J Pistone Market

08/08/02

The Chocolate-Coconut Bars served here i

by KayeMontare at Citysearch

The prepared dishes in the display cases are tantalizing with their vibrant colors and artistic presentation. The pastries are addicting, this is a regular stop for my husband and I on our after-dinner walk. Joan and her mother welcome us as if we were visiting their home, and we have met many of our neighbors while sitting outside - it really is a neighborhood gathering place.

• Pros: good parking, freshness, creative
• Cons: not open on Sunday, not open early enough, not open late enough

Whether lingering over a cup of coffee or hosting a dinner, this place offers plenty of culinary convenience.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene

Need to plan a last-minute dinner party? Don't panic. Calmly drive to J. Pistone and purchase an already-prepared beef tenderloin, a quart of Village Salad (tomatoes, feta cheese, Greek olives), stir-fried noodles in spicy peanut sauce, grilled vegetables, some crusty bread, olive oil and the perfect wine. Of course, convenience comes with a hefty price tag. But when you need it, it's worth it. Both the service and the locally owned shop are comfortable, relaxed and absolutely kid-friendly, a rare combination.

The Food
The dine-in menu is upscale-deli, with a good selection of wines and beers. For lunch, fresh pate and crabcakes are available, along with the usual designer sandwiches. The coffee is really, really good and goes well with the desserts. Just ran out of farm-fresh, free-range brown eggs? Stock up here.