I fully believe in walking into grocery stores just to lustfully pine after that cheese you can’t afford (or don’t have a place to store, in my case). The vicarious thrill of handling boxes of exotic imported snack foods is almost as fun as eating them. In some cases, it’s more fun than eating them. Especially if they’re licorice-flavored. Ew.
So my newest list for Citysearch is five places which are fun (and cheap!) to browse around. If I could extend the list, I’d also add Wine and Cheese Cask in Somerville which has a great cheese, cracker, and chocolate section along with their wines. Since I’m not a big drinker, I prefer to stare at the cheese section…
Grocery Shopping like its Window Shopping on Boston Citysearch
Buying groceries shouldn’t be drudgery – think of it as an adventure, a way to explore aisle six like the anthropologist you are. I offer you five places to stock not only your pantry but your heart as well, stores that will fill your cart and warm your stomach, tingle your olfactory glands and numb your lips. Don’t forget to pick up some frozen dumplings. >> Read the list
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I would add Bazaar International (bazaarboston.com) Russian grocery store. 6 types of Feta?, smoked fish, pickled everything, of and who could forget the salted/cured meats
Savenor’s (savenorsmarket.com) Duck confit? Where are you gonna get a a few quarts of duck fat? Look no further
And if you ever make it out to Norwood, Cedars Market (cedarsmarket.com) is a gem. Middle-eastern / mediterranean
Posted by Daniel | February 26, 2010, 1:44 pmHow could I forget Savenor’s? Thanks for the additional recs!
Posted by Lingbo Li | February 26, 2010, 1:56 pmFormaggio Kitchen (www.formaggiokitchen.com) & Dave’s Fresh Pasta (www.davesfreshpasta.com) both are dangerous to the wallet.
Posted by Ben | February 26, 2010, 2:16 pmAhh! Clearly, it’s impossible to limit someone to five picks, Formaggio’s is excellent. Haven’t been to Dave’s yet, but definitely been meaning to check it out.
Posted by Lingbo Li | February 26, 2010, 2:18 pmSherman Market is tiny but fun. I’m definitely gonna try that spice shop!
Posted by Andrew | February 26, 2010, 2:34 pmFormaggio Kitchen is anything but cheap, but it is so good.
A few more off the beaten path:
- Marty’s Liquors in Newton is not only the best place to find unusual wines, spirits and beers, but also has a very comprehensive and relatively inexpensive gourmet store attached to it.
- H-Mart in Burlington is a Korean paradise.!
- If you can’t make it out to H-Mart, the very small J & K Han A Rum Oriental Market in North Cambridge is my favorite for Korean products — I prefer it to Lotte and Reliable Markets.
- Walnut Market on Lincoln St in Newton Highlands has lots of Persian and Canadian products, including the best Whitefish Salad within 90 miles of Boston.
- Waban Market in Newton is my favorite Russian market.
- Super 88 in Allston is a lot closer, and now is well stocked again, but for the largest Chinese market around I like Kam Man in Quincy. On the opposite end of the size scale, Jin Mi Oriental Foods in Newtonville has a friendly owner who will talk knowledgeably about his products, even if the selection in this specialty store isn’t so large.
- I like the little Brazilian store in Union Square Somerivlle, although I forget what it’s called. The friendly owner is happy for people to come in and drink the free coffee, although I tend to buy something when I do.
- A. Russo & Sons in Watertown has the freshest produce I’ve ever seen.
- Whole Foods isn’t always my favorite place, and its nickname of “Whole Paycheck” is well deserved, but they do often have great produce and excellent fish in particular.
Posted by Sam Lipoff | February 26, 2010, 6:57 pmFood and wine shopping are too much fun! I love Esprit du vin in Milton, South End Formaggio, Russo’s in Watertown, Lambert’s, and there are a couple of great European markets in Dorchester near us, EuroMart and European Deli which offer lots of Eastern European delicacies, pastries, and beers. Yum.
Posted by Meghan@traveleatlove | February 26, 2010, 7:35 pmThanks for the list! We just moved to Cambridge and are looking for some good places to shop. (My girlfriend loves to cook.) I retweeted your list.
Posted by Seth Resler | February 27, 2010, 7:20 amshopping definitely makes me feel better …really raises my spirits
Posted by acne treatment shopping | March 5, 2011, 1:23 amI savor, lead to I found just what I used to be looking for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
Posted by home shopping europe | May 10, 2012, 1:39 am