Groceria and restaurant

[larud9233]

Does anyone have any favorite groceria/restuarants in the metro area? The most obvious example is Manganero's on 9th Ave. I would prefer Italian, but any ethnicity would do.

[larud9233]

These are nice suggestions. What I have in mind however, is a bit more of restaurant and not a cafeteria. Kitchen market is close to what I am seeking. I had not thought of them. I will try Despana. ALthough, I am a big fan of Kalustyan, it is too much of a cafetieria set-up. Perhaps, what I seek is very rare. I once went to a place in Queens (I can't remeber the name) that was an Italian market duing the day and a white table cloth restaurant at night. The house specialty was carbonara that was tossed in a hollowed out wheel of parmesan cheese. I was told a wine shop at the South St. seaport area with an Italian name was doing small bites and was a wine/fine food shop as well but I don't know the name. Any other suggestions?

[bobjbkln]

Since you ask in the Metro area, M & I International (249 Brighton Beach Avenue, Brooklyn) has a store selling fresh, packaged and prepared Russian foods on the ground floor and a café upstairs on the mezzanine. A classic not to be missed NY experience.

[Lucia]

I'm not sure if this is what you had in mind, but Buon Italia in Chelsea Market has plenty of food shopping and a stand of prepared food out front. I understand that Kalyustan also has a lunch counter upstairs.

[RGR]

Kalustyan's does have a wide assortment of prepared food upstairs. However, it would be hard to describe it as a restaurant since there are only two small tables. It's pretty much a take-out situation.

[Midtown Jimmi]

You should check out Despana on Broome Street.
http://www.despananyc.com/

They have delightful bocadillo sandwiches with velvety mellow Spanish ham and if you go during lunch or later, they have really nice olive oils and spreads set out to taste.

And for Mexican items there's Kitchen Market:
http://kitchenmarket.com/

It's on Eighth Ave and run by the Bright Food people.

www.SnapshotArtifact.org
(no food here, just my photoblog)

[carcrash]

Also, Despana's cafe con leche is probably the best coffee drink I've had in Manhattan.