Despana, an excellent place to eat and shop
Every now and then, I stumble upon a unique shop that really deserves mention. One such place is a charming retail food boutique located in Soho, in New York City, called Despaña. Despaña Brand Foods was founded in 1971 in Queens, New York, primarily as a chorizo factory. Chorizo is a pork sausage of many different varieties, eaten all over Spain. When their chorizo products were very well received, Despaña branched out and became an importer of many unique and authentic products from Spain. Their Soho store is a great place to stop and eat a sandwich or some tapas and it's an amazing place to shop for Spanish products.
I love the places you share:) Thanks.
Posted by: Shelagh | March 23rd, 2009 at 6:15 am
Everything looks scrumptious, (I need to work on my sandwich presentations!), and I find the sauteed zucchini, onions and green and red peppers especially interesting. Who knows, one of these days I just might get to New York to check this place out. Thanks, Trish
Posted by: Trish | March 23rd, 2009 at 10:46 am
Welcome back, Jan, you always have something pleasant to add to Martha's blog subject.
Our house is big on chorizo. Our chorizo is a southern New Mexico recipe and the secret ingredients are better not known by the weak stomached diners.
I have had Whole Foods version which includes cinnamon--an interesting addition.
All are a good morning, noon or night.
Posted by: Margie | March 23rd, 2009 at 10:52 am
Since I am a relative new fan, I don't know if you have ever been to my country, Spain. If you haven't yet, may I recommend you to check Karlos Arguiñano's food. Oh, and it would be great to see more Spanish food showcased on your show!
Posted by: Pedro | March 23rd, 2009 at 11:11 am
the presentation of the food is amazing! i'll be in nyc in may and can't wait to taste it. is despana related to the restaurant 'la esquina'? i've heard its fabulous, too, but have never been able to get in...always too busy!
thanks for another great blog on a very beautiful and interesting place.
Posted by: sam nichols | March 23rd, 2009 at 12:29 pm
This definitely looks like a memorable shopping experience each and every time one would drop in! For starters, what lovely shopping baskets - very tasteful! It is currently around the lunchtime hour for me, so a few selections of interest would surely fit the bill for a variety of tastes for my palate to savour! I can't EVEN imagine what the porcini mushroom sauce tastes like, but yes, may I have some, please?! MmmHmm. Rounded out then with some cheese and chorizo samples, and Tapas Migas, I should hopefully be full! I AM curious, too, what that ham would taste like, having been fed acorns for a diet! Hmmm - interesting!
It's so kind of you, Martha, to spotlight Despana today! As a fellow business owner, my wish for them is that they will be just swamped with new customers coming and going. Anything worthwhile to you is certainly worthwhile to us, with your endorsement behind it.
(Is it suppertime yet?!)
=^..^=
"And we find at the end of a perfect day, the soul of a friend we've made."--Carrie Jacobs Bond
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | March 23rd, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Hi Martha, Yummmmmmm! I can sure see why you love this place, Martha! Not only is it a well organized shop, but the items presented are so very delicious looking and I would have trouble choosing what to taste first. This is definitely another must see whenever I get to NYC. I am so hungry now that I have to go get something to eat. Thanks again for sharing. Thank you to Trish, Cindy and Margie for your kind words. Happy day to everyone. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | March 23rd, 2009 at 12:56 pm
My brother-in-law is from Spain and has mentioned shopping at Despana when he's in the city. He loves the variety of their foods.
Posted by: Ed Stacey | March 23rd, 2009 at 8:11 pm
One of my sister in law used Chorizo but I haven't ever cooked with it or use it.
But did enjoy it.
Coffee is on.
Posted by: peppylady | March 23rd, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Wow, what beautiful food! I just had dinner, but this makes me long for some authentic spanish food! Martha I read your twitter re: the play or is it a movie?, God of carnage. Cracked me up!! Arguing does get one's "blood up". Doesn't it?!
Posted by: Frances Jackson | March 23rd, 2009 at 11:15 pm
I will have to check out this restaurant next time I'm in NYC. I love Spanish food, especially tapas. Martha, thanks for all your tips!
Posted by: Ivory pearl | March 24th, 2009 at 6:44 am
Very cool shop.
I have a "Jamon Serrano Makes The World Go Round" poster for sale in my shop!
How funny! Maybe I should send the shop owner a free print!
Nicodemus Green
Posted by: Nicodemus Green | March 24th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Can you supply me and my daughter with the Mediter. salad dish (the 1 with mint in it)for lunch on Friday 3/27/09 show. It look s so good but I am of problem on the website. Thank you.
Carol & Shelly
Posted by: Carol | March 27th, 2009 at 10:24 am
I just love how you celebrate beauty, harmony, and excellence...
Posted by: Marie-Pier | March 27th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Hello! we are many admirers in Latin America of your program, but of your person, I hope that someday also you have your web site in Spanish, and thus to be able to see your prescriptions and advice in our language, Greetings and thousand blessings
Besos y un Fuerte Abrazo desde Mexico
Note: Thousand excuses by my form to write jejeje
Posted by: Sofia Gonzales | June 17th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
its a great post.
Thanks.
Posted by: shopping baskets | October 9th, 2009 at 4:44 am