Pavilions

Pavilions on Balboa Boulevard is the little supermarket that acts like a neighborhood clubhouse. Walk in and the first thing that hits you is citrus, the grapefruit display glowing under a soft strip of light, a smell that pairs oddly well with surf wax from outside. There is a butcher counter that treats beef like a craft object, boutique California cuts wrapped on request, and a deli with sandwiches worth detouring for. Staff are not anonymous barcodes. There is Daren, who runs the floor with an almost theatrical cheer, and Robin, who will sell you an Almond Joy with the kind of smile you remember. It is cleaner and more polished than a corner market, and yes, it costs more. Locals swing by for morning coffee from the in-store Starbucks, residents pick up prime steaks in the afternoon, and tourists pop in for last minute sunscreen and snacks. Notice the grapefruit section by the door first.