Eli’s is an upper east side favorite combining food emporium and eatery for a shopping and eating experience. Whether or not you need a special cooking ingredient, or just want to pick up lunch, chances are that Eli’s has it.

For a bit of trivia, some of you may or may not know that Eli Zabar, the son of the parents who founded Zabar’s on the West Side, founded Eli’s; it’s not important.

Eli’s is known for their breads. It is a tasty creation that is chewy on the outside like a well-made bagel, airy and substantial on the inside. They make a good sourdough and onion bread that is not oily. They have multigrain health bread, rye bread, ciabatta, ficelles, and other delicious creations. The average price for a loaf of bread is $2.95. The raisin nut loaf containing walnuts and beautifully studded with raisins cost $4.95. Rolls are $0.40 each.


Eli’s Vinegar Factory
Eli’s flagship, the Vinegar Factory, is located at 431 91st Street, between First and York Avenue. It is a spacious working marketplace producing many of the products it sells. On the roof there is a greenhouse growing stuff like tomatoes. At the marketplace, one can pick up prepared foods, meats, cheeses, coffee, soup, fresh produce, and of course, bread. Prices are in line with most other all-in-one gourmet marketplaces like Zabar’s, Citarella, Whole Foods Market (organic, prices tad above average), Dean and Deluca (got to pay that high SoHo rent somehow).

Upstairs is a restaurant seating 180, and open only on weekends for brunch. The décor inside the restaurant is icily charming. It features an industrial décor of rough hardwood floors, and steel girder support beams. Brunch at the Vinegar Factory is an a la carte affair of comfort food. The menu practically screams, ''Breakfast in bed'', but it's rather expensive. Bagels with lox, roast beef with eggs, omelets, that sort of thing are on the menu.


Eli’s E.A.T.
Eli’s E.A.T. at 1054 Madison Avenue, between 80th and 81st Street, is your classic noshery featuring classic New York deli cuisine. There is not a preponderance of meat on the menu, but there are traditional staples such as tuna fish salad, turkey, potato pancakes, smoked salmon, roast lamb, salads and soups. The place is usually crowded. I’m not sure if that is due to its popularity, or because the Metropolitan Museum of Art is one block nearby.

The prices at E.A.T. are expensive. A bowl of soup or a plate of salad at E.A.T will set you back $8.00. Sandwiches are on par with some of the most super-mondo-mega-expensive delis in New York, $12.50 minimum, and that will only get you either a foccacia sandwich, or a country sandwich!!! it's ridiculous. Tomato and mozzarella, $14@%! For something with meat in it, like roast lamb, or pot roast, you have to pay Eli’s ransom of $18.00. This is for eat-in service, takeout sandwiches are a bit less expensive.


Eli’s Manhattan
On the corner of 1411 Third Avenue, between 80th and 81st Street, is Eli’s newest marketplace and restaurant. The marketplace is a bit more spacious than the Vinegar Factory, and it is a good place to go if one is planning an impromptu picnic at Central Park and looking for a nearby place to pick up stuff – one can also try Citarella on 75th Street and Third Avenue.

The marketplace occupies two floors. Downstairs is the marketplace where one can pick up fresh produce, meats, and cheeses; a self-service salad bar; prepared foods; and a dazzling array of soups to be heated at home. A pint of soup cost about $4.00. Cakes and pastries, such as 4'' key lime tarts ($5.00), are also available. The ground floor is the take-out ''cafe'' part of the marketplace featuring hot soup, coffee, pastries, bread, and other self-serve snacks. The selection at the marketplace is pretty good, but the prices are so-so.

Eli's Manhattan also integrates Eli’s Restaurant for a casual meal with ''marketplace driven American cuisine'' on the menu. Entrees range from $17.00 to $36.00.




Recommended: Yes

Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes