By Caroline Beneviste
We received a number of responses to our article last month about food shopping in the West Village. Three of the respondents graciously agreed to let us publish their letters. Here they are:
I am shocked, actually. For bread, Amy’s Bread on Bleecker, next door to Murray’s, has a wide range of delicious breads and twists (they also have a location in Chelsea Market, but that is beyond your Greenwich Village boundary). Faicco’s has excellent handmade sausage of many kinds, along with mozzarella and yummy prosciutto bread. Li-Lac Chocolates, at 40 8th Avenue, is our own favorite Village chocolate place, and they are very socially conscious.
—Jane Kendall
I am surprised you didn’t include Dickson’s in Chelsea Market for meat: locally-sourced, heritage breeds where available, house-made specialty charcuterie, etc. I wouldn’t buy pork anywhere else.
—Ruth Halligan
I would add the Abingdon Square Saturday Farmers’ Market to this list. There are some wonderful options from local purveyors there, including: the wonderful Muddy Farm; fresh caught fish from Suffolk County; Kernan Farms; and Florence Butcher on Jones Street, which dates to 1936 and is the originator of the Newport Steak. I would also add Li-Lac Chocolates on 8th Avenue and Jane Street, the oldest chocolatier in Manhattan. Thanks for considering these additions.
—Gammy Miller
It was a big oversight on my part to omit Li-Lac. I love their chocolates. Many things there are good, but my favorites are the Butter Crunch and the Hazelnut Truffle Squares. Similarly, I agree wholeheartedly about Amy’s Bread. I usually go to the larger Chelsea Market location. Some favorites there are the Parker House Rolls, Ciabatta Rolls, and the outstanding and unusual Organic Whole Wheat, Oat, Pecan, and Golden Raisin Rolls. I did mention Faicco’s in my article for their soppressata. I should have mentioned their sausages, particularly the Cheese and Parsley. I have not had their prosciutto bread in years but remember that it was yummy. I used to buy mozzarella there but now prefer the one at Agata and Valentina. I shopped at Florence Meat Market in the past—I’m not sure why I stopped. I have very fond memories of a Newport Steak I bought there once. Obviously, I am missing something by not patronizing Dickson’s—I will plan on righting that wrong. And finally, I do not go to the Abingdon Square Farmer’s Market, but it seems I should.
Thanks for the suggestions—please keep them coming at wvnewsinout@gmail.com.
