Specialty Food Shops in Manhattan
When not busy managing the Usdan Center for the Arts, Andrew Copper is an excellent amateur chef and an avid NYC food stalker. Here he shares his best kept secrets on getting a good bite in the Big Apple.
Agata & Valentina
Upper East Side
Stroll through the aisles of this marvelous Sicilian emporium and you'll be transported to the Mediterranean. Its owners are the Muscos, a Sicilian-American family (the shop is named after the mother and daughter), who went into business with their friend, Louis Balducci, a former general manager at the famous shop Balducci's, founded by his grandfather; all of them are experts in sourcing hard-to-find food from Italy and beyond. Expect the rarest and finest imported produce, the healthiest prepared food and one of the best cheese counters in the city—they do a great organic multi-seed roll. Head to the restaurant across the road for the full taste experience. Catering and gift baskets are also available.
1505 1st Avenue At 79th Street | New York, NY 10075 United States
Kalustyan’s
Lower East Side
Serving New Yorkers since 1944, Kalustyan's is Manhattan's largest spice emporium, but it stocks much more than spices. It has a mind-boggling array of global goodies such as rare grains and rice, chutney, mustard, noodles, nuts, vinegar, olive oil, seeds, honey, lentils, seafood, bread, pastries, the list goes on ... as well as incense and beauty products from all over the world. After you've bought enough to last until your next visit, stop by Kalustyan's fabulous cafe just along the street and feast one of their tasty falafel sandwiches. Can't make it to New York? Order online for delivery throughout the US.
123 Lexington Avenue | New York, NY 10016 United States
Ceci-Cela
Nolita
Helmed by talented pastry chef Laurent Dupal, this tiny French bakery is the best and most authentic NYC has to offer, selling such traditional treats as croissants, pains aux chocolats, quiche and madeleines, as well as a range of cookies and cakes. The white pear cake is heavenly—make sure you order in advance as these babies sell like, well, hot cakes! Ceci-Cela can do custom orders and wedding cakes.
55 Spring Street | New York, NY 10012 United States
Gramercy Meat Market
Gramercy
A mecca for organic and top-of-the-line meat: 100% grass fed beef, corn fed chicken, ostrich, venison, rare heritage pork, frogs legs … you name it, this super find has got it. This is the place to shop for an unusual dinner party extravaganza. They are open seven days a week and offer free delivery throughout most of Manhattan.
383 B 2nd Avenue | New York, NY 10010 United States
Il Laboratorio del Gelato
Lower East Side
This super cool ice cream lab makes gelato like it should be—creamy and supremely tasty, made with local and organic ingredients whenever possible. The owner, Jon Snyder, previously founded and later sold another gelato company called Ciao Bella, and went on to earn an M.B.A and working in finance before returning to his roots and his love of the frozen treats by launching his second artisanal gelato company (his grandmother used to run a Carvel franchise). Snyder's hand-made gelato and sorbets come in a wide array flavors, and he customizes flavors for his wholesale customers, many of them top restaurants. My faves are the cinnamon gelato and green plum and pear sorbet … mouth-wateringly good! Il Labratorio can send express deliveries nationwide.
95 Orchard Street | New York, NY 10002 United States
The Lobster Place at Chelsea Market
Chelsea
New York chefs know to get their lobster at the Lobster Place, but don't let the name mislead you—this is the place to go for all sorts of seafood. The fish is so fresh it's practically still swimming, and you'll be stunned by all the different varieties of oysters. Chelsea Market has several gourmet food shops and restaurants and is a must-see for food lovers.
436 West 16th Street | New York, NY 10011 United States
Landmark Wine & Sake
Nigori, Dianjo, Ginjo, Junmai, Shochu. Translation: all the Japanese you need to ensure you get the proper liquid counterpart to wash down your raw fish creations. While Landmark Wine & Sake carries vintages from France, Italy and other leading wine producing countries, its phenomenal collection of hard-to-find sake, shochu and plum wines from all parts of Japan is the main attraction. Get an impromptu introduction to the joys of sake—rice wine will never be the same again. Kanpai! (Translation: Cheers!)
167 23rd Street | New York, NY 10011 United States
Urban Lobster Shack
Can't leave the office for lunch, or stuck at home with no sitter and no dinner on the table? Urban Lobster Shack to the rescue. The company is on call to deliver super-fresh, ready-to-eat seafood dishes right to your door. Tempting offerings include shrimp ceviche cocktails, Maryland lump crabcakes, scallops wrapped in bacon, clam chowder, and, of course, lobster rolls—all lovingly prepared with quality ingredients. In order to preserve flavor, all food is steamed rather than boiled. Orders come with a choice of equally tasty side orders, among them rice pilaf, homemade creamed spinach or a tomato and feta salad. Delivery is free city wide, but a minimum order does apply, varying by location. If you're craving some carbs, check out their new sister service, New York Stuffed Idaho, which delivers hot Idaho potatoes filled with your choice of cheese, bean, vegetable and seafood stuffings. Who said fast food had to be unhealthy?
15 Stone St | New York, NY 10004 United States
remarkablepalate on Jul. 8, 2008
Di Palo's Fine Foods of Little Italy. Lou Di Palo is the 4th generation to run this little family shop in Little Italy. They are famous for their hand made mozzarella and ricotta, as well as the largest selection of fine Italian cheeses anywhere in the US. Lou sources the cheeses himself with multiple trips to Italy each year. He's even the first importer in the US to carry Speck Alto Adige. They will soon open a wine shop next door, and an online source.
200 Grand St.
212-226-1033
nycbonvivant on Jun. 9, 2009
Agata & Valentina market is great - but their restaurant across the street has closed and is now replaced by The Vitamin Shoppe.