Agata & Valentina
(212) 452-0690
1505 1st Ave
(at 79th Street)
New York,
NY
10021
40.7721
-73.9532
Neighborhoods: Upper East Side, Midtown
What People Are Saying About Agata & Valentina
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Along with Grace's Marketplace, the Vinegar Factory, and Gourmet Garage, Agata & Valentina helps define the Upper East Side as gourmet grocery central. A relative newcomer to the game, this rustic-chic market focuses on the foods of Italy.
The Goods
A large deli department features hard-core Italian cold cuts like soppressata and hot or sweet cappicola, while the cheese department sports a huge number of offerings and loads of free samples. The prepared foods section also has a thick Italian accent and is among the more interesting in the city.
User Reviews
hungrycouple
March 03, 2009
We live a block away so this store is a constant temptation. It's expensive and crowded and the staff is poorly trained but there's a lot to choose from. On the down side, we can't seem to find a bread we like there, the hot prepared food can be so-so and the deli counter moves at the speed of grass growth. But the cold prepared food choices are better and with interesting seasonal choices. The fresh produce selections are top notch with great variety and quality. Looking for a specialty herb or unusual vegetable? You'll find it here. The cheese counter looks well stocked and dangerously delicious. Lots of prepared salads in individual containers make for quick selections for a great lunch or easy cold dinner. The white bean salad, wheatberry salad and cabbage salads are especially tasty. The line to pay is long but there are many registers and they move fast. Your trip to that register though, will take you past the dessert department with its many individually packed choices. As you wrestle with your willpower, you'll smell freshly baking pastries and look over a dizzying array of sweet choices but the flourless chocolate Gianduja is worthy of a 4 star restaurant and the mixed berry cake is another delectable favorite.
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Colette22
November 10, 2008
Walking into Agata and Valentina is like walking into a busy market in Tuscany. Immediatly you smell the bread from the bakery, the fresh fruit displays, any kind of cheese you could possibly imagaine, they eben make there own balsamic vinagar and olive oil. The meats and fish are fantasic. These is sooooo many products in such a small place, The only downside is all this great food there is no wine ot pair it with, A&V doesnt sell wine. Not even cooking wine.
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pk0992
August 21, 2007
I don't frequent at Agata & Valentina and now I remember why. I think their produce, imports, pasta's are fabulous but don't bother to ask a staff member that works there for any help. I was there this past weekend and I asked for calamari and lasagna and the person behind the counter didn't know what that was! I'm surprised that a store such as Agata & Valentina would hire people who don't know what they are selling. It got worse when I asked for a side of mariana sauce and the person next to her had to tell it what it was! The person next in line had the same problem. Very disappointing for their lack of knowledge for a speciality store on the UES! Their restaurant across the street is a totally different story. I can't believe it's the same owner!!! In reference to the store though, I think I'll make an extra trip to Murray Hill or another gourmet store for good service.
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