New food store

Huh? "New"? Um, no. Perhaps you're referring to the Whole Foods that just opened on 96th?? And what, exactly, is there to "discuss"?

Columbus Square IS where the new Whole Foods is located. Columbus Circle houses the old one.

I don't love that you have to go downstairs for the majority of the shopping (although you have to do the same at Columbus Circle, just not with a shopping cart). Other than that, I'm indifferent.

It's not for nothing that it's called "Food Hole: A Money Pit"

I saw the thread title and thought "As opposed to what? A used food store?"

whole paycheck

What I like is the area where all that hot and cold food is exposed not just to the open atmosphere but, to the passing hordes of multicultural socioeconomic strada reaching from the homeless to Park Avenue. All breathing hard on what might next pass for your digestive systems next greatest challenge. Please, don't let me influence you. There is great value to consuming such varied background floura to the immune system of the greater population.

I think the prayer at the food bar goes something like this...

We who are about to die, salute you!

Call me Mr.Public Health (or Felix Unger)

>>Columbus Square IS where the new Whole Foods is located. Columbus Circle houses the old one.<<

Oh, durr. Misread the post. Sorry, OP. *blushes*

I agree that the upstairs/downstairs thing is irritating. It's also a bit odd that they have the 'body' section sort of smack-dab in the middle of the general food shopping. The feng shue of the place just seems off to me.

That said, it's nice to have a new resource in the nabe.

"There is great value to consuming such varied background floura [sic] to the immune system of the greater population"

You need a strong stomach to survive in this city, in more ways than one.

I'm a bathroom connoisseur and this one is nice and roomy. easy to get in and out of with a stroller.

Agree that the fung shei feels a bit off.

^
Grr. sorry for the butcher...shui

The fung shei comment is right on. WF is a welcome addition to Gourmet Garage, Gristedes, Associated and Food Emporium in the area. It contributes to this section of manhattan feeling more gentrified. I wouldn't go there for regular groceries, but the pre-packaged, prepared meals and sushi are great for quick meals. They're tasty and less expensive than ordering in or dining out.

much of the foods carried under the whole foods label are much cheaper than you can find elsewhere for the quality (except maybe trader joe's).

falcogold, if I were you I wouldn't step into the kitchen of your favorite restaurants--you would be alarmed at the conditions under which even the most rarified of manhattan food is prepared.

PMG is right. read bourdin's kitchen confidential if you have the stomach for it. you may never touch the bread basket again.

I like that classic image of the greasyspoon cook standing over the soup pot, with his cigarette hanging out of the corner of the mouth, the ashtip so long it's about to drop.

PMG,
I know this to be true. Consider this...in a restaurant how many possible humans could have access to your food prior to you? My system can stand up to a few, not so hygenic, kitchen workers a lot better that a random sample of New Yorkers right off the street with unwashed hands.
There are people that feel comfortable feeding at the trough and those that do not.
It's all about the numbers and probability.
I'm not afraid of dirt...just pathogens.
On a happy note, there will be no additional charge for the H1N1 virus with your next purchase.

I've heard that "Whole Paycheck" quip before, glamma, I like that.

I go to WF but think it's kind of a ripoff. Most of what they sell you can also get in a good natural foods store, and support small business to boot.

I go to buy just a few selective things, but I could live without WF if they went under. I find their produce consistently disappointing. Barzini's is better, they're on Broadway and...what is it, 91st?

Falco, at the WF by me they give out santizing hand wipes. Don't they do this at all locations, or is that a tribeca thing?

falcongold, clearly you have never been in the kitchen a fine NYC restaurant. Space is expensive in NYC, and the volume of food is enormous in a busy restaurant. I am not just referring to kitchen staff. There are vermin to consider as well. I dare you to take a look in your favorite restaurant's kitchen--just saying. Thank you, aboutready for the book recommendation. Besides, falcongold, you sound like anti-progress NYer with your negative ranting. I moved here over 25 years ago, and cannot tell you how pleased I am with Manhattan becoming a more competitive retail landscape. Now I can buy a TV, stereo or washer/dryer without having to negotiate with a local dealer with highjacked starting prices. Why are you not grateful for competition?

>>I dare you to take a look in your favorite restaurant's kitchen--just saying. <<

They say one can tell a lot by a restaurant's bathrooms... grungy toidies = grungy kitchen??

Even in the finest restaurant, they never expect a customer to see the kitchen, so don't depend on the bathroom as a guide. I've seen food stacked chest high from the floor in a better restaurant in Soho. Just think of the logistics. No restauranteur is paid to have spacious kitchens.

' you sound like anti-progress NYer with your negative ranting. '
It's a mine field out there bubba! Watch you step.
That's anti-progressive?
25yrs. in this town, you should know the difference between negative ranting and a home town attitude.
Bitch, Bitch, Bitch...it's so much cheaper than therapy.
Better out then in, that's what I always say.

your step

"Bitch, Bitch, Bitch...it's so much cheaper than therapy" very funny. how true.

"Even in the finest restaurant, they never expect a customer to see the kitchen, so don't depend on the bathroom as a guide. I've seen food stacked chest high from the floor in a better restaurant in Soho. Just think of the logistics. No restauranteur is paid to have spacious kitchens."

I don't agree, especially with the trend towards having "chef's tables" IN the kitchen at many top restaurants, as well as open kitchens. One of my favorite (now closed?) restaurants in LA - Citrus - had the entire back wall of the restaurant as floor to ceiling glass so that you could see the entire kitchen from the dining room. It was great that the "best" tables were considered to be near teh bar and near the front, so I could always get a table right up against the glass and watch the kitchen work going on teh whole time I was there. It even affected some of the stuff I ordered; if I saw something which looked particularly interesting being prepped, i would ask the waitstaff what it was and try it.

Milk is good there.
The food bar is bad.
They don't sell Coke or Pepsi
but more expensive things with just as much sugar.

No more 'Citrus', 30yrs; Michel Richard left LA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_Richard

This is a real estate site so leaving Manhattan is not exactly fair. Why did your favorite LA restaurant close? Could they not afford the luxury kitchen perhaps? If you are going to insist on a spacious and orderly restaurant kitchen in Manhattan, then you cam expect to pay dearly when you get the dinner tab. Just saying.