Lawrence Weinzimer

Next to impossible not to love the local or semi-local offerings here each Saturday. Fresh picked fruit and vegetables, homemade baked, pickled, foraged, fermented, smoked, prepared, tapped goods. See favored vendors like Heller Farm of Unadilla produce each year outside of the pavilion itself. Then you can go enjoy Taste of NY and Cutler Botanic Garden across the way.

Highest-caliber, unhurried, refined, optimal level of dining was enjoyed last night at The Chelsea Artists' Loft. From meeting the most gracious host and coordinator, Whitney, to the Michelin-starred chefs Dan Grossman and Brendan Kelley, jointly created a superb, the most memorable dining experience imaginable !
Each of the chefs at legnth explained, to the happy, dignified diners in attendance, how they foraged and prepared each of five courses on the 'hyper-seasonal' menu. Katell Pleven, the grand sommelier, expertly paired wine to each of those five delectable courses. Spoke with Chef Grossman about his, and Chef Kelley's new restaurant, Confidant, to open in October. Resident is the ultimate in attention to detail, careful serving and warmth that makes them the sustained success they are, now and in the future.

My grandparents moved here when the building started renting in 1930; My grandpa was a founder of the West Side Institutional Synagogue in 1935. They moved to 50 E.79 Street, Madison Avenue, in 1960. Why bring up this ancient history ? Because there were always the finest and most substantial sorts at '241,' to this very day.

If you remember Olinskys from over 40 years ago, Foodtown is exquisite. Contrary to a few other reviewers, within the past few months, particularly found the staff to be helpful, even deferential on occasion. Cashiers are all right, so usually is freshness. The stock usually is more than adequate. For instance, many frozen items unavailable elsewhere, like Eggplant Parm, or other sorts of Italian specialties, are here. No complaints !

All right spot to sit with packages, have a snack, to chat with an acquaintance, to get the sun, or to wait for the Manhattan-bound Q60 bus. Many benches give some breathing room, when not too crowded.