New! Tashkent Supermarket, West Village

The recently-opened West Village location of Tashkent Supermarket has been drawing curious crowds. Their massive outpost in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn provides a taste of home to the neighborhood's large Uzbek and Russian communities (think Anora). However, the vast majority of West Village shoppers seem to be like me - locals endlessly circling the immense (and very popular) hot and cold buffet, trying to decide what to buy.

I settled on a Georgian-style Khachapuri with beef, a hot, cheese-filled leavened bread with subtly spiced ground beef. Comforting, filling, and delicious.

Tashkent also sells fruits, vegetable, and other staples; a huge selection of smoked fish and caviar, and many uniquely Uzbek and Russian prepared and packaged foods. Their butcher counter is outstanding, with tempting thick-cut steaks on offer. Tashkent is fully halal, and prices are on the low side. My only question is, what do I try next?

Tashkent Supermarket, 378 6th Avenue, West Village.