New South Slope Union Market opened today

Love the Lee's, but I must say, I shopped for dinner tonight all at one store. UM.

Just a note -- last night I went to both UM and the Korean market to shop for dinner ingredients, and I noticed the asparagus in UM were priced $5.99/lb (and not really stored properly -- dry on a shelf) and the ones in the Korean market at $3.99, much fresher and standing in a pan of water. I find myself continue to shop for veggies and fruits at the Korean market, and getting seafood/meats from UM.

But I must say I am a bit disappointed in the pork selection at UM. Where are the ribs, shoulders, and the other 95% of the pig? They really ought to carry more than just loin chops.

the nice thing about UM is that if you want them to carry something they don't have, ask them about it and if enough people are interested, they will consider stocking that item.

these spaces are limited, so they can't carry EVERYTHING.

and they don't read minds.

I live across the street from the UM in North Slope and I shop there almost daily. Yes, a tad expensive, but always seems to be worth it!
The staff (David the Manager, Damien the Butcher etc) could not be sweeter and will order anything (within reason) that you might need that they don't yet carry. I am a huge fan! I ask them so many questions, and they are always happy to give very thoughtful advice. If I ask about the freshness of the meat or fish, they are always honest, and steer me in the right direction!

Went to UM yesterday. Gorgeous store and stocked great. They have an amazing selection for such a small place. Prices weren't really that much more expensive if at all. I think certain items are the same as most other places, but others could be much higher depending on what it is. I think the vine tomatos were about 3.49/lb which is about what other places have them for this time of year. Organic milk was like 3.69/half gallon which is also pretty standard I think. Farm salmon was 11-something a pound which is about 2 bucks more than C-Town (and C-Towns happens to be excellent salmon).

I would still do my major shopping at CTown but I'm more than happy to have UM in the hood.

willregistersoon wrote: Organic milk was like 3.69/half gallon which is also pretty standard I think.

The bodega on the corner of 11th and 7th as well as the one across the street on 7th btwn 10th and 11th charges $4.99/half gallon so this sounds like a great price in comparison. I believe that Steve's is $4+ as well as I've never found it to be priced well enough below he corner store to make it worth the effort to carry it the extra distance.

Hamilton wrote: I stopped in early this evening ,the produce is great, but the aisle space is really limited .
I had to squeeze past a customer who had a computer print out of items to be purchased and his two children running loose while a stroller blocked passage.

I'll have to shop during the off hours

The store is laid out in a very irritating manner!

A bit of trivia about the building that houses the Lee's market. Pete Hamill spent part of his growing-up-in-Park-Slope years in an apartment on the upper floor of that building.

Subject: grab/wine store

I'm also happy about UM opening but I will still shop at GRAB and
the great wine store right next store. This past weekend we were
visiting friends in VT. and I said I would bring wine and cheese. I went
to the wine store and asked for advise for "apre ski" wine in my price range. The fellow I spoke to asked which cheese was I planning to
bring. I told him that I had no idea. He told me to take the wine receipt to Grab next store and Laura - the owner will pair the wine with a selection of cheeses. I did exactly that and the people I was visiting loved both the wine and the amazing cheese. I will add UM to my
shopping places but will still go to GRAB and Wine store because of my great experience.

Subject: Re: that wine store

Amity Gal wrote: the staff at that wine store make the best recommendations. I forget the name of the store but I know where it is and I know that they have yet to steer me wrong.

Slope Cellars. I love, love, love them. Patty (co-owner) and staff are wonderful. They also do tastings and dinners....and put out a monthy email.

"
Scandal at the Green Grocer —

If you spot a van belonging to high-end food shop Union Market parked in front of a wholesale fruit and vegetable supplier in Sunset Park, well, you might infer some things. Such is the case with Gotham City Insider, who writes:

"So the next time you pay $15 for that independent-grassroots-organic-locally grown-farm fresh avocado or that artichoke direct from Castroville now you'll know where Union Market is really getting their produce from... straight from the bucolic farms and rolling hills of Sunset Park; 26th street and 3rd Avenue to be exact. Just steps from the live poultry store, the window tinters, the peep shows and the place where I get my dog food from the guy who looks like Harvey Keitel." [Gotham City Insider]"

http://www.gothamcityinsider.com/2008/01/union-market-busted.html

i saw that also!!

if that turns out to be true, it would indeed be QUITE scandalous....

especially since last time i was there i nearly had a heart attack when i noticed the asparagus i bought was 6 DOLLARS!!!

belzjm wrote: i saw that also!!

if that turns out to be true, it would indeed be QUITE scandalous....

especially since last time i was there i nearly had a heart attack when i noticed the asparagus i bought was 6 DOLLARS!!!

$6.00? That's crazy! Well, I hope it's not true but there is a picture of the van even though it's a little blurry. I also can't see Union Market delivering to another much cheaper food market.

Alright
My boy and I held our breath since, I don't know, AUGUST to be able to shop at union market since its about 2 blocks from the house and may I just say, while the store itself is nice enough and the selection is fair (overpriced, but we knew that)...
the cashiers there are the absolute most rude people I have ever encountered. EVERY time I go there the cashiers are holding personal conversations, are snippy with me ("uh I said to SWIPE NOW" with the roll of an eye,) and are generally miserably difficult to deal with. To top this all off, I have three times been shortchanged (yeah its only a few pennies or dimes but if they're oging to be assholes they should at least be able to count,) and half the time I can't even understand what they're saying due to the mumbling and TALKING ON THEIR CELL PHONES.
Look, I know working those jobs sucks (and, incidentally, I worked all through highschool and college at a fast-food joint, so I'm not some sheltered PS adolescent or something before anyone casts a stone) but there are enough highschool kids in this city that
A) can speak
are not completely rude and
C) can count
If I'm paying $5 for a bag of chips and $8 for a thing of canola oil I would assume some level of basic human respect from the staff. Don't even smile, dont make small talk- just dont roll your eyes at me while talking on your cell phone about how what a "shitty job [that] bitch did on [your] nails."


/rant. Sorry, we just got home from there and I'm a bit peeved...maybe I'm just spoiled from the service at grab and slope cellars :?

don't forget not knowing how to count change. Like seriously, there are very few basic skills required to be a minimum-wage cashier- COUNTING TO 100 IN CENTS IS ONE OF THEM.

Christ. I'm still fuming over this after my $30 home-made dinner that could have cost $15 anywhere else- I pay the price for convenience and I realize that, but why employ such assholes!?