I spend a lot of time in New York City, and the Italian Market is one of the things where Philadelphia wins hands down.

Up where I spend my time in NYC, it's probably one of the wealthiest zip codes in the USA, but the supermarkets keep on closing. Check the link for an article about what I am talking about.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/05/nyregion/05cityw ide.html?ref=health

Yet another supermarket closed a couple of weeks ago on First Ave. and 72 St. And the little bodegas and Korean groceries have been being pushed out for a long time as well. If things keep going this way pretty soon there will be no place left to buy fresh food in Manhattan. You might be able to buy fruit from a guy with a truck, but that'll be it.

So, I say G-d Bless the Italian Market. Some times we don't realize how good we have it with a place such as this. It's an easy walk from my place and probably yours and a great value if you know how to shop. Plus, if you want to spend more on higher end stuff, they've got that as well.

The weather is great today. Go to the festival. I know I will be there this weekend.

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I take the A to Union Square and use their farmer's market...its usually pretty well stocked, and convenient to the pet store. Of course I'm not as far up, but its still a pretty short on and off trip.

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Peter Cetera:
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The West Side still has Fairway which is a good place.

But even the Pathmark in Lower East Side Manhattan is in danger of closing, if it hasn't already. That place has been an institution for years.

http://racked.com/archives/2007/11/0...eplaced_by.php

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I haven't been in it yet, but what kind of impact do you think the wholefoods at time warner is having? They offer free parking and low cost delivery up to 125th from river to river! Its got to be putting a squeeze on the smaller shops.

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Peter Cetera:
Sometimes I just forget
Say things I might regret
It breaks my heart to see you crying

I never found the TW Whole Foods to be particularly convienent when I lived on the UWS. The markets on Bdwy; Fairway, Cittarellas, Zabars, Westside Market was where I did my shopping, along with the supermarket on Amsterdam & 85th. There was a supermarket even closer to my apt @ Columbus 82nd, but they closer a couple of yrs ago, and a children's haircutter and playground opened up. ( The changing demographics of the UWS)

Fairway, though, is ALWAYS packed, and the aisles are narrow. But I enjoyed buying my meats and fish there.

I'm not familiar with the wholefoods at TW, so I can't really comment. One thing I think is having an impact is that FreshDirect.com internet delivery service. I see their trucks all over the place and I frequently see deliveries from them in the lobby of my building. I've thought about using them but I think a service like that won't really work for me though because I am back and forth between Phila and NYC so much. I just want a place to be able to run in and buy enough stuff for three or four days.

Thankfully there still is one supermarket (overpriced, but that is par for the course in Manhattan) which is an easy walk from my location. I'm just afraid that it too will close.

And don't get me started about lunch places. That's another segment where Phila. has it all over NYC. Pizza is a wash with maybe just a very slight edge to NYC but for hoagies, steaks etc. there is no contest. It's a blowout in favor of Phila., especially now. A lot of my favorite lunch places in NYC have closed over the past few years. It's a shame.

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a few weeks ago i took a friend visiting from san francisco to the italian market. we started at sarcone's for hoagies & birch beer and then wandered around the market. my friend is a professional baker and had a blast shopping at fante's. she couldn't believe the selection of cheeses at di bruno's and sampled her first cannoli at one of the pastry shops.

the italian market is indeed a gem unique to philadelphia

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Freudian Slips: when you say one thing but mean your mother

"G-d"?

not sure if you're really wondering - or just making a comment - so if you're really wondering...

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/...daism/g-d.html

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REFLECTIONS OF A ROCK LOBSTER

G-d is groovy, as he died for our sins.

Oh wait, that was J-s-s. Oh well, G-d is okay as well.

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Peter Cetera:
Sometimes I just forget
Say things I might regret
It breaks my heart to see you crying