moving to the ues
In 2 weeks I will be moving to the UES, 89th & 3rd to be exact. Although I am familiar with the area I was wondering if you hounds could recommend some good take out/delivery spots as well as sit down restaurants, nothing too fancy or expensive.
Also, I am a big fan of Whole Foods as well as Fairway. I know I can always go to Union Square on the express train if necessary or hop on a bus across town but let's be realistic, how often will this really happen. What are some good alternative markets in the neighborhood for me to shop at?
Your help is greatly appreciated.
By mch
on Jul 1, 2008 11:01 AM
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Welcome to the neighborhood - I'm over on Madison in the 90s! There have been a couple of good threads on this subject that I'll find for you. We do most of our shopping at Citarella on Third at 75th, but we are fortunate to have a car, and so do often head downtown or to the UWS to shop as well. There is a Dean & Deluca on Madison and 86th, but, putting aside the high prices, I don't like their fish and their produce is often problematic. There are other markets in the area - Pioneer at Lex and 92nd, which I rarely go to, Food Emporium on Madison, which I also think is lousy and overpriced, the Vinegar Factory at the east end of 91st St. - expensive, but high quality - better than Dean & Deluca - though I end up going to Eli's on Third instead, since it's on the way home from Citarella. There's also a Gourmet Garage at 96th & Park - I checked it out when they opened, but don't really shop there either. Schatzie's is a great, albeit expensive, butcher on Madison and maybe 88th?
You do have Milano's nearby, which has a nice selection of Italian products.
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Some of the threads in this search should be useful:
http://www.chow.com/search?search%5Bq...
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I shop at Agata and Valentia most of the time. Great fish, great cheese, good produce and not crazy expensive.
1st and 79th.
Tipsy
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I keep meaning to go back there ... haven't checked it out for awhile. How do you think it compares to Citarella?
Have you tried Square Meal yet (grin)? Nice to see you around.
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LOL...thanks :) And NO...I still haven't been to Square Meal! I really need to get over there. Chances are I'll run into you when I do ;)
I don't shop at Citarella much. I used to when I first moved to the 'hood but I was so happy with Agata, I sort of dropped Citarella from my rounds. I do like their fish though.
Tipsy
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Well, they are open for lunch now too, if that works for you! And no, it's not like I'm there every night - more like once a month!
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Agreed. It's a great store. I like it better than Citarella, which is my second choice.
Vinegar Factor and Eli's are OBSCENELY expensive and not worth it - the quality is not better than Agata or Citarella.
Milano's has some good stuff, but their prepared foods do not thrill me. But bread, salamis, cheese, olive oil....all good.
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The only time I buy things at Eli's is when I can't find them at Citarella - particularly produce - and I do think that the quality of their produce - and the variety - is better.
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The best thing about that particular neighborhood is all the great little Italian places: Zaza, Rughetta, Nica. The worst: Asian food. Gayjmaru on 1st and 87th is good, so is Inase on 1st a few blocks lower, but beware Tenzan and others of its ilk. Chinese food is an utter joke. Donburi is good homecookin' Japanese, but a bit pricey. Elaine's is where those over 30 get drunk, under 30 have to go to bars clustered around 84-86 and 1st, 2nd. Secret red curtain villagey, out of place in the UES bar on 2nd and 89.
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I disagree about Chinese being a joke - Wu Liang Ye on 86th St. is very good. It's Sichuan.
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Wu Liang Ye on 86th has closed, thank God. It was really awful. Sorry, why would you call yourself a Sichuan resturant when half of your offerings are Cantonese?
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That post was written in 2008.
For good Sichuan on the UES, try Szechuan Chalet or Wa Jeal.
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I love that bar, but NYMag just outed it in their bar review the other week. It's also been getting really crowded lately. But the drinks are so cheap, the atmosphere is so great, I'll overlook the snotty attitude they sometimes have at the door (25 and over? please. you're on the upper east side, not the west village).
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Which bar? Auction House?
Tipsy
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yes, exactly.
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Welcome to the 'hood! It's pretty barren chow-wise here, I'm on 88/3rd.
I really like Michelle's Kitchen for quality take out (3rd Ave around 90-91?).
Schaller and Weber (2nd Ave 85/86th) for sausage.
Wu Liang Ye (86th 2nd/3rd) is fancy above average Sichuan.
Of course, there's always Papaya King for down and dirty dogs!
I agree that Agata and Citarella are the best markets, Vinegar Factory is good for amusement. I like to go in there and laugh loudly at the prices on their precious produce..
I'm hoping the food gods will shine on us and bring Whole Foods or Garden of Eden to one of the new buildings on 86th. Pray with me!!
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We're at 96&5th and often cart food back on the bus from the UWS or Trader Joe's at Union Square. We have been praying for a Trader Joe's to open 'round 86th in one of those new buildings. I heard from a TJ's employee that one will be opening on West 97th St.
I go to Gourmet Garage frequently (96th & Park) but it is not my everyday, staples store. The little Associated at Lex & 96th is actually quite good for that. Excellent produce section: as good or better most green grocers. I also love Agata and Valentina.
We really need more food place on the UES. Don't know why we are so deprived!
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Agata Valentina and Citarella for produce and meats
The Food Emporium on 2nd ave and 86th for everything else
There is also a butcher called Lobels that everyone raves about on Madison and 85th
as the poster before me noted, I agree, this happens to be the most culinary bland neighborhood. It seems like every other restaurant that opens here is Italian too.
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Lobel is incredible, with prices to match.
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Lobel's prices are CRAZY. The same with Eli's. Just ridiculous!
Way way way overpriced.
I live in the low 80's / First Ave., and I do my big shopping over at Fairway (Broadway). I have learned how much to buy that will fill 2 bags so I can carry them fairly easily on the 79th crosstown bus. Fairway has the best dairy prices (Dannon Lt. yogurt 75ยข compared to $1.09 at eastside D'ags), great meat and prepared foods.
Agata & Valentina has a great fish dept.
I like 'Chirpin' Chicken' - Lex and 85th
For delicious Turkish/Mediterranean food...Beyoglu
Third Ave and 81st.
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Don't forget there's a new COSTCO @ 117th & Pleasant Ave. Take the 1st ave bus up to 116th & 1st & follow all the people with carts & big bags east one block. I've been getting things there and portioning them before putting them in the freezer. You can even do that with their wonderful rotisserie chickens which are very good and very cheap.
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