Foodie Trip NYC

Yelp Review:
Yes it's pricey, yes it's crowded, yes it's full of tourists. But it is legendary for good reason. If you love food, go there. That is all. And may I add, the black and white mini cookies are the stuff dreams are made of.

Yelp Review:
This place is my sanctuary in New York City.

It's a wonderland of lush greens, fragrant flowers, colorful berries, mounds of rich cheeses, and fresh meats both from land and sea. Unique among Manhattan markets, Fairway has everything you desire in one location. There are an incredible amount of imported products, spices, cheeses, etc. You can find extensive ingredients for Thai, Japanese, Italian, French, and British (if you so choose to cook British fare). The produce is varied, numerous, and very fresh. There are tropical fruits that I have never even heard of available here. Also, there is a separate, chilled room for meats, dairy, and seafood products. They even have the courtesy of supply jackets to patrons for entering the room (though I try to steer clear of community clothing). The prices are reasonable, especially for the quality of the products.

I've always had a penchant for Grocery Markets, so this place is a dream come true. The only way to possibly improve upon its perfection would be to play classical music over the speakers... now that really would be heaven.

Yelp Review:
This place is awesome, the cookies are huge, the taste is wonderful and you won't be disappointed. i ordered one of each, my favorites are the oatmeal and dark chocolate chip--the dark peanut butter chip i would have like the chips to be melted and the chocolate chip with walnut was not that spectacular, very good--but not great. Levain gets four stars because ultimately all the cookies were delicious, i just had my personal favorites but can still appreciate all of them

Yelp Review:
The five stars is for the price, selection and simply fantastic ability to try anything you might want for next to nothing. I've bought fantastic serving plates for less than $10 and I've bought $1.55 bags of fresh noodles (go straight to the very back of the store, where there are fridges- not freezers- get a bag of the Shanghai noodles, either papardelle witdth or udon style).

In the freezer section, they have huge bags of house made dumplings for $11 to $15 dollars (which can feed you for a good half a week if that's all you eat). They have fresh cooked food (everything from intestine to duck to tripe and chicken feet).

My favorite thing about Kam Man is that I always come across something new. And the prices are such that I always say "Well, I've got to try it for that price". Whether it's a different type of ramen noodle or a dried type of meat, it's like stepping into Alice in Wonderland for adults. You never know what might appear next but it's just familiar enough that you're not scared of it, yet unfamiliar enough that you think it's rather strange.

But then again, what's the point of life if not living?

Yelp Review:
A West Village institution since 1929, it's a gourmet grocery store that attempts to appeal to all palates - they offer an orange, marshmallow, and shredded-coconut fruit salad along with the finest goose-liver pate. The front is devoted to packaged and canned goods better priced in the chain supermarkets, but most shoppers don't come here for the staples, they head to the rear for the delicious prepared salads, fresh fish, a wide array of cheese, and one of the best butcher counters in Manhattan.

Yelp Review:
The biggest selection of cheese I've ever seen anywhere in the world. I'm only an aspiring cheese connoisseur, but I tasted three different cheeses and they were each very complex and delicious. I will definitely order some online, can't wait.

Yelp Review:
Granted, Kalustyan's is overpriced, but while you certainly can find any South/Central Asian foodstuff you could possibly need in any of the neighboring shops that dot Curry Hill, nothing but nothing will come to your aid in a pinch.

Why? Because Kalustyan's has everything you need from the Near East, the Middle East, the Far East, and all points proximal!

They have a complete array of spices, Asian sauces of all types, dried fruits, nuts, herbs, fresh produce, breads, magic carpets, illicit paraphernalia, and even a snake charmer! Scratch the last three, but you really will find any exotic ingredient you could possibly need at a moment's notice.

One time, a friend pleaded me to cook for a party, all with four hours' notice. I needed pandan leaves, thick coconut cream, jaggery, palm vinegar, and a host of other esoteric comestibles. While these are all decidedly southeast Asian in origin, I never remembered seeing dahon pandan or jaggery in a Chinatown market. And I needed them. Like, right away.

So I high-tailed it to Kalustyan's and, lo and behold, they had the goods. A little more expensive than the going rate, but they saved the day!

Oh, yeah, and they have four kinds of baklava. Greek, Turkish, Arabic, and Persian. Think of it as a Wal-Mart for the gourmet kitchen.

Yelp Review:
This is my local bodega...well, mainly Hercules deals in fine beer.

Located at 7th and Morton St, you'll find a plethora of fine and rare brews here. Not only that, but Hercules is a great shop owner. Super friendly and courteous; he's always cordial and ready for conversation.

He stocks Westmalle Tripel 750ml for a few bucks cheaper than I've found it thus far in Manhattan.

If you're in the West Village, give Herc some business; we want to see him remain a staple of the neighborhood.

Parking from 1-4 on Saturday should be 26$