Live in New York City for any length of time and you'll become reliant on the delis. There's one on every block, and with NY kitchens the way they are, and restaurants for every night of the week and every mood, you'll stock your mostly-bare cabinets at your local deli and go months, or even years, without setting foot in a grocery store. The delis carry all your staples — fruit, vegetables, milk, cereal, pasta, coffee (by the cup too), ice cream, toothpaste, toilet paper, fresh flowers — and most even branch into some ethnic or gourmet items. They're a cornerstone of NY's intractable village temperament.
Less the produce and the flowers, World Market is a close cousin to the NY deli. You can go there for most necessities, and they have a wall full of wine to boot. There's nothing high-end, but there's quite a selection nonetheless, all ranging from $5 to $30, including a few magnums. They also carry a couple dozen kinds of beer. And Cafe Bustelo. And cookies. And soup. And tortillas and crema fresca. And a deli for made-to-order sandwiches.
It's not your one-stop shopping, and it's certainly not going to scratch your TJ's itch, but they have a few parking spots, both on Wisconsin (metered) and on Highland (free), and they're open until 11:00 most nights, making it incredibly convenient to get whatever you forgot at the store earlier. They're the friend you can count on in a pinch.
World Market, 8125 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, 301.654.4880
i've found this place on GoogleEarth, but have not tried it yet. and i also passed by the chinese place below, wondering if it was any good. in fact, i just got their menu under the door TODAY! thank you for your review! :)
Posted by: Masako | January 18, 2006 at 10:48 PM
more serendipity?! my pleasure :)
Posted by: b.rookie | January 19, 2006 at 08:49 AM
Another great market to try is Cornucopia on Norfolk Ave. Limited to Italian foods but great prosciutto and even better pastries.
Posted by: highland ave | March 08, 2006 at 02:26 PM