We're like magpies this week, gathering ingredients and treats from all our favorite specialty food stores in anticipation of company this weekend. After all, the only thing better than making a great new food discovery is sharing it with loved ones. A little schlepping is worth some delicious meals.
As we flitted from store to store, adding to our shopping bags, we wondered if there are even more great foodie shops that we're missing out on. What are your favorite NYC specialty food stores - the places where you never fail to walk out with something intriguing and lovely?
After the jump, some of ours.
This week, we've picked up some baked and fresh ricotta at Blue Apron Foods in Park Slope, heritage pork and fresh bread at Fort Greene's new Greene Grape Provisions market, and we did a big shopping trip at the Park Slope Food Coop. We're also hoping to get to Despaña later this week for some interesting charcuterie and tidbits to add to our Easter brunch buffet.
Other places on our must-shop list:
• Kaluystan's
• Murray's Cheese
• Sahadi's
• Stinky Bklyn
• Brooklyn or Queens Chinatown
• The array of shops at Chelsea Market
• The meat markets and produce shops in Greenpoint
Where are you shopping in NYC?
Photos: Urban Rustic and Despaña.
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I particularly like Blue Apron - though it's a small store, they have a truly dizzying array of products. Their staff are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, and will give you tastes of any counter item you are interested in.
Slightly more off the beaten path, I also like M I International Foods in Brighton Beach. A huge emporium of delights.
that should be M (and) I International Foods - for some reason the plus sign isn't showing up. whoops.
Have been really enjoying the Essex Market lately. The two cheese shops there are great.
Di Paulos in Nolita - fantastic, fantastic selection.
Patel Brothers (Jackson Heights) :)
Despania is so frikkin' awesome, I visited the store on my last trip to NYC and smuggled back a packfull of chorizo to Montreal. :p
The "roasted egg yolk cake", a very dense marzipan-like delicacy, is to die for (expensive at $23, but there are samples galore) and the hot chocolate with churros is delicious.
Bierkraft - lots of good beer and good cheese too (as well as all sorts of other treats).
Of that list, Sahadi's. I work in a cheese shop, so most don't entice me, but Sahadi's affordable bulk EVERYTHING, plus their delicious prepared foods and various odd-to-me middle eastern snacks (halvah floss???) always has me dropping at least a $20 on a big bag of goodies. I never leave without pickled eggplant, olives, bulgarian feta (cheapest and best in the city), fresh babaganoush, espresso malt balls, and some sort of new and wonderful sweet.
The Greenpoint link isn't working...I'd like to see that list!
I'll second M and I International--they have these amazing tiny chocolates that have really beautiful illustrated packaging. Been meaning to pick some up for the weekend.
Blue Apron in Brooklyn is also great.
Also, as an alternative to Sahadi's for great middle eastern fare, DiVine Taste on 7th Ave in the slope has fantastic offerings and a really lovely staff.
East Village Cheeses!! SO cheap and so good.
Those Indian stores on Lex and 27th-ish. Not Kalustyans, though.