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39 reviews for Choice Greene
Review Highlights
"oh and the sushi, tasty sandwiches and flowers to go."
(in 9 reviews)
"They do have a good cheese selection."
(in 4 reviews)
"...kinds of cheeses, and cured meats, ie chorizo, bacon, etc."
(in 2 reviews)
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39 reviews in English
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Review from Brandon G.
Brooklyn, NY
1/4/2012
The cheese mongress behind the charcuterie counter makes every trip worthwhile. I don't even like the fancy organic Zanzibar eagle cheese they hawk for $200/lb but I'm going to keep buying it as long as she's around. Keep hiring babes and I'll keep bending over for your outrageous prices, Choice Greene.
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Review from Doc C.
Brooklyn, NY
1/30/2012
So much potential, so little follow-through. The prices are outrageous, even for items that are not organic. I am not talking about their specialty cheeses--I understand they can be pricey--but for normal groceries and such, the place is just way too costly.
And the service is very rude. Not everybody, but most of the people there, and I have given this place numerous chances over the past 2 years. For example, they do hve some good daily sandwich specials and they are quicker than Choice Market. But I'd like to know what the sandwich options of the day are before trekking all the way over there. (And some days there are no sandwiches available). But when I call ahead to find out, they get very snippy with me, once they even hung up on me! I understand if they are busy and need to put me on hold, but they just hung up on me! Can't you come up with a way to post your daily lunch specials? Website? Facebook? Outgoing voice message on your phone?
Do you want business at this establishment? More often than not, it seems like they don't.
On the contrary, Choice Market, which does a ton more business than this place, knows how to handle their large volume of customers. They can be a bit abrupt at times, but for every semi-bad experience I have had there, I have had 5 genuinely pleasant experience to balance it out. (they just take longer and don't take credit cards so not always practical). -
Review from Steve N.
Updated - 12/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Nowadays I go here BEFORE the Fairway so I get great stuff at good values ... yeah, some stuff is super-artisinal, but there are more good values here if you know your food, and a bunch of smarts. BTW, I had the awesome Bombay Chicken Salad ($7.50); another revelation. The greens, couscous, chicken, dressing were all outstanding and well-paired.
Listed in: A Bronxboy moves to Brooklyn
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/11/2011
Two visits; excellent curators and great values. Brussels sprouts were $2.65 / LB, for example,… Read more »
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Review from John Q.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 5/10/2011
Be careful what you wish for.
Apparently Choice Greene reads and addresses our complaints. The fish counter reduced their prices so almost all available seafood was much less expensive than the heights to which it had soared. Of course that led to "choices" becoming mainly relatively bland white fishes such as tilapia, pollock, flounder, sole, etc, yawn. Now it's transmorgified into a fish & sushi counter that's closed until further notice. Not sure if due to construction for their expansion or the lack of proper personnel.
CG has also placed arrows next to the prices in the produce section! Confusion is mitigated. Arrows also ameliorate the adjusting of prices. Hmmmm, nobody paid $4 for the stalk of celery or $5.25/lb for bell peppers, but maybe if we just reverse the arrows, they'll buy celery for $5.25 and peppers for $4/lb! Arugula didn't sell for $6 and now it's wilted, better point that $3 arrow towards it instead!
Choice has established itself as my go-to spot to grab a quick cup of coffee, as you pour your own which allows one to determine how fresh the java is. I go for the fullest of the 3 urns, which will usually be piping hot and I imagine to be the most recently brewed*. At $1.75 a large cup is one of the few values in the store and best coffee deals in the area.
CG even appears to pay heed to verbal complaints. Typically an urn would have a non-functioning lever and upon pressing it, produce a fart noise rather than a cup of coffee. When mentioning the problem to a cashier one day, their matter of fact response: oh-yeah-some-are-broken. Then I suggested perhaps it might be nice if broken urns were retired or fixed and by golly, CG actually seems to be placing only functional coffee pourers out on the counter now.
A recap of area coffee, if you will:
Choice Greene - Usually a rich flavorful brew, give them a pass if all the urns are nearing empty (*inevitably, two days after I posted my update I got one of the worst cups of coffee in my life from a nearly full urn, so also check for warmth. that coffee had to be hours old, please CG throw that crap out. Nero Dero has weak coffee, but at least won't serve drip so unfresh.)
Choice Market - same coffee as above, but a hideous line and a milk & sugar station where you're liable to be rammed by a worker barreling into the kitchen, hands full of supplies
Urban Vintage - very bitter brew the first couple of times I sampled theirs, but more palatable now. fine folks working in there
Nero Dero - potentially weaksauce coffee, but the barista usually around is amiable & smolderingly hot, so this remains reasonable as a possible alternative when passing on Choice
Outpost - ultra-bold coffee. will put hair on your chest, or in some cases, transform your chest hair from gray back to brown (who said I was talking about me? why do you always assume I was talking about me!!!)
Daily Press - new spot with Intelligentsia beans. their french press coffee was fairly weak & did not taste particularly freshly brewed. exceptionally friendly girls at the counter. brought some beans home & much happier with the coffee brewed by my crappy $20 Cuisinart coffee maker.
Sit & Wonder - still recovering from a vile "espresso" served to me a couple years ago. I think they use Stumptown beans, drip was...ok I think
WTF - this place was shooting for irony with the name, but achieved double-reverse irony. coffee is slowly brewed to order in ridiculous contraptions and horribly weak when I tried it. and damn expensive to boot
Tillie's - eh, give the places a bit further towards downtown on DeKalb a try instead
Sometimes I grab a pastry to accompany my coffee at Choice Greene. Unfortunately almond croissants now are typically the runts baked over in Choice Market; at least the other pastries are reliably solid enough.
I can't help but picture some items on sale at CG being bidded on by contestants on The Price Is Right. It would be virtually impossible to bid too high:
"This 6 oz container of Icelandic cage-free sheep's milk yogurt features hothouse-grown hand-plucked Acai berries and was transported across the Atlantic on barges running on reduced-petroleum gasoline. Contestants, place your bids!"
"$4.75!"
(audience exclaims: higher! higher!)
"$5.45!"
"$6.35!"
"$8.22!"
"The actual price is $9.07. Contestant #4, come on down!"
"Note the mestizo dirt farmer exploited to market this 2 oz package of guava-infused old-growth-shade-grown organic chocolate. 0.625% of the retail price goes directly to his village in Bolivia. The hemp string tie closure allows for these chocolates to be imported from South America by carrier pigeons during their annual spring migration. Contestants, place your bids!"
"$7.50!"
"$8.95!"
"$9.45!"
(the studio audience has worked itself into a frenzy: HIGHER! HIGHER!!!)
"$11.27!"
"The actual price is $12.44!"
Contestant #4, COME ON DOWN!Listed in: Central Brooklyn
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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6/1/2010
Prices in the fish department have skyrocketed 30% or more since my initial review of Choice Greene.… Read more »
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Review from Lisa W.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 3/27/2011
Um... wait a just one minute... I think I bought a grapefruit for 2.00 that was not even organic....
I will have to talk to someone about this next time I go in... what's the deal!??1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/15/2010
Thank god this place exists in the neighborhood. Fresh perfect salmon? Whole, humanely raised… Read more »
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Review from Amik A.
New York, NY
8/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ya OK it's a bit on the expensive side but the breakfast here is wonderful and cheap. Croissants ... I love croissants and with a small single pack of Nutella you cannot go wrong. Decent coffee as well. I am waiting eagerly for the sushi to come back. And the selection of artisanal breads and cheeses is just grand. They make sandwiches too - which look absolutely scrumptious. I will have to try them on my next visit. I would not do general groceries here unless you are independently wealthy, but it is so close to my house and the quick eats are sooo good that it is pretty much a no brainier. Clinton Hill is very lucky to have an establishment like this in the heart of the neighborhood. Next best thing is many many blocks away. Go here and visit the sister location, Choice Market, for sit down good eats. BTW - $10 minimum on plastic.
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Review from K K.
Brooklyn, NY
11/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
starting to fall off. they were much better about a year ago. they were introducing new cheeses and promoting new flavors, etc. It seems to have tapered off and totally toned everything down. that back yard should be massive for brunch. or just day time office space. its gorgeous. but the place seems like its just fallen off. hope it recovers! excotic teas near coffee stand would be a start.
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Review from Alessandro R.
Brooklyn, NY
10/25/2010 7 Check-ins Here
Very nice specialty food market with a wide assortment of cheeses and imported goods.
Unlike their older brother, Choice Market, which is more bakery and prepared foods, Choice Greene actually has helpful staff that are competant and know what they are doing most all the time and they accept credit cards instead of the cash-only policy at Choice Market. -
Review from Tommy K.
Updated - 6/28/2010
Prices have gone up and I would rather schlep my groceries from Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. The cheese selection is good and really the only thing I would buy when I need it immediately.
Either they need to make money to stay afloat or they are hiking up their margins. Maybe the Walmart strategy is better, cheaper prices and turn over their products faster.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/20/2009
Love the cheese selection and the meats - check out the duck pate, smoked duck, chorizos, bacon and… Read more »
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Review from Maggie F.
Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, NY
4/24/2011
I love Choice Greene. I cannot say the same for Choice Market, but that's a review for another day...
Most of the people who work here are very attentive and nice, willing to make small talk and knowledgeable about the products they're selling (VERY important when it comes to gourmet meats, cheeses and seafood). The quality of their food is good and it is (unfortunately, due to the price and sometimes lack of choice) the best produce provider in the area with the exception of the Fort Greene green market. I also love that I find something new to try every time I walk in, whether or not it's a different kind of locally made pickled-something or a cooking spice.
I wish it weren't so expensive because then it would be a REAL neighborhood gem, but I find it perfect for when I'm just cooking for myself or I need something pretty to compliment a nice meal.
They're also open late when every other store in the neighborhood shuts down before I get home on the weekdays. If you go right before closing you can maybe grab some discount bread (or croissants). -
Review from Megan P.
Brooklyn, NY
11/9/2011
I do love this store. I do think its at times overpriced but its a pleasant place to browse and see all the unique merchandise. They love kids here and are super friendly which is refreshing. Great local bread and delicious cheeses. homemade pasta is great and can't wait to try their organic dish soap.
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Review from Greg P.
Brooklyn, NY
12/25/2010 20 Check-ins Here
Same owners as Choice Market but this place is run much more efficiently. Have to say I love this place. I literally go here everyday for at least a cup of coffee. They have all the basics a small market would have but also have many specialty, local, and regional brands. Good sandwiches and very knowledgeable staff (behind the deli counter at least).
As I see it the only downside is that it is pretty expensive and the produce doesn't turn over quickly enough. Much more expensive than the Associated a few blocks away and I have to spend too much time rummaging through produce to find non-wilted greens. -
Review from mig d.
Brooklyn, NY
8/28/2010
Love, love, love, love, love.
Clinton Hill would be not nearly as nice a place to live without the Choices.
All the cheese & meats people have been superb. Live for the weekends when I grab the amazing baguettes, coffees, olives, sandwiches, fresh ricotta. A bad review, I know - I'm just a huge fan of this place. -
Review from tricia w.
Brooklyn, NY
2/28/2010
I swear by Katsu's sushi. he used to work at Blue Ribbon and now has the sushi hook-up to Tokyo. His sushi-providers get him the best slices.
Just ask him to create sushi with the freshest fish of the day - give him liberty and he will give you love.
I love his smoked salmon and miso salmon.
Two things that are great here - the organic ginger that is worth the price and the smoked duck.
oh and they accept CC! -
Review from maura c.
Brooklyn, NY
6/21/2011
People be smart! Do not try to come here to buy a box of crackers, unless you want them to be so artisanal that they cost upwards of 8 dollars a box.
Like people have said above, come for bread, or produce to fix a quick dinner, or for the wide selection of cured meats!
Enjoy the beautiful floors and air conditioning, and the fact that you can eat lunch in the garden and BYOB. Don't come here to buy fabric softener unless you are really very fancy.
However, do come here for the hand-dipped RICOTTA. A container of special Brooklyn made Salvatore ricotta at nearby Provisions costs 7 dollars! for less than half the price, you can get the same amount of equally delicious non-brand-name ricotta at Choice Greene.
I am spreading it on bread right now and it's getting on the keyboard so I'm signing off. -
Review from David C.
Brooklyn, NY
4/16/2010 15 Check-ins Here
Lovely, remarkably well appointed gourmet market that's the polar opposite of the Choice Market experience on Lafayette Ave. Not much in the way of prepared foods, but it will nearly kill you with quiet, quaint charm--perfect little baskets of garlic, herbs and veggies (many organic) a beautiful selection of artisanal cheeses, fish, breads, olives, olive oils, chocolates--all sorts of fancy stuff you wish you could afford to pick up every day after work.
Alas, I can't, so I save visits for special occasions, when I'm preparing a meal that needs just the right touch. And, unlike the other Choice, they take credit cards, and visits here generally don't induce claustrophobia and panic attacks. (N.B. There's a garden with seating out back, just in case.) -
Review from Noel R.
Brooklyn, NY
1/16/2009
Cute little store so wandered in. It's one of those places which you may pick up special something that you'll never find at Met Grocery albeit at a price.. But what got me excited was the fish counter. The guys had free samples of a Spanish Mackerel marinated and partially grilled. Amazing and worthy of being served in an expensive restaurant, not as a freebie at the back of a store.
Ended up buying some Monk-fish and squash to make a curry and wasn't disappointed. Seems to help fill a large gap that exists in these hoods. -
Review from Katie K.
Brooklyn, NY
1/28/2009 1 photo
I walked in, browsed and walked out. I was underwhelmed. The prices are high for produce and it isn't a one stop shop. It is definitely a cute little place though.
They do have a good cheese selection. I would normally head to the Bedford Cheese Shop but now I can walk over to CG, which is awesome. Oh, and you can buy bacon buy the pound, which is cool.
The fish didn't look all that great and they were selling cajun seasoned tilapia for $10.99/lbs which is just outrageous. -
Review from Daniela F.
New York, NY
3/22/2009
Sampled some Choice Greene goods at a friend's place and had to visit for myself. Amazing cheese and meat (for affettato) selection, friendly staff, lovely produce and (although I did not try it) a well groomed fish counter.
I was so excited to see salami from Molinari & Sons, a legendary Italian deli I great up on in San Francisco, hummus from Williamsburg (the Pinoli is so good) and bread from Il Forno.
Another notch on the ole Brookly belt for me, and I will be back for more! -
Review from Liz G.
Brooklyn, NY
5/10/2011
I love that there's a market like this in the neighborhood. Granted I usually just shop with my eyes because I can't afford to actually purchase anything, but I do buy a pastry or two every now and again on the weekends. The staff is always friendly and helpful. And I love that they carry Mast Brothers chocolate and locally canned preserves.
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Review from MZ R.
Brooklyn, NY
7/16/2010
I love coming to Choice Green on a lazy Saturday or Sunday morning.
I love the set-up, the market-ey feel to the tiny, well curated shop.
I love wandering to the beautiful green back yard and sitting with a book and a coffee, enjoying the quiet and the people watching.
Staff is friendly (aside from the often surly cashier ladies who are not fond of small talk or pleasantries). Cheese mongers, fish mongers know their stuff and offer samples of anything that catches your eye.
The fresh Mozzarella and Buratta is fantastic.Exceptional selection of meat, cheese and fish for such a small store. Other specialty items: crackers, packaged goods & dairy items are varied and interesting. I found a fabulous and inexpensive espresso roast from Italy that has been a great addition to my local bean buying.
Sad that we are living in a time and place that makes wonderful shopping markets like these so pricey. I live closer to Provisions Greene Grape, but will make the trek to Choice Market because I feel that it is a far better store for the $$.
Don't shop corporate giants Whole Foods and Trader Joe's! Support our local businesses!! -
Review from Craig R.
Brooklyn, NY
10/4/2009
It's amazing that this place is so tiny yet I always find what I'm looking for. Excellent selection of vegetables, pasta and assorted goodies. Their prepared sushi is killer, and most of their products are local or from independent companies. Their bread selection is also very awesome.
I don't eat meat but even that stuff looks good here. -
Review from Becca B.
Brooklyn, NY
10/19/2009 1 Check-in Here
Amazing. The sushi is my fave, better than anything I find in the city. Seared salmon with fresh cilantro is the best. Prepared sandwiches are good too, just get them early - they can get a lil soggy.
The cheeses are amazing, tons of breads and crazy crackers. Don't go here of you're on a budget, I spoil myself with a trip to this store. I literally salivate every time I pass by. -
Review from Ari M.
Brooklyn, NY
1/24/2011
I do a lot of my grocery shopping here in the winter when the farmer's market is rather bare, because the produce is the best in the neighborhood (which isn't saying much, but still). They are always really nice, and the cheese selection is a plus. I love that they stock fresh pasta as well. Plus, once I forgot my credit card and they let me bring the groceries home and call with my card number - that's the benefit of shopping at a small, local business!
The only thing I don't like is the credit card minimums, but they're definitely not alone in that. -
Review from Johnny F.
Brooklyn, NY
12/31/2010
I moved in the area in april 2010, and find choice to be an absolute delite! love the staff! would prefer to shop here than a big grocery store - way more special, and retro of the way things should be. best feature - the chocolates and cheeses! very euro...
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Review from Lans S.
Brooklyn, NY
4/10/2010
man, oh man, if i was stackin' mad bank, id be all over Choice Greene. its so beautifully arranged with all of the freshest, select produce, deli meats and cheese, and all of your other premium grocery needs.
everyone there is extra friendly and cool. pricey, of course, but gourmet doesnt come on a budget, i guess, unless youre in the frozen tv dnnr section of the pathmark, of course. -
Review from Gisele T.
Brooklyn, NY
2/7/2011
Best baguette and espresso I've had since living in Paris!
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Review from Tiffanie T.
Brooklyn, NY
12/6/2010
Good quick stop market.
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Review from Vivian H.
1/12/2009
After visiting Choice Market, we strolled by Choice Greene and we were curious, so we too a look inside. And wow...what a cute little grocery place! We didnt buy anything, but it was still nice to look. They have many different kinds of cheeses, and cured meats, ie chorizo, bacon, etc! They also have a fish counter in the back, which also had alot of interesting choices. Definitely will have to come back and buy some ingredients to make a homemade meal :)
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Review from A M.
Brooklyn, NY
6/9/2010
Cheese, fish, olives, chocolate and baguettes are great and prices are comparable to Greene Grape Provisions. Only gripe is that their produce selection has been a downer lately especially when the farmers markets in Ft. Greene and Prospect Park are blowing up with good stuff that costs roughly the same as what they charge for imported and tired looking.
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Review from d'N'L m.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 11/11/2009
Took me 15 minutes standing in line to purchase a baguette for $2.75.. Yikes.
1 Previous Review:
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11/3/2009
expensive would be the first thing that pops into my mind grapes.
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Review from Trixie F.
Brooklyn, NY
3/21/2010
I don't need a pantry or a refrigerator in my apartment because this charming gourmet market is around the corner. . . . yummy cheese, fresh fish, vegetables, fruits and herbs. more varieties of dark chocolate than anyone would ever need. did i mention the pastries and bread? oh and the sushi, tasty sandwiches and flowers to go? and, they take suggestions. seriously. i love this place!
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Review from anishea w.
Brooklyn, NY
4/12/2010
This grocery is clean, fresh foods but its quite expensive. I only go there once in a blue when I am walking up greene
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Review from e. K.
Brooklyn, NY
3/25/2011
quality food, good variety, friendly staff, and a sweet patio in the back.
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Review from Chris A.
Manhattan, NY
10/27/2009
As an avid cook who lives nearby, I was totally excited when CG opened. It started off a little rocky and seems to have gotten worse, not better. The cheese and charcuterie are great to have in the neighborhood, and the fish is usually pretty good--even though they often screw up on cutting portions (any fish guy should be able to cut a six- or eight-oz piece of fish, IMO). The bread is decent as well. Everything is priced on the high side (sometimes way too high) but I understand it's a small neighborhood shop.
The produce is an abomination. Why do they even have wilted produce on display? And the pricing makes no sense--they pre-package items and post signs for the price per pound, but the packages themselves do not have a price tag. Going to pay is like Russian Roulette--you don't know what the tab will be.
The pricing is also really, really weird--one day corn is $2 an ear (ridiculous!), and the next day it's $.50. They were also recently selling some kind of fancy Icelandic water for $8 A LITER!!! Why bother?
Bottom line, no one seems to be in charge, and save for the young, very sweet cashiers, the staff turns over constantly.
I really hoped I could count on Choice Greene so that I could avoid the nearby awful grocery stores as much as possible. But sad to say, produce and other items at the Pioneer are often better than Choice Greene. So what bugs me the most is that it's not one-stop shopping--not even close. I'm still hoping they'll get their act together. -
Review from Megan B.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 12/5/2009
I already gave Choice Greene five stars, so there's not much to improve -- but I wanted to revise my opinion of the sushi, which I had said was too generous in the fishy to rice ratio. I'm totally in love with it now and don't know if my taste changed or it's changed. Either way, the fish is so fresh and the combinations are super delicious. I mean, the chef is from Blue Ribbon, so I guess it's to be expected, but I'm loving the spicy tuna, the salmon and avocado, and any of the sashimi. Plus, they make this ridiculous cured salmon which you can buy raw or already cooked that just upped my addiction to their fish stuff. I love.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/25/2009
We waited and waited and waited for Choice Greene to open up just down the road from us (PS it's… Read more »
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Review from h s.
Brooklyn, NY
1/19/2011
I really WANT to like it. The fish is very fresh and I love the fresh sushi made by the Japanese guy back there. I haven't experienced the garden but so nice that it's there. Good selection of cheese and cured meat but usually just one person behind the counter so if there is more than one customer...ya gotta wait. The sandwiches always sound good in the description but end up having too much stuff on them. (Keep it simple!!) The Raffetto's ravioli is a good price and good find for the neighborhood, the bread and cheese moderately (+) priced, but most everything else is super expensive. I once got a $4 plum. But really my stars are mostly low for the cashier who said "I SAID you're WELCOME" because my thank you was not quite loud enough.
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Review from Brianne D.
Brooklyn, NY
1/18/2011
I have never felt the need to write a review for anything before, but I feel I have been betrayed as a once faithful customer to both Choice Market and Choice Greene. It is unfortunate, but I can no longer support them after learning about the poor way they their treat employees. Such a shame - I will just have to walk a little further now to Provisions on Fulton to get my gourmet fix. Maybe its for the better since I have discovered they have an excellent variety of fresh and organic products including a great meat selection and comparable coffee!
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Review from Hanna C.
Brooklyn, NY
7/6/2010
i come here for bread and cheese. anyone who comes here to get anything more than that is just.... i know pioneer is not the greatest grocery store but i agree with tommy k. etc about how the prices went up and would rather get my stuff from whole foods. still i like making the short trip there with my dog so i can get some baguette and cheap spinach / arugula.
