Going to Market

Where to buy everything you need for a Duchess-worthy meal










Bodega's and Why I Love Them
I would NEVER buy a sandwich from one, I would never buy anything that has the word "fresh" on it (that includes milk or eggs, bad experiences) but when you need Oreos at 3am, nothing beats 'em. Also, if you're just the slightest bit brave, you'd be surprised what you can find. Depending on the 'hood you live in, and who owns the place, you can find random curry mixes, international sodas and sweets, great Asian soup mixes, and other wonderful things. Let's hear it for "Le Salle" ice cream, my favorite local Bodega "find."

Fairway
www.fairwaymarket.com
Those of us who grew up on the Upper West Side remember a floor covered with saw dust, wood crates of the freshest fruits and veggies, and a sliver of a space on Broadway and 74th... my my my how've they've grown! They now have multiple locations, huge store sizes, still the best and freshest fruits and veggies and, did I mention, they still manage to have some of the best prices in all of NYC? The 125th street location has a walk-in cold room filled with meats and milks and seafood etc -- it's in an old factory so the place is HUGE, and not just by NYC standards. The Red Hook location is even larger if possible and almost dizzying! They can get seriously crowded around holidays, and on weekends, but luckily they have wonderful hours, 7am to Midnight. If you go really early or really late, the place is all yours.

Zabars
www.zabars.com
Although my heart belongs to Fairway, there is no denying how wonderful Zabars is. With possibly the largest cheese and smoked fish selections you could hope for, this family-owned and run Upper West Side landmark has some surprises up its sleeve. If you can look past the cheeses to the stairway leading upstairs, you will find a treasure trove of Kitchen gadgets, pots and pans, mixers and gizmos. How they pack sooo much stuff into that space, I don't really know, but the prices are hard to beat, absolutely everyone is knowledgeable and knows where things are, and if they don't have it, they'll get it for you, "no problem." After exhaustive research, including the internet, I found that the best price on a Le Creuset 4 Quart Dutch Oven (see "What to Cook With") was indeed at Zabar's -- cheaper than Macy's or even JC Penny's.

Whole Foods
www.wholefoods.com
I have to admit, I'm not a fan. To their credit, their stuff is fresh and really well presented, and if you're a Vegetarian or Vegan, on a special diet, or have food allergies, it's a god-send. However, it's seriously over priced, very often just not as good as other markets (I have never had a more flavorless or dry roast chicken), and very often too complicated! I dare you try to find a normal box of chicken bullion... can't do it. Honestly, not EVERYTHING needs to be organic. As far as I'm concerned you can find cheaper, better, and more flavorful elsewhere.

Food Emporium & Gristede’s
If you're not near a Fairway, or don't feel like schlepping to one... ok. Food Emporium thinks it's better than it actually is and honestly, can be more expensive than it should be. Gristides' are ok, but limited. Go if you must, but I would highly recommend a trip to good 'ole Fairway. Trust me, it's worth it.

FreshDirect.com
If you go to the Uptown Fairway on 12th ave, at the checkout you will see a laminated price comparison list. Side-by-side prices of the same product from Gristede’s, Fairway, and FreshDirect, not surprisingly, Fairway is the cheapest, and FreshDirect the most expensive. Here’s the thing about FreshDirect… I have never gotten a complete carton of unharmed eggs, there are always some broken. I never order fresh meats or fish etc, because I don’t know how long that truck has been driving around. And finally, for all of its convenience, you never know what you’re going to get, and for all of you Environmentalists out there, you should see how packaged everything is: Styrofoam clam-shells for tomatoes, a plastic bag around everything, and 12 boxes for 1 box worth of food. I have to admit for a big party it's great (although expensive) because they can put everything on platters for you, but other than that, find an hour out of your week and squeeze your own damned tomatoes.

GreenMarkets
http://www.nycvisit.com/content/index.cfm?pagePkey=658
Not only are the NYC GreenMarkets a great deal of fun, they are diverse in their produce and foods, and have GREAT prices. Some are year-round, some are seasonal, but there’s sure to be one near you and you need to go. Fresh cheese from those Amish guys, Brook Trout from upstate, Health Breads from the Hippies… I highly recommend that you go to your local GreenMarket (check out the link for the closest one to you) and try something new. If you don’t know what it is, or how to cook it, ask the people selling, they always have really excellent ideas.

Kong Kee Foods
240 Grand St. (at Bowery)
For every kind of fresh, fried, baked, flavored, and marinated tofu under the sun, nothing beats Kong Kee. Cheap cheap cheap and fabulous, try some of their pre-packaged cooked tofu, my favorite is the spicy (not that spicy). They also make fresh dumpling skins, and noodles -- there are even a few grubby tables for eating your tofu or noodles on-site! While you're there, hop across the street to "Quickly" a place for every kind of bubble tea and icee you could hope for.

Chelsea Market
www.ChesleaMarket.com
Where to start! This place is awesome. More of a “Mall of Food” than one cohesive market, you can find the freshest pastas, flowers, breads, and much more. Go to Buon Italia for the fresh pumpkin ravioli (check out recipes section), go to Sarabeth’s for a Matin, a pastry made from strips of other pastries (if there are any left), and Cheese sticks, check out the Manhattan Fruit Exchange for every kind of mushroom under the sun, and wind up at the Bowery Kitchen Supply for anything you could need to cook with.

Trader Joe’s
www.traderjoes.com
There was a huge amount of buzz and joy when the news that a TJ’s was opening up in Union Square. While I have to admit that the wine store next door is in fact an amazing deal and not be missed, I found TJ’s to be so lackluster, and ordinary that it didn’t seem worth it. On top of which, the lines are beyond long; so long, that the first time I went I promptly left because the back of the line ended where the front door opened. Seems to me that you can find just as ordinary stuff for just as ordinary prices elsewhere.