East 67th Street Market

Great market, local produce and fresh. Flowers are cheap and extremely pretty. Good find jewelry. Don’t miss the pickle guy!

This is a pretty regular trip for me Saturday morning. My mom can’t survive without the stellar Austrian cookies sold by an amazingly charming, clean little Austrian gentleman — very soft spoken and kind. He has itsy-​bitsy sample cookies which are as yummy as they are cute. Apricot, Raspberry and chocolate — and sample packs.
The kielbasa guy sells various Polish foods, mostly meats, including cooked right there. Everything I purchased from him was excellent; however, he seems to be not as regularly there as other vendors.
Ok, people, now say it with me: «PICKLES!» Barrelflulls of ‘em, all types. Free samples. Cute vendors.
Bit later (10ish) — apparrel (undies, socks, stuff like that).
«Antiques» are used items, likely estate sale purchases. I saw some interesting things, if you’re into that sort of stuff (I’m superstitious somewhat, and being close to hospitals — Sloan Kettering, for one — doesn’t necessarily enthuse my buying).
Cafeteria is mostly used costume jewelry. Same iffyness to me as above.
Produce…I’m just going to say it. Most of it is not self-​grown/​produced. Likely the same as at your supermarket. But (a) a touch cheaper and (b) free illusion of buying market-​fresh produce. I usually pass on it, unless I see something incredibly cute. But to each — their own.
Sometimes there are organic farm reps. If it smells right — by all means, indulge. I bought some pretty spectacular strawberries (eat THAT day) and stellar red garlic.
I suspect it’ll get more competitive the warmer it gets. Easier than schlepping to Joizee (although once corn season rolls around, I know a place with STELLAR heirloom tomatoes — and I’m not sharing, as there’s not enough of the heirloom tomatoes for both of us).
Worth it if it’s a reasonable trip for you (I just jump on the M15 bus and there in 10 minutes max). Not worth a complicated trip.