Food tour of LES area...

[Nalega]

I've got a metrocard and about 4 hours to explore the lower east side, including chinatown and little italy. I'm looking for some shops to explore with great food, good selection and knowledgable shop owners: Dumplings, cheese, pickles (?), wine....

Where should I go?

[kathryn]

RGR's famous gustatory tour of the Lower East Side:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/493333

[RGR]

Thanks, kathryn, for recommending my tour.

Nalega, My tour does not include stops for dumplings and cheese, but you can easily add on the Dumpling House, on Eldridge, and Saxelby's Cheese, in the Essex St. Market. In Little Italy, you should definitely stop into Di Palo's Fine Foods, on Grand St.

Enjoy and Bon Appetit!

[Nalega]

Awesome - thanks! I just added russ and daughters to my list, and dipalos was already on it. Dumpling house might be perfect too.... this might end up taking more time than just the afternoon!

[rose water]

I prefer the Pickle Guys over Gus's pickles recommended in RGR's tour. From there, you'll be right across Essex St from Donut Plant and Kossar's bialys, both fantastic.

[Nalega]

We barely scratched the surface, but ended up doing (and eating):

Russ and Daughters (blintz and chocolate)
Essex Street Market (cheese sandwich)
Pickle Guys (sour pickles)
Donut Plant (key lime glazed donut)
Dumpling House (boiled veggie dumplings)
Dipalos (ricotta and mozerella)
Pegu Club (gin/mint cocktail)

Thanks for your input!