A grocery with the feel of the long closed Balducci's on Sixth Avenue in Greenwich Village

[Icook2]

On each visit to the city, I lament the loss of this gem. Is there anything that resembles it? The bakery section and prepared foods were wonderful---not to mention the olives and deli meats.

[penthouse pup]

Nothing's wrong with Citarella but Agata and Valentina is a good analogue for Balducci's (owners are related) and in a month or two, it will also be located on University Place and 10 th Street.
Other store is First Ave and 79th.

http://www.agatavalentina.com/

-----
Citarella
424 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Agata & Valentina
1505 1st Ave, New York, NY 10021

Agata & Valentina
64 University Pl, New York, NY 10003

[bob96]

Funny no one mentions Grace's Marketplace, founded by a Balducci but not sure who owns it now. Don't shop there myself, but ghe interior and the slightly old fashioned inventory has much of the old Village store feel. Third and 71st.

-----
Grace's Marketplace
1237 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10021

[penthouse pup]

Some things are quite good there but I have found seafood and bakery to be low quality.

[iluvcookies]

Places like Westside Market and Garden of Eden capture a little of the feel (in terms of size/layout), but nothing really comes close to the old Balducci's.

Dean and Deluca in Soho is on par, quality wise, to what Balducci's used to have, but has a very different atmosphere.

-----
Westside Market
2171 Broadway, New York, NY 10024

Garden of Eden
2780 Broadway, New York, NY 10025

[Icook2]

Thank you, I always considered Balducci's a destination. Some of my food "firsts" were there. It was magical at Christmas and Easter. I always wanted to eat at the noodle place across the street. Do you know if it is still there and if it is worth a try?

[iluvcookies]

You mean Sammy's? I haven't been in years. It was OK, but you can get much better food in Chinatown for less $$.

I also miss Balducci's... my DH and I used to stop there when we were dating and get just a little bit of cheese, a few olives, some bread. I bought my (now) FIL a coffee mug there that he still uses, because he loved the store and he loves coffee. What a sweet place, wish it wasn't gone.

-----
Sammy's Noodle Shop
453 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011

[addictedtolunch]

Fairway is much less elegant (and somewhat less expensive) but usually serves the purpose, which may explain why the niche left empty by Balducci's doesn't demand to be filled.

-----
Fairway Market
2127 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

[Icook2]

Thank you, appreciate your response.