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looking for the best place to buy olives

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here's my dream - an olive shop (or dept in a gourmet food store) that has a large assortment and features many olives from around the world, where the olives have a brief description of the flavors & undertones of each olive with their display, and the turn over is good/olives are fresh (old where age is proper, not stale/old from low turn over of huge vats) and good prices. I've got some decent olive sources around town but nothing really great, does anyone have any suggestions?...

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  1. great?? maybe not, but try fairway, sahadi,

    2 Replies
    1. re: doc

      In Manhattan, Zabars has a phenomenal selection, all the same price, and you can sample as much as you like. Also the Harlem Fairway. I sampled the peppadew (sweet/spicy peppers) at the 75th Street Fairway and they had turned, which turned me off to their selection.

      In Brooklyn, definitely Sahadi's, but be forewarned they're closed on Sundays.

      1. re: Mara

        I'm with you. I was really disappointed by Fairway's olives, but happily buy at Zabars every week.

    2. Titan foods in Astoria under the train tracks - very cheap decent but not that extensive selection

      Sahadis - Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn - good prices, good selection

      Amish Market - 2-3 locations in manhattan including east 45th street btwn 2nd and 3rd and the west side in hell's kitchen.

      1. I think this is a great idea for a small store but for now, you may have to sample here and there. When you're in the mood for italian olives, don't hesitate to go up to arthur avenue - particularly mike's deli in the big food market. Wonderful assortment and appropriately aged/fresh. They have a website so you might gather some info online. Then, open the store.