As I am starting to navigate the foods and supplies of Manhattan for my new cafe, I started in the food mecca…Chinatown. Perplexed by the vegetables, stands of fresh flopping fish and amazing smells (some not so amazing) I was drawn to the lights, the crowds and the buzz that is New York’s Chinatown.
I have been researching areas most Westerners don’t often go. The Hong Kong Supermarket at 157 Hester Street and the other one at 109 East Broadway. As well there is an amazing Thai market where fresh curry pastes, galangal and kaffir lime leaves abound. I never thought I would find these ingredients outside of Chiang Mai and boy was I ever relieved and delighted to find Bangkok Market on a tiny little street called Mosco Street (102 Mosco to be exact) which you get to by following Mulberry all the way down from Canal until you hit the intersection of Worth Street (if you do, you’ve gone too far).
I will be starting a tour of the Foods of New York shortly (probably in the spring) and believe me, this market will be on it. As well there are fabulous other authentic international markets in New York such as a Greek Yogurt factory in the West Village which I have not yet been to, but am dying to visit.
Exciting things abound and great vegetables await my pot. The Greenmarket in union square was just the beginning, but still a home and a favorite. Many of my vegetables will still come from there as well as smaller markets closer to the cafe, the local CSAs, a new service called Urban Organics and the 4th Street Co-op. I will be investigating suppliers as the restaurant grows and checking out who Spring Street Natural and Quartino Organics use. Any tips on suppliers would be much welcomed.
