New York City Food Shops

Zabars, 2245 Broadway, between 80th and 81st. (www.zabars.com), The first thing you'll see when you walk into Zabars is the “Cheese Department.” Not just a section, but an entire department, filled with more cheese than you've ever seen in your life ($3.79-$23 per lb.). You may be tempted to stop right here (it's happened to many a shopper), but press on to the decadent bakery (items $1.50-$11), the deli with freshly prepared packaged meals ($7-8.49), the barrels of fresh coffee beans ($7-8 per lb.), and the olive bar, offering an abundance of different olive choices for $7 per pound. Next door to the grocery store (slightly more upscale than your average grocery store) is a cafe with a seating area for enjoying sandwiches ($5.50), smoothies ($4), and pastries($1.50-$3). Cafe sandwiches $5.50. Quiche $7. Smoothies $4. Coffee $1-3. Pastries $1.50-$3. Grocery store M-F 8am-7:30pm, Sa 8am-8pm, Su 9am-6pm; cafe M-F 7am-7pm, Sa 7:30am-7pm, Su 8am-6pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Bespoke Chocolates, 6 Extra Pl. (www.bespokechocolates.com), Follow the tantalizing scent of freshly made chocolate down a tiny alley for a gourmet treat you will never forget. The shop's specialty is the pretzel-covered sea-salted caramel. They warn that you should pop it all in your mouth at once, lest you lose any of the caramel goodness. Other delectable flavors include the chai spice, hazelnut praline, and white chocolate toasted almond truffle. Chocolates $2.25. Chocolate hazlenut spread $15. Pretzel bark $4.50. Chocolate almond toffee $7.50. Open Tu-F 11am-7pm, Sa-Su noon-8pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Dean and DeLuca, 560 Broadway, at Prince St. (www.deandeluca.com), The original Dean and DeLuca gourmet grocery store (founded 1977) is alive and kicking in SoHo. This is not the place to come for your day-to-day grocery needs, but for a fine cheese or a souvenir tin of Dean and DeLuca Tea, it is worth a stop. High-end dish and cookware can be found in the back, including some pretty surprising items, like Mexican molinillos ($14) and dishes made from recycled materials ($7). A livestock-shaped cookie labeled “Party Animal” might also tickle your fancy during your visit. Pastries $2-5. Cheeses $14-42 per lb. Fruit $3-7 per lb. Pasta $4.50-$8 per pack. Breads $4-10. Flowers $9-20 per dozen. Open M-F 7am-8pm, Sa-Su 8am-8pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.