 6th November this year, as well as the cafe upstairs and butcher's shop within the store. They also hold regular events where you can talk to chefs and suppliers about why the food tastes so good, and how you should prepare it. Address: 77-78 Marylebone High Street, W1U 5JX Phone: 020 7486 8065 Timing: Mon to Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-7pm & Sun 11am-6pm Christmas Opening 2008: To be confirmed Nearest Station: Baker Street Tube The Natural Kitchen - Information |
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