Ode to the Olive Foodie Friday

Sometimes we go 3,000 miles across the Atlantic to Norway or across the millenia to the beginning of time for the inspiration for a blog post. But sometimes inspiration is just ten blocks away. Yesterday I went thousands of miles and centuries for inspiration for the post and today's post was inspired by a quick stop at Zabar's, my favorite food store, literally just down the street.

I read the post I wrote about Zabar's in April and realized I didn't mention the olive section at all. It's next to the door and usually I'm stepping past it on my way to the cheese or coffee sections. In fact if you had asked me any day before this Tuesday about my liking for olives I would have told you that they weren't a particular favorite food. For no reason I can think of I stopped at the olives. Perhaps it was because I had no special errand to do at Zabar's and I wasn't in a rush. Perhaps it was because it was a rainy day and the store wasn't crowded. Perhaps... I became enamored of the olive assortment and read the descriptions. I decided to buy a small container of the Moroccan mix, an assortment of green and black olives in a lemon and oil marinade.

Like most Americans who grew up in the 1950's the only olives that I made acquaintance with were small, green and had pimentos stuffed inside. We rarely had them in our refrigerator and I never developed a taste for the them. I learned to like broccoli and whole wheat bread, which I didn't especially like growing up, but not olives. But the olives I bought on Tuesday were different. They had a wonderful flavor and as a fan of all things lemon, I was delighted in the taste. I was won over and all it took was a rainy day and a few minutes browsing.

Here's a toast to the olive, and a toast to the foods I think I don't like. This older dog learned a new trick and I am happy to proudly state that I am now an olive eater.

Though most of the time the news in the world seems very grim, but sometimes there are rays of bright light. There was a burst of joyous news in Vermont yesterday. Born yesterday -- I can't resist using the phrase -- was the beautiful Nora, daughter of Julia and Tom, niece of my goddaughter, Jess and granddaughter to my dear friend, K. From her pictures Nora is a complete snuggle bunny and I can't wait to meet her. Let the spoiling begin. I already have a lamb for her that I bought in Ireland, but I think a Madeline doll needs to go with it to Vermont.

We've got glorious summer weather in New York and I am enjoying these sunny days without humidity. They are so rare and so appreciated.

As ever, thanks for visiting. I hope your days are bright and sunny, too. Wishes for a great weekend. 

Not Surprisingly, Z is for Zabar's

With just a few minutes to spare I am finishing the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge. I was discussing the challenge and my choice for a theme with a friend and she said, "I guess you'll do Zabar's for Z." Without question!

  It's hard to get a picture of Zabar's without lots of people in front of the store. 

Zabar's is my first stop when I'm having people over. To describe it as a grocery, simply doesn't do it justice, and saying it's a "gourmet" market makes it sound unapproachable. It is very gourmet in quality, yet very approachable. They have a fabulous cheese department, great smoked fish, terrific strudel -- at least six flavors -- coffee, great bread and desserts, the advertised olive bar and the list of goodies goes on and on. It's less than half a mile from my apartment and I've been there so many times in the twenty-two years I've lived in the neighborhood that I could draw a floor plan from memory. It's not a big store, but there's everything I'd ever want to eat and it's all delicious. The second floor has home appliances and it's a great place for browsing. 

 A closeup of some of the posters in the windows

It's one of the favorite places to visit with friends who are visiting New York. Some dried fruit or olive oil -- an amazing selection -- or coffee always becomes part of the souvenirs from the trip. There's a great coffee bar next to the food store, perfect for a croissant and an espresso. It's always crowded on weekends, but once I'm retired -- just a month away -- one of my first treats will be a mid-morning visit to Zabar's.

Twenty five minutes to spare, and I've just completed A to Z. Thanks, friends, for being part of this tour of New York City, from great and famous places to the fruit cart on my corner. I am so fortunate to have been able to visit so many interesting places and to share them with such terrific people all over the world. I am especially grateful for the many bloggers I've met through the Challenge. 

Wishes for a Wonderful Wednesday!