Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Sourcing


On Monday Vince came home later than usual, having stopped on the way at Wholefoods to stock up on some organic things we can't find in this hood. Our previous daily, per-meal shopping method has unraveled and is slowly reknitting itself into a different pattern. Greens upstream, organic fruit and basic groceries downstream (the stream is mostly Lenox Avenue), milk and eggs and butter - and tamarind! - to the east, the good and pricey butcher to the west, though I've only been there once.

But missing from the new pattern is organic poultry, good bread, and decent cheese (a bakery/cheesery/wine bar would do very well, here). So I've been baking a lot. And once a week we'll do the Wholefoods thing, unless we figure something else out...

He brought with him a surprise of Bluepoint oysters, which he shucked (they would not let me in), and we ate them with home made brown bread and the requisite dry bubbly. We joked that the zinc would be good for his cold, but it may have encouraged mine, as I came down with it the next day.

When it simmers down (my nose would make Rudolf blush) I'll disperse the nice potting soil stacked in bags on the deck, repot the fig tree, and plant out a few more of the potted plants that traveled from Brooklyn.

13 comments:

  1. Is the 132nd (?) Street Fairway not on your radar? GH

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is peversely awkward to get to. The Fairway on the UWS is easier as it's right on the 2/3.

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    3. The cheese 'counter' alone is worth a visit. 125th Street 'cross' town? I know buses take a long time...

      Delete
  2. There is a market between 118th and 119th and Frederick Douglas. I remember two levels and crowded....GH Levain (sp?) Bakery is nearby, no bread however. Good mini brioche but pricey. GH

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have also moved to a new 'hood ... in Vancouver, British Columbia. Many changes and challenges re food have arisen: a wild and crazy Chinese market nearby, a pricey supermarket 25 minutes away on foot, and a convection/microwave oven with glass-top stove and bar fridge. Have not figured it out. One of the challenges of living in a converted shipping container down at the docks. Your comment today struck a chord.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have to tell us more. Or start a blog. The bar fridge must be a big challenge. You can plagiarize and call it The Shipping News. Or...Contained. Or just Down at the Docks?

      I miss Vancouver.

      Delete
  4. I posted on an earlier post, not sure if you saw. Grocery shopping was one of the reasons I left the 'hood you're in now - I had a 2 year old at the time and it was basically impossible to buy decent produce and meat (I was on 131st and Lenox), though the neighborhood has changed a lot in the 6 years since I moved - The Best Yet Market on Fredrick Douglass at 117th that Gabriela mentioned was one of the reasons we picked our next apt - on 115th right by your new butcher - they have a good selection of produce (and cheese, meat, seafood and organic poultry and a AMAZING craft beer selection) and we still do our weekly shopping there despite moving to 85th and Columbus because the prices are so reasonable. One caveat is that I was there last week and was disappointed in their stock and the quality of the produce but that is one time out of probably 100 that I've been there and felt that way. A bit closer to you and better than the C-Towns in the neighborhood is the Fine Fare on 116th and Lenox, we'd take the bus there when we needed anything that wasn't sold in a box or a can.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Also, evidently I have very recently developed an aversion to the appropriately placed comma. Sorry about the lack of punctuation!

      Delete
    2. Two more quick neighborhood tidbits:

      Mushtari Bros on 125th btwn Lenox and 5th has a pretty decent (for being so close) selection of garden supplies and seeds (as well as being a decent hardware store).

      Taco Mix on 116th between 2nd and 3rd has the best pastor, and carnitas, tacos I've had in the city as well as all kinds of other interesting culinary treats. It's a hole in the wall with seating for maybe 6 people, but you guys should check it out next time you go to the Urban Garden Center. Definitely worth the walk.

      Delete
    3. I'll check you other comment...it may be waiting for moderation if it's on an older post.

      Yes, Fine Fare was surprising, as they have a decent selection of basic organics and fruit. So that's now the supermarket. Since two of you have mentioned Best Yet I shall visit it soon - a bit more of a hike but sounds worth it.

      I have already shopped at the Mushtari Bros!

      Taco Mix - thank you!

      And you know we have your LED lights in the kitchen, now? Changed my life.

      Delete
  5. I have tamarind! Bring a long ladder and you can pick your own!

    ReplyDelete

Comments on posts older than 48 hours are moderated (for spam control) . Yours will be seen! Unless you are a troll. Serial trollers are banned.