Rahhhz-berries & Smoked Salmon

Thanks to ZipCar, we are now upwardly mobile in the most literal sense. With our rented VW Jetta, we braved the BQE to go the Red Hook Fairway (most of you know my love of Fairway), the brand new Red Hook Ikea (which is only about three blocks away from said Fairway), and the real revelation of the day… Costco.

I had never been to a Costco, and never gave it much thought. But the economy being what it is, and prices rising everywhere for everything, a tub-o-mustard for $5 sounded mighty good. I am so glad we went. I knew to expect the 24 rolls of toilet paper, the beach chairs, more mayo than you could eat in a lifetime and all the other random and yet oddly necessary items you never knew you always wanted, however, what really surprised me was not only the sheer quantity of the food available, but the quality.

My husband, who was used to this, having been a Costco-er from way back told me about the fresh veggies, TV’s, and amazing smoked salmon... wait what? Smoked Salmon? In fact, and to his credit because there no way in hell I would have picked up Smoked Salmon at Costco without him making me, the Kirkland brand (Kirkland being Costco’s in house brand), Smoked Salmon did NOT disappoint. First off you get about 2 feet worth of Smoked Salmon for $17. Normally, this would not bode well for taste or quality, but I was so happy to be proven wrong. We had it last night, and the texture was firm and not mealy like some cheaper Smoked Salmons can be, it wasn’t too oily or too salty, and the smokiness was perfect. I mean really perfect – very Little Red Riding Hood (just right). I am a Costco convert if for no other reason than the Smoked Salmon, and really what a divine reason…

Speaking of divinity, did I mention the Rahhhz-berries (for the phonetically challenged, that’s Raspberries said the way God intended, like an English Drag Queen). Rahhhz-berries are some of my favorite fruits. In fact, most berries are, but there is something so silly and girly about Rahhhz-berries, that I can’t help but favor them -- the pinky-red color, the silly little thimble shape, it all makes for a fairytale-like foodie experience. I suspect this why one very rarely see’s men gobbling Rahhhz-berries the way one see’s girls (ok THIS girl) greedily scarf them down. All that being said, the unfortunate reality about the berry is that are incredibly expensive. I suspect this has to do with the labor and care needed to cultivate and collect them, but who knows? So picture my stupid grin when I saw a 3 pint box of Rahhhz-berries for $4.95. No, that’s not a typo. That was $4.95 for 3 a pint box of Mother’s Nature’s Tinkerbell fruit.

Fast forward to the very night we got back from our jaunt, and you would have found me, with my 3 pints in bed, greedily hording and gulping down my prize. My husband, lovingly smirked at me whilst my fingers turned that happy Rahhz-berry pink.

Beyond the Salmon and fruit, the vast array of wonderful looking meats (not to mention veggies, fruits, poultry, wheels of cheese etc) was dizzying. The only thing really stopping me from buying some of the freshest most ruby-red looking beef tenderloin I’ve ever seen, was that nagging voice in my head going “yes it’s only $20 for these two massive logs of loin, but when exactly are you going to be eating all that meat” of course the before mentioned conversation was rationalized much to the chagrin of my hubby.

Of course Costco is nothing new. It’s not as if I’ve discovered the next great Taco Truck, but I wonder how many foodies are aware of the gem that is Costco? Maybe more than I think? Whatever the case may be, I’m a convert. And if you’re coming over anytime soon for a dinner party, I can guarantee, that the Salmon Fume Salad, Herb Crusted Tenderloin, and Rahhz-berry Tart, were all thanks to Costco!

PS. Although I didn’t buy my tub-o-mustard, I did get a two pack of Dijon for $3.69. Can you even get one jar of Dijon for that?

Pinkberry Woes

The Buzz around Pinkberry has reached a furious pitch recently. It's wildly popular, fun, and delicious. A workmate of mine was shocked to hear that I had never had it, and has been trying to get me to go with her for months. Well, one just opened across the street from our offices, and as if on cue, you can see droves of us making our mecca at 3pm daily.

I finally did have my first Pinkberry the other day, and it was awesome. A little history lesson: Pinkberry is actually a rip off of another Korean Chain Red Mango, I only know this because said workmate wrote a bit about it in her blog as well. Pinkberry's Frozen Yogurt is tart & tangy, yet sweet. The toppings are freshly cut fruit and the normal toppings like granola, chocolate chips, etc. Of course it's the styling of the whole thing that makes it sooo irresistible. It's Hello Kitty cute to the max. Everything is stylized, right down to the ordering protocol including your name, toppings, SS#, first born. Not only is it seriously yummy, it has next to no calories, and is pretty much guilt-free, or so we thought.

For those of you who might not know, I am Lactose Intolerant. No biggie really, I avoid dairy if I can, and when I absolutely need to eat my Shropshire Blue (a fabulous English Blue Cheese), I take a Lactaid pill that let's me digest it easily. That being said Yogurt doesn't affect me (neither does Goat Cheese or Cottage Cheese) since it is so high in bacterial cultures (the good kind, the kind that make yogurt, yogurt). So Frozen Yogurt, REAL Frozen Yogurt is my friend. That being said, that night, my stomach was angry with me. For the life of me I couldn't figure it out. I thought it might have been something I had for dinner. I racked my brain for any dairy that I might have had, and nothing came to mind.

The following day, the truth came out. Pinkberry is in fact NOT Yogurt at all, not even close. While legit Frozen Yogurt should have something along the lines of hundreds of thousands of yogurt cultures, Pinkberry barely has fifty thousand. So Sad. Let me repeat that -- SO SAD. They are being sued, and can no longer call thier product Frozen Yogurt, sigh.

Well, Tasty-D-Lite it is, yet again and again and again. Sigh. Pinkberry I hardly knew ye...

Malbec and Mushroom Bulgur

I went out dinner last night with one of my best and oldest friends (we either met in 3rd or 4th grade depending on who you're asking), and her Mother (my second Mommy). We wanted something light, having been little piggies since New Year and I suggested Kashkaval. Kashkaval on 9th Avenue, started out as a Mediterranean Deli and a few years back opened up a little Wine Bar and Restaurant in the back.
I had certainly been to the Deli (and I use the very term loosely, it's more of a mini Gourmet Market with homemade dips, salads, sandwiches, breads etc), to get some great sliced meats, and amazing Taramasolata (a whipped caviar dip that is out of this world), but had yet to ever actually sit down and eat there. I am so glad I did.
This is the type of place you're really glad you know about. It’s charming, all exposed brick and wood, lit by candles, and easy-going atmosphere. The kind of place where the wait staff wear what they want, and the service is friendly if not 100% on-the-ball. They serve what they sell upfront mostly, with the lovely addition of 3 kinds of fondue and homemade soups. We had different dips and salads, amazing Turkey Meatballs and Chicken Caponata, and Bulgur with Mushrooms -- it was all excellent and exactly what we wanted.
Now I have a confession to make. For all of my "expertise," for all of my foodie-knowledge, I am a complete dummy with wine. I know nothing. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy it, I just have no idea what to choose or how to choose it. So when confronted with the very large wine list (THANKFULLY with descriptions for the wine inept such as myself) I chose something that I know I usually like -- a Malbec. Malbec is a grape from South America, and wine made in Argentina. This specific one, Malbec Punto Final 2006, was excellent. It was rich and smooth and really drinkable. On the menu it was $25 a bottle, which is completely reasonable, and happily I found it on wine.com for $11.99 and it even made the top 100 wines of 2007. Maybe I'm not such a wine-loser after all!
Bottom line is, check out Kashkaval (which by the by is a kind of cheese), and try a little of everything at lunch. Then, go for dinner (the earlier the better it gets crowded) for some good Wine and Fondue, or Meat and Cheese Platters, or Soups, or homemade Halvah, or or or...

Fave Places to Eat Out

Some are cheap, some are pricey, some are hip, some are oldies, but they are ALL Duchess-worthy.



Balthazar
www.balthazarny.com
As I've said before, this is quite possibly my favorite resteraunt in NYC. The food isn't revolutionary, the decor isn't cutting edge, and it's not trendy. What it is however, is an escape. It takes you to another place if only for a few hours. The food is always good, and always buzzing with happy eaters. It's classicaly bistro, from decor to food, and I love it... 'nuff said.

Grandma's Original Pizza
6918 3rd Avenue
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
I moved to Bay Ridge this past summer, and knowing it was an Italian Neighborhood, my first question was "what's the best pizza." Overwhelmingly, the answer was Grandma's. I dunno if there was or is a Grandma, but the pizza there is wonderful and suprising. It's square with a super thin crust, has fresh mozzarella, their own tomato sauce with chunks of garlic in it, pesto, and romano cheese -- which is sweeter than Reggiano. The result is crispy, sweet, salty, melty, and heaven! If you're in Bay Ridge, stop by, you won't be dissapointed.

*Everyone has a favorite pizza place of course, please let me know yours. Maybe I'll make a pizza sojourn across the city and post the results!

La Paella
www.lapaellanyc.com
This place is perpetually crowded, and for good reason. They make really really good Paella, and the Sagria flows in abundance from very large, very black, very ugly garbage cans. The menu is soley Paella and Tapas, hence the name, and I've never had a bad meal there. However, becuase they don't take reservations, between 7-10 it's jammed. If you can go earlier or later, great -- if not you might be waiting for 30-45 minutes for a table. Just remember, the reward is worth the wait!

Mr Tang's
50 Mott Street
212-233-8898
This isn't the best food in Chinatown at all. It isn't the best people watching, or even the best deocration. No, Mr. Tang's is on here for one reason... Salt Baked Squid (sometimes called, Salt and Pepper Squid).
If you've never had it, you're missing out. It's squid which has been baked or fried in a cripsy, salty batter, and then sprinkled with hot peppers and garlic. It's hands-down one of my favorite all-time dishes, and I find myself craving it and having to make Tang trips. Let me say, whenever I see this on a menu I order it, and Tang's seems to be the best. Please feel free to let me know of your Salt Baked Squid find though, I'm ALWAYS willing to have it for... educational purposes.

Kuruma Zushi Sushi
7 East 47th street
212-317-2802
The freshest, most traditional, most expertly prepapred Sushi in NYC. Forget that corner Sushi place you go to, you haven't had Sushi until you've come to Kuruma. The Sushi is so good, that it actually ruins you for that other "stuff." Toshihiro Uezu, the chef and owner, trained for years under other master Sushi chefs until he was ready for his own place... and it shows. Nothing is ever too big to fit in your mouth, has too much fat or too little, or too anything. It's just perfect.
About the cost: it's cheaper than flying to Japan.
You can, if you show a HUGE amount of restraint eat reasonably (and by reasonably I mean $150-$200 pp), but really, save up the pennies, and go all out just once, it's more worth it than you can imagine.


MORE TO COME....

Bakeries

Where to buy your cookies, breads, and cakes











Vaniero's
www.venierospastry.com
Vaniero's is arguably the most famous Bakery in NYC. For Italian, and Italian-American pastries and desserts it's heaven. For me though, the stuff is hit or miss. Some is wonderful, and some just ordinary and even junky. But if nothing else, it's a NYC landmark of sorts, and the mob scene can be fun to watch.

La Bergamote
169 9th Avenue
(Corner of 20th)
Far and away the best croissants and chocolate croissants I've ever had in America let alone NYC. An amazing little fairly unknown bakery in Chelsea, they have a loyal fan base. Besides the croissants, the cakes and tarts are lovely as well, and apparently they have really nice sandwiches at lunch time too. I would highly recommend a stop in here.

Casa Cupcake (formally The Cupcake Cafe)
www.cupcakecafe.com
The home of ultra rich buttercream. This Ninth Avenue staple has been turning out the prettiest, richest, and most decadent cakes and cupcakes for years. They will pipe a cake with any colors, flavors, and flowers you could imagine, which always puts a smile on people's faces. You can't eat terribly much, but what you can is a total treat!

Soutine Bakery
www.soutine.com
This place holds a special place in my heart being the place where we always got my birthday cakes from. It was the same cake every year, white cake with lemon curd filling, white frosting with yellow flowers. It was always good and always pretty. They still churn out the cakes for Upper West Side's kids' birthdays. They'll put anything on a cake for you, and even do lovely wedding cakes now too.

Amy's Bread
www.amysbread.com
Her website says it all, but she started with one small store on 9th ave, and has created something of a bread empire in NYC. She has three stores now, and the quality hasn't changed. There is an actual Amy who actually still bakes. Her breads are excellent and are always almost completely gone by the end of the day. Besides bread she makes some really great cookies and pastries. My fave are her various Foccacia.

SaraBeth's
www.sarabethsbakery.com
Another success story. SaraBeth (again there is an actual SaraBeth), opened up a Bakery/Brunch place on the Upper West Side and now you can find her jams across the country. I put her stores on here for one reason... the Pain Matain. It's almost always sold out, but if you can get your hands on it, do it! What she very cleverly did was put all of the left over dough from the other pastries and baked them in little muffin tins – it’s AMAZING. You will start craving them, just warning you. If you go and there are none left (which will usually be the case) her Madeleine Cookies and Cheese Straws are also exemplary.

Black Bear Bakery
www.blackbearbakery.org
I can't actually vouch for very much from this place EXCEPT for the chocolate cake. The chocolate cake is fabulous! It's moist and yummy, and rich without giving you a tummy ache, and just pretty damn perfect.

*For the absolute best Chocolate cake I have EVER had, go to Blue Smoke. It happens to be an upscale BBQ joint off Park Ave South, but don’t let that stop you. You need milk with this, and you need more than once piece.

Poseidon Greek Bakery
629 9th Avenue
Bet. 44th & 45th Street
Family run since God knows when, this is one of the only places left in the country that still makes their own Phyllo dough (a flaky paper-thin dough that comes in sheets). They have all the classic Greek cookies, breads, and pastries, and are more than willing to pronounce and explain what everything is. They also have a frozen foods section, so can bring home your own homemade Phyllo and make Baklava.

Payard
www.payard.com
If you’re willing to shell out your life savings, you too can have a cake from Payard. I have to admit, He (yes there is a Payard, Francois Payard), makes a spectacular looking product, maybe the most elegant looking in the city. However, I always find it to be just "too much." They tend to be a little goopy, and quite frankly, I think you can get a better if not equally tasting cake for much much less. They have some nice chocolates and cookies too, but really, treat it like a museum of pastry and keep moving on.

Lady M Confections
www.ladymconfections.com
SO gorgeous, SO delicious, this is one of my favorite patisseries in NYC. Everything is just impeccably made, amazing looking and drool-worthy-delicious. It's not Payard prices, it's still pricey... BUT WORTH IT! Just check out the website (which could use some work I know), and tell me if you don't just want to run over right now.

Balthazar
www.balthazarny.com
Both a bakery (and one of if not my favorite) restaurants in NYC, Balthazar is always a safe bet. Their breads are amazing, perhaps more amazing than their pastry -- bread in every shape color and grain, all lovely and chewy inside, and crispy and divine outside. If you're a bread lover, go and grab a baguette or country loaf.

Magnolia Bakery
www.magnoliacupcakes.com
Made famous for their adorable and yummy pastel cupcakes, there is line around the block every night... no foolin! While I applaud them for making the cupcake cool again, I have to say, I think the hype has gotten the better of their cupcakes by now, and while it’s still fun to wait on cue for them, you can probably find a better cupcake these days.

Junior's Cheesecake
www.juniorscheesecake.com
A NY Institution. Even I, who really hates American Cheesecake, has to admit that nothing is a Junior's. I don't know what they do, and how they've been able to maintain it for so long, but it is damn good cheesecake.

Little Pie Company
www.littlepiecompany.com
Amazing pies. That's really it. Just really really good pies, and perhaps my favorite thing about them, is that the pies are seasonal. No Strawberry Pies in January, because there are no strawberries in January! They ONLY use the fruits and flavors of the season which means you can't get Key Lime Pie in January either... so there.

City Bakery
www.thecitybakery.com
It's sophisticated, sleek, modern, and happens to have the best damn Lemon Curd Tart in the whole city. I don’t know what they're putting in that thing, but it’s seriously yummy. They serve lunch too, but it’s usually too crowded to sit and stay. But get yourself a salad and lemon curd tart to go, and give me some please!

TAI Pan Bakery Chinatown Incorporated
194 Canal Street
(Between Mulberry & Mott)
I have no idea what half the things are, and the only reason I know what I do know is because I pointed to stuff and tried stuff. They have great (and usually warm) Red Bean Buns, and wonderful curry chicken pastry (which isn't a dessert by the way but a great snack). If you’re just a little bit brave, go “try stuff.” It’s incredibly cheap -- so $2 goes a long long way.

Coffee? Tea?

For Coffee Breaks and Afternoon Tea









Cafe La Fortuna
69 W 71ST St
New York, NY 10023
(212) 724-5846
An Upper West Side classic. Family-owned and run since forever. This is the place Lennon and Ono used to hang out. With their strict Opera only music selections, and their wonderful coffee and Italian desserts, this neighborhood spot is perfect for the casual get-together.

Wild Lily Tea Room
511 W 22nd St
New York, NY 10011
(212) 691-2258
This absolutely beautiful Japanese Tea Room has its own fish pond, a long list of traditional and nouveau Asian teas, and a lovely selection of edible goodies.

Edgar's Cafe
255 W 84th St.
New York, NY 10024
(212) 496-6126
Looking for a place with a great menu and a great cup of tea or coffee? This is it. Huge salads, wonderful sandwiches, and pastries too; plus, the place is painted to look like an aging English flat... tally ho!

The Carlyle Hotel
35 E 76th St
New York, NY 10021
(212) 744-1600
One of the last places in NYC where you can get a proper Afternoon English Tea with all the fixins'. Since the close of the Plaza (moment of silence please), the Carlyle has taken on the duty of one the only NYC hotels to still serve tea. I would suggest calling ahead, and saving that loose change for this one though.


Cafe Palermo
148 Mulberry St
New York, NY 10013
(212) 431-4205
Go to Ferrara's for "old timey" Little Italy, or go to this friendlier, and cheaper cafe. Good food and desserts, gelato, and of course, coffee.

Guide to Chocolate

The best brands, places to eat, order, and buy a girl’s REAL best friend. Remember, I'm a trained pastry chef, I just might know a thing or two about this.








Scharffen Berger
www.scharffenberger.com
This happens to be my favorite chocolate; based in California, these chocolates are completely made in America. There’s actually a store in Manhattan on Amsterdam Avenue on the Upper West Side -- very dangerous. Their chocolate is not for the faint-of-heart. Even the white chocolate has a bite. It's not really a great cooking chocolate, for one it’s too expensive for that, and it’s also a little too powerful. This chocolate is best enjoyed by itself or maybe melted over something... more chocolate maybe?

Callebaut
www.callebaut.be
People in the culinary world LOVE it, and so do most of the food snobs, I for one, hate the stuff. I think it’s waxy, and unimpressive. Quite frankly, there are better eating chocolates, and more bang-for-the-buck cooking chocolates. If however, my opinions means nothing to you (then what exactly are you doing at my blog huh?), you can buy blocks and chunks of it at the better gourmet markets and specialty stores.

Vosges
http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/
I remember reading an article about this fabulous American girl who, after finishing at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, traveled to Morocco and fell in love with the Spice Markets. From that love, Vosges was born. One of the first people to make a real legit success of adding "unusual" spices to her truffles, she now has a couple of stores across the country and continues to expand. Her store in SOHO which is not only gorgeous, but has a table where you can enjoy her hot chocolate and anything else you might buy, is full of wonderful gifts and boxed items as well. I would highly suggest going and buying 3 of the strangest truffles you see and brag to your friends about it.

Chocolate Bar
www.chocolatebarnyc.com
The hipster’s chocolate. Totally decent, but more importantly, cool. They have made chocolate completely modern and hip. Grab your chocolates in your recycled box, get your 100% cotton t-shirt while your there as well, and like chill man…

Jacques Torres Chocolate
www.mrchocolate.com
I know, the website is completely pompous, but it is nothing if not deserved. If classic, elegant chocolates are what you’re looking for, Mr. Chocolate is your man. The chocolates are stunning, and of course they are outrageously expensive -- on the other hand, they are very much worth it. Take a trip to his Brooklyn store (now on the Upper West Side as well) and ogle whatever window display or architectural fete the man has pulled off this week.

Maison du Chocolat
www.lamaisonduchocolat.com
The Barney’s of Chocolates. No bells, no whistles; just simple, well made, flawless, and accordingly expensive chocolate.

Maribelle
www.mariebelle.com
I don't know if they even allow men into this place... Hands down the cutest chocolate on the block (ha-ha I made a funny). Maribelle was one of the pioneers of putting trendy cartoons on her chocolates (check out the website, you'll see what I mean). Beside being cute, she actually has a huge range of products, all impeccably packaged, and not half-bad either. This is the spot to get those cute little party favors, the perfect gift for Mom, or a treat for yourself.

Lindt
www.lindt.com
Hands down, the best bang-for-the-buck eating and cooking chocolate. You can find it everywhere, and the best major brand on the market.

Ghirardelli
www.ghirardelli.com
Because Lindt doesn’t sell chocolate chips, these are a step up from Nestle and the best supermarket chocolate chips you can buy.

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.