Where can I buy unusual artisanal honey?

[cynara]

I'm looking to buy a gift for a friend who likes artisanal honey. I know you can buy certain varieties in gourmet stores, but I'm looking for something that's a bit more unusual. It could be local / regional, but it doesn't have to be. I'm also mailing this, so it would have to be packaged pretty well.

Any ideas?

[sugartoof]

Union Square has more than one honey stand, but for unusual, you want the one associated with the local beekeepers groups. They sell a cream honey in addition to the regular, and soaps, etc. and the stand is usually run in part by a crop of young, often female volunteers who are caught up in the trend of "urban beekeeping".

You can also check these:
http://www.brooklynhoney.com/
http://gothamcitybees.com/

Whisk, Brooklyn Standard, and Radish are carrying honey from the first link, which is small batch from a rooftop hive.

Other places to check - Northern Spy Co. in the pantry area in the back (call first, see if they have honey in stock), and all the artisanal shops carrying local products like Marlow and Daughters, etc.

[ospreycove]

http://www.gooserockfarm.com/abouthon...

[asiansupper]

Buon Italia in Chelsea Market has a fairly big selection

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Buon Italia
75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

[funniduck]

Do they have chestnut honey? I've been looking for that...

[asiansupper]

sorry, can't say offhand ... i'll post if i happen by there

[asiansupper]

stopped by and yes, they do.

[fauchon]

Tasmanian Leatherwood honey is memorable. In NYC I buy it at Grace's Marketplace...not at all sugary/sweet but a dryer, more sophisticated flavor...

[Gigi007]

I love Savannah Bee Company's honey sold at Dean & DeLuca and Gourmet Garage, but it may not be unique enough for you. I also recall that Chelsea Wine Vault in Chelsea market used to sell delicious honey from a small New York producer. You might check with them.

[jasmurph]

Fairway actually has a good selection. Make sure to check the regular and organic aisles. They've started carrying Bee Raw honeys, which might be the best in the nation. Try the Star Thistle, the Saw Palmetto, and the Sweet Yellow Clover (I know, Clover is so boring--not this clover honey!)

The tiny Formaggio shop in Essex St. Market has a good selection. The Cambridge, MA shop carries Ames Honey, which is this great artisanal producer from Minnesota, so the Essex St. shop might carry them, too, or might get them if you like.

Kalustyan's also got a good selection.

I think the Blue Ribbon honey is good, but sort of one-dimensional. All the same, the Manchego-Honey Toast is pretty irresistible.

[E Eto]

I recently noticed a little food boutique shop in the concourse at Grand Central, just outside the entrance to the food market near the Zaro's stand. They had some interesting honeys for sale. I only looked at the window displays so I'm not sure what they offer.

[cynara]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I ended up stopping by Blue Ribbon and picked up a bottle of Golden Reserve honey. All this talk of honey has given me a craving for blue cheese and honeycomb. May have to swing by the farmer's market on Saturday to see if they have it.

[_emilie_]

They had a few at Kalustyans the last time I was in there so it could be worth a look (though the one I got was disappointing).

[travpard]

I think Union Square Greenmarket has a vendor that sells honey.

[JeremyEG]

They do. I'm not sure how unusual it is but it's certainly delicious!
JeremyEG

[ChefJune]

The vendor in Union Square (on Saturdays, for sure) sells several varieties of honey. I think you will have to package it for shipping yourself, though you could ask them. Their honey is wonderful. It's a staple at our house.

[chow_gal]

Blue Ribbon Market. Years ago they discovered that the family of one of their workers raises their own bees for honey in Mexico. They now offer it retail via their website and their store. It's delicious.

http://www.blueribbonrestaurants.com/...