Izzy (and Mama) Eat: The Gourmand Goes To College...

Tales of Empty Nest and College Boy Eats.. The Next Chapter

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

A Foray Into Brooklyn: Sahadi's, Trader Joe's, Fairway and Baked

Wednesday is greenmarket day. But not today. My friend S. dangled the prospect of a shopping adventure in a warm car in front of me and I couldn't resist.

I venture to Union Square, no matter the weather but it was colder than I expected today and besides, I just couldn't turn down a food adventure with a friend. Our main mission was Sahadi's on Atlantic Avenue. Many an ode has been sung to this Middle Eastern food mecca and I wanted to see for myself.

The store is a sea of olives, nuts, dried fruits, bulk grains and beans, along with all manner of Middle Eastern comestibles. I was afraid to start purchasing random items that would end up unused . I ended up with two types of olives, smoked almonds, some mushroom-leek triangular pies and tea. I was trying to pace myself for the next stop on our trip, a visit to the Red Hook Fairway. On our way out of the shop we noticed that its neighbor, Damascus Bakery, had some fresh-looking pitas, so I picked up a few of those and some hummus and Taramasalata to go with them.

On our way back to the car, we happened upon a Trader Joe's. I didn't even realize there was one in Brooklyn so that was a bonus (as was the fact that it was fairly empty and much easier to navigate than the one at Union Square). After that quick detour, back in the car and off to Fairway.

And what a Fairway it is. The largest of the stores, it's vast, wide aisles are a heavenly reprieve from the cramped space at 75th street. We didn't even have time to do it justice, making it about halfway through the store before realizing we'd better think about getting back to pick up our kids from school. We crammed us much as we could into our short trip and we are already planning a trip devoted entirely to Fairway and Fairway alone.

Back in the car, and still with a bit of time to spare, S. was suddenly reminded of a cupcake she had once eaten a few years ago. She recalled that it may have come from a bakery in Red Hook. We had driven by Baked on our way and it just so happened to be only a few blocks from Fairway. S. insisted that we stop in on our way home. Who was I to argue. She bought a cupcake and consumed it on the spot. I tried to look away but the pull of the cupcakes and whoopie pies was too strong. I took one of each to go, along with a Mate Latte, which I sipped on the way home.

I thought I would save the cupcake and whoopie pie for tomorrow but the cupcake is gone. Yes. S...that frosting is a light, creamy concoction.

At least I saved the whoopie pie for Izzy to eat tomorrow.

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