Dean & Deluca, 560 Broadway at Prince, 226-6800

Dean & Deluca in SoHo is a great place for celebrity watching. The store is immaculate, with gorgeous displays of delicious food at every turn. Good selection of prepared foods and desserts, prices run high.

Fairway, 2127 Broadway at 74 St, 595-1888 and 2328 12 Ave at 133 St, 234-3883

Fairway is chock full of stuff and the prices are low. You can taste the cheeses, smell the coffee, and get free samples of bread. Shopping here is fun when it's not too crowded.

Zabar's, 2245 Broadway, 80th St, 787-2000

Zabar's has been around since 1934, a true NYC landmark. "With a great selection of domestic and international foods, a vast range of innovative cookware and housewares, and the most delicious, gourmet gifts, Zabar's has indeed earned its reputation as a world-famous destination for all that's fresh, new, and exciting in the culinary world."

Balducci's, 424 6th Ave, 9th & 10th Street, 673-2600 or 155 West 66th St, 653-8320

"Since 1916, the people at Balducci's have been bringing epicures the finest in what the food world has to offer."

Agata & Valentina, 1505 First Avenue at 79th Street, 452-0690

This Italian gourmet shop has fresh fish available daily.

Citarella, 2135 Broadway at 75th Street or 1313 Third Avenue, 212-874-0383

Down the street from Fairway, "Citarella is regarded as one of New York City’s top food Mecca, a destination for the discerning. Mike Citarella created Citarella in 1912 in Harlem’s Sugar Hill section of New York. A jewel of a store where fish was piled high on marble slabs, sawdust scattered on the floor and dedicated employees were quick to help customers. That store eventually moved to its present location where its reputation as a reliable seafood market has grown together with New Yorkers’ ever-discriminating palates."

Gourmet Garage

412 Greenwich St, (212) 535-5880
435 Broome St, (212) 941-5850
301 E 64th St, (212) 535-6271
2567 Broadway @ 96th St, (212) 663-0656 Gourmet garage has a nice selection of gourmet goodies in an unpretentious setting.

See also: Green markets are great for farm fresh produce.

Please send comments and suggestions to the editors! nyc@mediabridge.com