Fairway Market

542 Second Ave
New York, NY 10016


Secretly wish you were a Food Network Star?
Think you can be a better Iron Chef?
You call yourself a Foodie?
This underground MEGA supermarket will definitely challenge you in more ways than one!

If you have never been to a Fairway Supermarket, then you are in for an eye opening experience. Eye opening because this place has almost EVERY food stuff imaginable from the local New York apple to the exotic French black truffle. Eye opening because you won't believe some of these luxury prices. Eye opening because you have to watch where you are going otherwise you will run over one of the many staff running about restocking or moving items, the gaggle of yuppies that frequent this place, or the myriad of baby strollers being pushed by nannies and Au pairs.

This supermarket definitely blows Whole Foods out of the water when it comes to variety but Trader Joe's has still has better prices. I must admit though that the fresh produce here is quite reasonable but don't go looking for a sales circular. They don't do that. Aside from eye opening, this place will tantalize (or assault) your olfactory senses with fresh coffee beans from around the world that you can grind yourself to the vats of cured olives to the exotic cheese section (want to know where it is? Just follow your nose).

The meats are VERY expensive IMHO as well as the Dairy and Juice Departments (but hey, they have to pay the high rent somehow) but you will find a lovely assortment of fresh made pastas (lobster ravioli and pumpkin ravioli being my favorites), dried aged steaks, and whole prosciutto.

Need black truffles to shave on your wild mushroom risotto? Got it!
Need a Black Forest Cake for dessert? You'll find it in their bakery.
Don't know how to cook but want to fool others to think that you can? They have a prepared foods counter here too!
Single and looking for a wealthy date? You just might find one here!

They also carry a huge line or Bob's Red Mill products for the home baker as well as a candy, dried fruits, and snacks area where everything is dispensed in bulk.

Don't believe me that his branch is awesome? Just wait until you take the LONG escalator trip down underground. The bird's eye view is enough to make your jaw drop!

BBQue's Smoke Shack

668 6th Ave
New York, NY 10010
(212) 929-4227

Stopped by here for late lunch yesterday with friends after we found it on the AAdvantage Dining Program. The place was packed! I didn't read any iDine or Yelp reviews before I came here so I wasn't swayed in my own personal review.

First, the place is quaint and small decorated with wooden walls and metal signs to give it a "rustic shack" feel. You approach the counter where you can see their menu up behind them on the wall. A variety of barbeque sauces are listed. I chose the puled pork sandwich ($7.95) and added the waffles fries and drink (additional $3.95). After you pay, you are given a white card with a number and you then proceed to fill your cup from the soda machine or iced tea machine (feeling that I should stick with the Southern theme, I chose to go with iced tea).

Now find yourself a table. Park your seat and admire the decor and signs that adorn the walls as you wait. I thought the cashier people were going to call your number when your order was up but was pleasantly surprised when they came over with my order on what looks like a mini baking tray. They did the same for my friends' orders as well! The wait was not very long IMHO about as long as it takes to walk to the drink dispenser and back to your table twice (YES! Free refills!)
There is a large flat screen TV for people to watch the game.

The pulled pork was warm and moist. The Tennessee Whiskey Sauce I chose to have it tossed in was tasty with depth of flavor and the bun that it was tucked into was soft and sweet. The pickle slices were a pleasant surprise as a flavor foil against the sweet and smoky. Reminiscent of a Cuban sandwich. My waffle cut fries were hot, crispy, and well seasoned. Two bottles of extra sauces are available alongside the bottle of ketchup on your table: Honey BBQ and Mexican Spicy.

My friend ordered collard greens as a side which I sampled. Nothing extraordinary. Tasted like it might have come from a large can (especially since the collards were cut SO uniformly). As a foodie and someone who also cooks, you have to be REALLY obsessive compulsive to get each piece exactly 1/4" square. Bread pudding is also offered here which I will have to try the next time.

Overall, a pleasant and satifying experience.