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Zabar's this morning. Major price creep. $8.99/lb for creamed spinach jumped out at me from the case. Cashiers are apathetic at best. Mozzarella di buffala - rancid when I opened it at home right when I got home.
But the deli and fish guys are real pros. And that cheese department is HUGE. And the upstairs is great and the prices are still pretty decent up there.
High-end NYC food retailers Let 'er rip
#1
omnivorette 
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Posted 31 March 2005 - 08:26 PM
"It seems a positively Quixotic quest to defend food from being used as any kind of social signifier, as if it could avoid the fate of each other component of our everyday lives." -Wilfrid
#3
mitchells
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Posted 31 March 2005 - 08:40 PM
How do you think Fairway, Citarella and Zabars will fair against Whole Foods effort to overtake Manhattan?
I was at the Harlem Fairway Saturday evening. Still my favorite place to shop. Other than a better selection of fish at Citarella (and better quality of some types of fish) I prefer Fairway for just about everything. I think their fish, smoked salmon specifically, is terrific and very well priced.
I was at the Harlem Fairway Saturday evening. Still my favorite place to shop. Other than a better selection of fish at Citarella (and better quality of some types of fish) I prefer Fairway for just about everything. I think their fish, smoked salmon specifically, is terrific and very well priced.
"The work of science is to substitute facts for appearances and demonstrations for impressions." -John Ruskin
#4
mitchells
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Posted 31 March 2005 - 08:42 PM
I'll add that I spent $280 at Fairway and I'd guess that the same or similar food purchased at Whole Foods would have approached $350.
"The work of science is to substitute facts for appearances and demonstrations for impressions." -John Ruskin
#5
Wilfrid1
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Posted 31 March 2005 - 08:52 PM
I know people who travel from downtown to Harlem Fairway for just that reason. As a rule, however, I am shopping for one to three people on a short term basis, and I wouldn't travel 200 plus blocks to turn an $85 bill into a $70 bill.
Elect-a-lujah
***Every Monday***At the Sign of the Pink Pig.
If the author could go around the place hitting random readers with a rubber hammer, the Pink Pig would still be worth a visit.
***Every Monday***At the Sign of the Pink Pig.
If the author could go around the place hitting random readers with a rubber hammer, the Pink Pig would still be worth a visit.
#6
omnivorette
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Posted 31 March 2005 - 08:52 PM
I really like that Harlem Fairway. But the produce quality at 74th St. has slipped. And the cheese department isn't so great anymore in either location, comparatively speaking.
But I do agree that Fairway's prices are better than Zabar's.
But I do agree that Fairway's prices are better than Zabar's.
"It seems a positively Quixotic quest to defend food from being used as any kind of social signifier, as if it could avoid the fate of each other component of our everyday lives." -Wilfrid
#7
mitchells
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Posted 31 March 2005 - 08:59 PM
Wilfrid, on Mar 31 2005, 03:52 PM, said:
I know people who travel from downtown to Harlem Fairway for just that reason. As a rule, however, I am shopping for one to three people on a short term basis, and I wouldn't travel 200 plus blocks to turn an $85 bill into a $70 bill.
But think of the upside--you can save $15 and then get some BBQ at Dinosaur across the street that you can then complain about here.
"The work of science is to substitute facts for appearances and demonstrations for impressions." -John Ruskin
#8
Liza
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Posted 31 March 2005 - 09:01 PM
I prefer the uptown Fairway over the 74th Street version in every respect, except that the plastic Fairway shopping bags are a better quality downtown. The refrigerated room is terrific, and great fun for toddlers. The produce appears better, and is kept cooler, uptown. And there's the added plus of being able to make it through a shopping trip without having a few near-calamitous shopping cart fender benders.
“And another thing. You don't have to "move on" either. Not until you're ready. People say, Oh, you should be grateful. They say, Oh, it's time for you to move on. I'm like, What are you, a cop with a nightstick? I'll move on when I'm done playing the blues on my harmonica, thank you very much.
Really, people will tell you all kinds of garbage. Don't believe it.
You don't have to move on until you're ready.”
Really, people will tell you all kinds of garbage. Don't believe it.
You don't have to move on until you're ready.”
#9
omnivorette
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Posted 31 March 2005 - 09:02 PM
I'm sorry they did away with the jackets, though.
"It seems a positively Quixotic quest to defend food from being used as any kind of social signifier, as if it could avoid the fate of each other component of our everyday lives." -Wilfrid
#10
bloviatrix
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Posted 31 March 2005 - 09:37 PM
They carry better yogurt at the Uptown Fairway. 74th st only carries Liberte 6 Grain while uptown carries that and Mediterrene and the Dessert line.
I much prefer going uptown. It's significantly less crowded (except for before holidays and snowstorms) and more pleasant. I just got home from 74th street and it was a nightmare.
I much prefer going uptown. It's significantly less crowded (except for before holidays and snowstorms) and more pleasant. I just got home from 74th street and it was a nightmare.
Future Legacy Participant.
#11
Elissa
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Posted 31 March 2005 - 10:12 PM
Balducci's soon to open on 14th & 8th in one of those magnificent old banks. Promises (aspires) to be the highest-end shop in town.
i find it wildly amusing because i'm mildly drunk. -helena
#12
bloviatrix
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Posted 31 March 2005 - 11:00 PM
The prices at Dean and Deluca never cease to amaze me. Their mark-up is unbelievable.
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#13 Guest_Suzanne F_*
Posted 01 April 2005 - 02:22 AM
I'm hardly ever on the UES anymore, but I used to love window-shopping at Agata & Valentina, Grace's Marketplace, and Litsakos. Actually, A&V had some decent promozione in the past; not sure if they still do.
And where did I read that Claudia Fleming is now in charge of prepared foods at the Balducci's on West 65th Street? Still, they'll have a long way to go to convince me that they're as good as the REAL Balducci's.
D&D: I agree! But now there's Sunrise Market on Broome Street, so not all is lost.
And where did I read that Claudia Fleming is now in charge of prepared foods at the Balducci's on West 65th Street? Still, they'll have a long way to go to convince me that they're as good as the REAL Balducci's.
D&D:
I agree! But now there's Sunrise Market on Broome Street, so not all is lost.
#14
Elissa
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Posted 01 April 2005 - 02:41 AM
Suzanne F, on Mar 31 2005, 09:22 PM, said:
And where did I read that Claudia Fleming is now in charge of prepared foods at the Balducci's on West 65th Street?
Claudia Fleming is or will soon be back at Gram Tav; Katy Sparks is at Balduccis.
i find it wildly amusing because i'm mildly drunk. -helena
#15 Guest_Suzanne F_*
Posted 01 April 2005 - 03:38 AM
Thanks for the correction. I knew it was someone I admired; just the wrong one.
