[shoehoard]

The Fresh Market (a North Carolina company) opened its first New England location yesterday in Westport. I went after work and was just giddy with joy! So nice to have a great selection of fresh meat and cheeses. And the desserts looked just as I remember them in FL. Wonderfully delicious. Just wondering if anyone else has had the chance to shop there and what they think.
Please remember that The Fresh Market is a small, upscale market similar to Balducci's and Whole Foods. You will not get the vast variety like you are used to with a larger chain grocery store. And the prices will be higher at The Fresh Market. I think it's a welcome change to the area and am super pleased to see some southern items again (White Lily flour, Mrs. Shuberts yeast rolls, country sausage (no fennel or sage)).

[superk]

One of my favorite stores.

Maybe they can somehow have some NC BBQ available.

[mlassoff]

Checked it out late yesterday afternoon. Impressive produce, clean, nice store. I purchased some fruit to make a nice fruit salad for a friend and myself for dinner. Spent about $25 and it was very nice. I can't afford to do my regular shopping there (yet!) but I'd highly recommend for those who can or for a special occasion.

[andthentherewere3]

Is The Fresh Market largely an Italian specialty-type store? I ask, because we're not fans of Italian food, and I'd hate to make the drive if that were the case. The OP did compare The Fresh Market to Balducci's, and I've been told Balducci's has a lot of Italian specialties. Is The Fresh Market maybe similar to a Trader Joe's?

And I haven't even been to a Whole Foods, I'm still waiting for the one in Milford/Orange to open. (is it ever going to open!?)

Originally Posted by shoehoard

am super pleased to see some southern items again (White Lily flour

Editing to say I just came across this article discussed in the Food forum here. They are changing While Lily flour, or have done so already:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/18/di...lour.html?_r=1

[shoehoard]

There is another, separate post on Whole Foods in Milford. It's set to open on Nov. 11. I live in West Haven so I am awaiting its arrival, too. I hope it's like the one in Glastonbury, not the one in Wesport/Norwalk.

No, The Fresh Market does not cater to any specific ethnicity. As for comparing it to Balducci's, I should have been more specific. Balducci's, in my opinion, is a small, upscale market with a nice selection of fruits/veggies, gourmet foods, and a drool-worthy dessert section.

Trader Joe's is more of a small, speciality store. I love Trader Joe's products, but I wouldn't put it in the same category as The Fresh Market as I don't consider Trader Joe's an upscale, gourmet market. Take the dessert counter from Balducci's, the small, speciality niche from Trader Joe's, and the unique and upscale items from Whole Foods and blend together to get The Fresh Market. Throw in a little Stew Leonards for good measure.

When I lived in Tampa, I did the bulk of my shopping at Publix. About once or twice a month, I would go to The Fresh Market for meats, cheeses, desserts, etc. Or if I wanted to try a new recipe or just wanted some great steaks for cookouts, I would visit TFM. And that's how I'll visit the one in Westport, too.

Originally Posted by andthentherewere3

Is The Fresh Market largely an Italian specialty-type store? I ask, because we're not fans of Italian food, and I'd hate to make the drive if that were the case. The OP did compare The Fresh Market to Balducci's, and I've been told Balducci's has a lot of Italian specialties. Is The Fresh Market maybe similar to a Trader Joe's?

And I haven't even been to a Whole Foods, I'm still waiting for the one in Milford/Orange to open. (is it ever going to open!?)





Editing to say I just came across this article discussed in the Food forum here. They are changing While Lily flour, or have done so already:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/18/di...lour.html?_r=1

[andthentherewere3]

Originally Posted by shoehoard

Take the dessert counter from Balducci's, the small, speciality niche from Trader Joe's, and the unique and upscale items from Whole Foods and blend together to get The Fresh Market. Throw in a little Stew Leonards for good measure.

That sounds like a great store!

[shoehoard]

Oh, it really is. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Let me know what you think after your visit.
Oh, I also forgot to mention the containers of grains, nuts, etc. near the front of the store. You can mix and match whatever kind of snack-chex-mix concoction you want!
And try some of the prepared deli food, too. Wings are good. Huge twice-baked potatoes, rotiserie chickens, etc. Had the cold baked potato salad on my last visit, along with some wings, for a quick and yummy dinner.
You mentioned you weren't into Italian food. The one thing I always buy at TFM is their country pork sausage because it doesn't have fennel or sage like the sausage you get in the grocery stores. Can't miss it. It's in the meat section shaped like a pig. I brown it and put it in breakfast casseroles.

Originally Posted by andthentherewere3

That sounds like a great store!

[Tubulus]

Live very close to Fresh Market so have made it over a few times
Plus: Meat and fish seems high quality. Good selection of cuts/fish (they have squid and octopus, unlike Whole Foods). Nice selection of bread and beer. Small selection but high quality pantry items (ie sauces, pasta, rice, etc).

Minuses: Layout is a disaster. There is no flow to the store - just stands for various items. This is fine when the store was empty, but a disaster on a Sunday afternoon when everyone is travelling in a different direction. Bought a few pounds of short ribs and had to go back for more because half the ribs were cut too thin - all bone and fat. Second time chose eachpiece myself and all was well. Produce was expensive and not much local (although clearly I'd only expect a few things to be local this time of year). Staples (milk, eggs, bread, etc) were pricey.

In summary, great to have a eal grocery store in the middle of town with good fish and meat, but I'll stick to Stu's for produce and staples.

[shoehoard]

Absolutely agree. In Florida, I got most of my main staples at local grocery stores or Super Walmart. Fresh Market was a "treat" for quality meats and speciality items. Same in CT. I'll continue to go to local grocery stores for my everyday items, but will buy my meats at TFM.

As to the flow of the store, I disagree. The way they set up their stores is pretty much the same everywhere. You don't have the typical grocery aisles, however. It's an open concept store with the produce/floral section on the right, while meat, dessert, and dairy/beer line the back of the store. The middle of the store focuses on the huge deli/sushi/cheese/prepared foods section. TFM does have a couple of aisles for their speciality products and even has a few staples in those aisles. Give it a little time and hopefully the store will settle down somewhat. I went there opening night and got fantastic service despite the crowd.

Tubulus, you did exactly what I do. When I choose my meat at the counter, I am very specific in telling the person behind the counter exactly which steak, stuffed chicken, baby back rib slab (those are delicious!), etc. that I want.

Originally Posted by Tubulus

Live very close to Fresh Market so have made it over a few times
Plus: Meat and fish seems high quality. Good selection of cuts/fish (they have squid and octopus, unlike Whole Foods). Nice selection of bread and beer. Small selection but high quality pantry items (ie sauces, pasta, rice, etc).

Minuses: Layout is a disaster. There is no flow to the store - just stands for various items. This is fine when the store was empty, but a disaster on a Sunday afternoon when everyone is travelling in a different direction. Bought a few pounds of short ribs and had to go back for more because half the ribs were cut too thin - all bone and fat. Second time chose eachpiece myself and all was well. Produce was expensive and not much local (although clearly I'd only expect a few things to be local this time of year). Staples (milk, eggs, bread, etc) were pricey.

In summary, great to have a eal grocery store in the middle of town with good fish and meat, but I'll stick to Stu's for produce and staples.