What are your favorite PS/WT stores and why?

trixieNYC wrote: [quote=Carnivore]What do you guys think of Union Market?

it's ok in a bind but to be honest, I think they're grossly overpriced.

I think its pick-n-choose. I got a bottle of Stubb's beef marinade there for $0.25 less than at Met Supermarket. But the cheese was definitely Whole Foods type price.

I checked out a Polish meat/deli place on 5th Avenue between Prospect Ave and 17th Street called Juilat today. I must say that their veal roll (with a pate and dill stuffing) and smoked hard sausage and double smoked kielbasa is pretty damn good. It's nice to see a dwon home country smokehouse in the middle of urban decay chic. Eagle Provisions, eat your frigging heart out.

Carmen wrote: congrats to both of you! I lost 30 lbs on ww about a year ago..gained back in the last three months (the stress of moving to NYC then being here with all the glorious food...) I'm thinking sept 1 I start again. But its so damn hard in this city...ack!

For me, it's all about the sushi and vegetarian Indian options.

Subject: Re: ..

Stella wrote: No one mentioned Coco Roco, the Peruvian Place on 5th Ave. I've only been there twice, but it was really good.

La Villa is terrific, too.

There was this other place where I had a great Lamb Chop, but I can't remember what it was called, or what street it's on. It was some sort of Spanish Cusine, I just can't specify at the moment. I'll get back to you on this. (It's across the street from the Camp Bar, I believe)

Is the Minnow really good? I've been meaning to try it some day.

Do you guys like Laila? It's a Middle Eastern Restaurant on 7th Ave.

I tried Laila. I didn't like it all that much. Mr. Falafel is the big mudmas in the 'hood for me.

Stella wrote: I don't really like it either, to tell the truth, but I might be getting a job there soon. You all will come visit, right? :roll:

It depends. Will you belly dance for me when you bring me my baklava?

Stella wrote: If it means better tips, I just might! :twisted:

Show me the honey, I'll show you the money.

brooklynpotter wrote: i love minnow, though others don't. you can get your dinner at bar-minnow, eat outside, and it's quiet.

i think laila sucks, but that's just me. olive vine is a staple around my house. as is anthony's pizza. amazingly good.

Laila used to be really good, but things have gone downhill. Laila at one time was just about the only restaurant this side of 9th Street, remember that? Olive Vine is pretty good for what it is. Anthony's is wonderful. Minnow used to be really good but I read somewhere (here?) that the restaurant now has the same limited menu as the bar. I haven't confirmed that so probably shouldn't be spreading rumors.

I had a really good dinner at Applewood last week.

Idlewild wrote:

Remember Alladin? I'm not a fan of Olive Vine either. They were pretty good when their first store opened, now it's the same ole.

I remember there was a little middle eastern place around 13th Street or so -- Alladin?

My husband was living on 7th between 13th and 14th when I met him in 1991, and it was pretty desolate over here. There was Laila's and that other middle eastern place, the little Chinese take-out place, and a bunch of empty storefronts. I guess the diner must have been there too. Now we have Baby Bird with $60 infant tee-shirts. :? But I can't complain about all the new restaurants, Steinhof, etc. Though it would be nice to have something useful like a hardware store.

brooklynpotter wrote: [quote=Carnivore][quote=trixieNYC][quote=Carnivore]What do you guys think of Union Market?

it's ok in a bind but to be honest, I think they're grossly overpriced.
That was kind of my impression, but their stuff does look nice. They kind of struck me as a sort of local smaller-scale Dean and Deluca.

i love that place, but the prices are absolutely ridiculous.

I'm late to this thread, but . . .

Union Market: The coffee beans are good, and you can get fish and fresh ravioli all from the same supplier of Gourmet Garage.
Otherwise, expensive.

There's a rehab'd deli called Fifth Ave Deli, at Sackett (I think...) that has the local market nailed. Best. deli. ever.
(But they sell lousy bagels.)

The Bierkraft Growler is brilliant. And I don't especially like beer.

Trixie, I'm with you on the wine. I go to Astor (now on Lafayette at 4th St)
but locally
try SIP on west side of Fifth Ave close to Flatbush - maybe St. Mark's. It's tiny, it's well selected. They have good bottles in the $15 range, current favorite at my house is the "Boroli, Bricco 4 Fratelli, Barbera D'Alba Superiore, 2003."

The grungy looking wine store on Flatbush/Park Place by the Q train is not half bad. Prices reasonable, esp if they have what you are looking for...

Matter is full of stuff you want someone else to buy for you, and there's often affordable original art in the back room.

Cog and Pearl (Fifth and Sackett) has great groovy bits, too.

Anyone mention the Key Food on Fifth Ave?
Best all around conventional grocery in the Slope -- some of the other ones like Associated (on Fifth and President) are cleaning themselves up and stocking soy milk to keep up. Yet, I go to the Co-op, and I love it . . .
but the Co-op is Not For Everyone
(ahem)

A & S Pork Store is fabulous - good cheap giant shareable sandwiches, and, well, you can buy non-hydrogenated lard there.
(In case you gotta fry a chicken.)

Best tamales in the Slope: are at the flower stand on Fourth Ave between 10th and 11th St

caaahyoko wrote: [quote=Idlewild]I checked out a Polish meat/deli place on 5th Avenue between Prospect Ave and 17th Street called Juilat today. I must say that their veal roll (with a pate and dill stuffing) and smoked hard sausage and double smoked kielbasa is pretty damn good. It's nice to see a dwon home country smokehouse in the middle of urban decay chic. Eagle Provisions, eat your frigging heart out.

YES! We enjoyed a sausage from there this week. $4.50 and it was enough for two breakfasts for two people (with eggs and toast).

This reminds me: while it's not in PS/WT, Tom's Restaurant in PH serves killer turkey bacon. Usually turkey bacon's just kind of... blah. At Tom's, it's carmelized and savory and delicious. Really surprising.

Carry on...

Pizza: Smiling Pizza for a slice, Two Boots for a pie

Cobb Salad: Two Boots

Bagels: La Bagel

Coffee: Starbucks (doh!)

Wine: Prospect Wine Shop (friendly staff really knows their stuff)

Quick Shopping: Kim's Bodega (7th between 8th & 9th st)

Fast, Quick Junk Food Delivery: Happy Fresh Taco

Magazine Selection: Barnes & Noble

Produce: If not the dreaded Coop, the C Town on 9th St

Pharmacy: 8th Street and 8th Ave, Brian is the best.

Turkey Burger: Dizzy's

Guacamole: Miracle Grill

Pedicure: Studio 97 (though they will hustle you out quickly)

Car Service: Eastern (I am a new convert)

Healthy Food: Second Helpings

I am a bloodthirsty meat eater and generally avoid all vegan things. But I will give it a go if you say they are indeed just as yummy as the butter-soaked real thing.

Rare Device has some beautiful things and the owner is warm and friendly. I'd shop there more often if I could afford to.

Oh I love their dinner and two sides deal they got going there. Espescially the pepper crusted tuna. I have to find out if they use a marinade on it...somehow it never seems to taste so fishy. And their squash vermacelli is really yummy.

Espresso - only one place can make it properly - Cafe Regular 11th and 5th