Union Market: Delish But No Bargain
Given Clinton Hill’s limited selection of gourmet food (L’Epicerie, that’s it), we decided to head over to Union Market (at Union and Sixth Avenue) in Park Slope on Saturday to shop for a dinner we were giving that night. We had a great experience–decent cheese selection, great meats, not too crowded–until we got to the…
Given Clinton Hill’s limited selection of gourmet food (L’Epicerie, that’s it), we decided to head over to Union Market (at Union and Sixth Avenue) in Park Slope on Saturday to shop for a dinner we were giving that night. We had a great experience–decent cheese selection, great meats, not too crowded–until we got to the cash register. Ouch! $1.79 for an Emmi yogurt? Manhattan prices to be sure. But the pork loin that we seasoned with just a little garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper and threw on the grill turned out great so we weren’t complaining. Guess you get what you pay for!
What Brooklyn really needs is a Trader Joe’s!!! Great healthy unique stuff… Cheap prices!. Long Island and Jersey’s got em, why not us!
When you mention the local Key Foods in Clinton Hill, would that be on Waverly Ave? I used to shop there when I lived in Fort Greene on Clermont Ave, as it was the only alternative at the time. I think it was an Associated then, though. They specialized in goat at the time — which reminds me I’ve never seen any goat at Western Beef. Odd — maybe I’ve just been oblivious.
I stopped at the Pathmark in the horrible Atlantic Terminal mall the other day because I was in Fort Greene on a Sunday evening and I needed some things. It was gross and crowded, but I was pleasantly surprised by some things — like they had fresh tarragon. I’m sure they carry arugula too.
Costco is not feasible if you don’t have a car. And remember before venturing there that they don’t give bags or anything to put your purchases in (this is not a criticism — I often try to bring my own tote bag when shopping).
And I’m sorry about the environmental consequences, but living where I do (Prospect Lefferts Gardens), Fresh Direct is often the only alternative — like most of the above, I use them for basic items, soda, water, juice, and beer by the case, 12 packs of paper towels and toilet paper, etc. — stuff I couldn’t physically carry home from (or isn’t carried by) my local outposts. I also enjoy adding some of their more “gourmet” items – cheeses, meats pacakaged for freezing, etc., since they’re coming anyway, but for my every day stuff I stop at Whole Foods in Union Square near my work and schlep it home on the train.
Whole Foods’ own-label goods aren’t too expensive, considering the quality of their ingredients. And I have become increasingly concerned about what’s in most of the industrialized food we buy, so I do buy their meat and dairy products for those reasons, even if their meat is at times shockingly expensive.
If I get home early enough I also go to the Western Beef on Empire Boulevard — it was a revelation to me when I finally discovered where they kept their meat! Not big on the “gourmet” stuff, but OK for the basics and certainly an eye-opener — now I know where to go the next time I want chicken or cow feet (I couldn’t stop looking at that the first time I saw it). And a truly incredible selection of spices in bulk. Other bulk items too, but I can’t carry all that home. And my conscience does bother me knowing that their chickens, cows and calves, and pigs have probably been fed who-knows-what and lived in horrible conditions — I always wash the chicken and produce really well.
the local key foods in clinton hill does not carry arugula, so I rest my case. I just don’t get why people get so pissed off at FD. I’m sure you don’t hate the environment, but it is not like the truck only delivers to me. It delivers to my other neighbors, who I know and interact with regularly, both in local stores and outside of them. I do not know anyone who uses FD as their only food source and do not know of any instances where grocery stores have gone out of business because of FD. If anything, it forces them to offer a better selection of produce, meats and other products in order to compete. I think you need to calm down. If you are going to make ridiculous statements like everyone who uses FD is harming their neighbors, you should expect people who don’t agree to let you know it. Again, hyperbole people. It’s not like FD trucks are the only traffic in NYC. And if you truly are concerned about pollution, can you get to work by public transport?
to the person who called me a hypocrite because i drive my car to work, all i can say is your an idiot. how can you compare my use of my car to go to work as the same as a truck double parked which pollutes at least five times more. and my car is only one part taken out of context. what about the noise, congestion and the jobs being sucked out of your neighborhood. does that not count in the equation. what about the lack of interaction with your neighbors by staying at home waiting for your food. what about that fresh direct uses the streets as their supermarket, not paying rent to be there. have you seen the articles in the times about the fresh direct truck plague on the upper west side. yes i drive a car and therefore according to you hate the enviorment but don’t make it that there aren’t social costs so that you can get arugula delivered to your door.
FD may force crappy supermarkets out of business but it also forces others to compete by improving prices and selection. win win for customers. I use both.
Groceries, huh? Try living in Crown Heights!
I pass Union Market all the time on my way back from grocery shopping. It’s just not convenient for me. I would probably shop there occasionally if it were walking distance.
We go to Costco to stock up on staples, but you do have shop as carefully there as you do anywhere else.
We also go to the Key Food on 5th ave and Sterling, because, well, there’s parking and it’s a pretty good market.
Having lived for almost 10 years on Union Square, I do miss the greenmarket there, but I do shop at Grand Army Plaza as often as I can. I can’t get enough local tomatos when they’re in season.
Fresh Direct doesn’t deliver to Crown Heights, and I’m not sure I would use them.
Specialty foods? I shop in Manhattan after work and carry stuff home on the train.
Occasionally I stop in one of the smelly grocery/supermarkets on Nostrand Ave on my walk home from the subway. Limes are 10 for a dollar on Nostrand.
hahahahahaha@ anon 11:18 “Whole Paycheck, uh, Whole Foods” that’s hilarious.
Also try the Saturday Farmer’s Market in Fort Greene Park for fresh fish, meats, cheese/dairy and loads of veggies!
And check out the Clinton Hll CSA.
http://clintonhillcsa.org/
Farm-fresh vegetables (plus meat, egg, flower & fruit shares) from June – November. Pick-up is at PS56 (Gates & Downing) right around the corner from your house.