Grab your best canvas bag and head over to this largely organic gem. Earth lovers with Earth-hating-automobiles will be happy to know there's free parking right outside this second-floor grocery, and those on-foot only need to trek three minutes past North Avenue's Whole Foods for cheaper eats (note: the elevator ride up is the slowest ride on Elevator Mountain). You'll find the famed products you know and love, like Two-Buck Chuck (try the Argenta Malbec instead, a ridiculous steal at $3.99) and Trader Joe's Light Whipped Cream Cheese (perhaps not as famous as the bargain wine, but it should be).

Every natural aisle is teeming with goodies: addictive Fage yogurt, 99-cent Balance Bars, wasabi cashews, incredibly well priced vitamins, organic ketchup, frozen buffalo burgers, soy chicken nuggets, mochi...the list goes on until it doesn't. Cheese lovers should take advantage of Trader Joe's dairy bounty: A hunk of tasty blue cheese can run you as little as $2.30, and a wedge of brie is perfectly paired with the store's crusty demi baguettes. Be sure to swing by the built-in samples counter (walk straight to the back from the entrance) where you'll be tempted by goodies you didn't plan on buying...but probably will because they look so good.

Centerstage Reviewer: Kate Schwartz