There's nothing like an old standby. At the center of Upper West Side Levantine food culture is Zabar's. Started in 1934 by Louis and Lillian Zabar this is a family operation and there is always "a Zabar in the store."
We all know and love it for their gourmet groceries and prepared foods that are perfect for Central Park picnics. But have you seen the second floor? It is one of the best stocked kitchen supply stores in the city.
When I'd just moved to NYC and lived in the neighborhood, I went there often and eyed the wares like candy. They have a great knife department, pot department and selection of small appliances. They "only stock the good stuff. There is no junk."
And their hours are great - where else can you pick up a copper beating bowl on Sunday at 9?
Voted "Best Cookware" by NYMag in 2002, they say Zabars "also offers an unbeatable selection of cookware and kitchen gizmos, and at highly competitive prices."
Copyright © 2008 Apartment Therapy
I adore Zabars.
Here's a pic of some of the cheese section (and me selecting the perfect cheese)
http://pics.livejournal.com/chatnoire/pic/0001q0ps/
And in my name, a picture of a salad made of yummy stuff bought entirely at Zabars. My friend and I wanted some good food, without spending money on a restaurant - for less than $30, we got those HUGE salads and cheese to last the rest of the week, and took it back to the apartment to chow down.
Whenever I'm in NYC, Zabars is a Must Stop.
I LOVE Zabars -- one of the many reason why I love my beloved Upper West Side!!!!!
Yes, Zabar's is one of the reasons why I love the Upper West Side. What's funny is that I just posted a comment on the main AT site about how great Zabar's is to buy air conditioners. Glad to see great minds think alike ;-).
The stock upstairs has always been terrific, but I've found their cashiers and floor staff to be indifferent at best. Shopping for hardware takes more time and thought than for food downstairs -- for that amount of money and time, I'd like to see a more enthusiastic and pro-active reception.
I'll chime in to say I love it, too! I lived on the UWS for 11 yrs. and was there all the time. And back then it was one of the few "grocery" stores that accepted AmEx so I was charging some of the best food around to my father's card. I still remind myself whenever I go, to accept the crowds and go with the flow. I love their chocolate croissants and the corn chowder. And I never minded the attitude of the employees. That is just a NY attitude.