Balducci's

 

22

92

Kristy R.

New York, NY

I would be quite unhealthy if I ate here as much as I wanted to, it's that good.

Had to take one star away due to it being so pricey, though

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0

12

Josh G.

North Hollywood, CA

I lived RIGHT NEXT to this Balducci's for a couple of weeks, and while I never did particularly like anything I got there, for some reason it was hard not to wander in after  walking the dog.  And no, that's not a euphimism.  The groceries aren't THAT overpriced, but I do prefer Whole Foods.  I tried one of their pre-made deli sandwiches, a prosciutto on ciabatta or something of the sort... Wasn't that good.

Also tried the coffee bar on more than one occasion, and was not impressed with the pastries or the coffee.  In fact, I ordered a large caramel machiatto (the most expensive drink on their menu), and the kid started to make a small.  I corrected him, then he grabbed a large cup, and filled it only about two inches full.  I insisted that he fill it with milk, but upon tasting it there was NO CARAMEL in it!  When I complained to the manager, she said that a large machiatto actually comes in a small cup.  When I told here there was no caramel, she said that they don't make caramel machiattos.  I said, "Well why is it on the menu then?"  She replied, "I dunno.  We can't make HALF the stuff on the menu."  Geesh...

By the end of my tenure I'd finally figured out what Balducci's is good for.  A QUICK, and small grocery run, or a plain ole cup of joe.  Oh... and their Carrotcake cupcake was actually quite good.

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Elite '08

1499

742

Sam P.

New York, NY

This Balducci's seems to be surviving on name alone, as it seems to have turned into the forgotten red-headed step-child Balducci's after its grand and stately younger brother opened downtown.  And with good reason. This Balducci's is small and cramped with minimal selection and obscenely jacked up prices.

But as my dear friend Oussama Z pointed out, if you come for the prepared foods, you can usually find something appetizing that doesn't hurt the wallet too much. The sesame crusted chicken tenders are a safe bet, and come with the most delicious cilantro lime dipping sauce.  And their coffee and pastries are always solid.  I almost want them to just turn this into an express, gourmet cafeteria a la City Bakery.  The UWS is in dire need of something like that.  

But then, where would the little old ladies of Lincoln Center buy their overpriced chocolates?

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Elite '08

25

72

Rose S.

New York, NY

I used to work for a food distributor, and in the industry we call this the Graveyard.  In a city that invented shady business practices, the company that owns Balduccis has alienated so many vendors and distributors.  I go in there and see slightly damaged yogurts that I know they've bought off the back of a van somewhere.  I've found canned goods SEVERAL years old.  I'm not surprised that they're still in business since the store is a tiny part of a giant company (ala Gristedes)....I'm surprised people shop there, survive, and enjoy it.  Huh.

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13

24

Oussama Z.

New York, NY

I love me and hate me some Balducci's.

This review takes on the Cafe and Prepared Foods. I haven't even tried to use this place as a grocery store. Basically, for a place this fine, I expect more consistent quality.

Unfortunately, the CAFE is a crapshoot. The coconut danish is to die for, the chocolate croissants satisfy, and autumn ushers in some YUMMY pumpkin muffins with cream cheese frosting. But the cranberry muffins use craisins (cutting corners much?), and half the time the muffins are way dry. All are $2 +/- 30 cents.

(The lattes are very good and maybe even cheaper than elsewhere. They don't charge for soy milk, woo!)

I don't find the PREPARED FOOD that overpriced. I'm an abysmal cook, so I'll pay a small premium to disrupt the monotony of my pasta with meat sauce. I bought 1/2lb of chicken tenders with a sesame crust ($5) and delicious sauce, 1/4lb sweet potato puree ($2.50), and 1/4lb roasted asparagus ($2.50). I got two days of dinner out of $10---well worth it! I admit I eat in small portions. I also admit that break-ups are the best diet ever.

Oh, the countless times Sam P. and I have run into Balducci's on our way to the Met to scarf down some goat cheese and black bean burritos with fruity salsa ($2.50 ea.; I eat two as a good snack).

So, I'd give 3.5 stars, but I round up to 4, cuz let's face it, I'm here too often to front.

* Please note, the Bakery is distinct from the Cafe. The Bakery has some killer cupcakes --- if the buttery frosting, moist cake, bits of snickers, and huge portions don't do you in, the price will ($3).

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Elite '08

54

328

Allison J.

Henderson, NV

Gorgeous new location with prices that help pay the overhead. I love coming in here and sampling the cheeses and baked goods they have cut up.

They have 2 kinds of Mac and Cheese in their deli area and the one with the 3 cheeses (greyere, goat and something else) is stupendous. I love it.

Cheapest item to buy that you'll need: A big bottle of Balducci water is just 75 cents.

Produce is beautifully displayed as is the rest of the store. I loved their old location in the West Village but this new place is bright, airy and has elbow room.

Best gourmet shop in the area!

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Elite '08

105

382

MARIANA L.

New York, NY

This used to be an old NYC gourmet authority.  The original location closed, but this one opened must to peoples anticipation.  Lots of fine chocolates and cheeses.  Gourmet prepared food.  However, you'll definitely pay premium prices for, in many cases, average quality.  The produce isn't always fresh, I have found their salads expired, and with the exception of a few good people, the staff attitude seems beneath this place.

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20

135

Emily I.

Brooklyn, NY

Honestly I just wanted to go here because they always talk about it on Will & Grace.  I was pleasantly suprised by the light airy feeling of their 8th Ave. store.  The coffee and chocolates were reasonably priced taking into consideration the gourmet persona that surrounds this name.  From what I noticed, the prices were loads cheaper than Dean & Delcua and the fruit was in great shape compared to most gourmet stores around town.  I was party happy because their focus was on oranges and it didn't seem as though they were trying to fill the store with out of season fruit and veggies.

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120

2112

Gourmet G.

San Francisco, CA

This was a New York institution long before Whole Foods and similar markets turned up on the gourmet food front. Ousted from its original Village location by a huge rent hike, it moved to the Upper West Side, where young professionals with lots of disposable income barely bat an eye at the per-pound prices of quality meat, seafood, produce,  cheeses, salads, and prepared entrees. This is more a place to indulge yourself for a special occasion than it is to do the weekly grocery shopping, yet people peruse the aisles pushing carts piled high with canned goods and paper products that cost a lot less elsewhere. Are they too lazy to look for bargains or too rich to care? Either way, they're keeping this place afloat. Three stars because the prices are inflated more than the Goodyear blimp.

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Elite '08

375

2643

Anita L.

Irvine, CA

I chanced upon this gourmet grocers more than 10 years ago when I was in NYC attending a wedding. A friend and I rented an apartment and Balducci's was about 2 blocks away. Since we had a kitchen in our apartment, I was able to buy things and cook them up. Needless to say, I was there almost every single day just soaking in everything they had to offer. The store (unless they've remodelled) was cramped full of items and in the evenings, there were just too many people in there trying to buy something for their dinner. However, it's well worth whatever aggravation you experience because the sight of fresh pastas, sauces, meats, produce, hard-to-get and never-before-seen-in-USA products are sitting right there on the shelves. When I was there, they even had a shipment of white truffles which permeated the entire store while you shopped. Prices are well... not average, but I'd rather shop in there than AG Ferrari's anyday! Love this place.

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