Food Shop: Despaña

408 Broome Street (between Lafayette and Centre Streets)
212-219-5050
www.despananyc.com

We love this appealing Spanish import food shop with a SoHo vibe. Opened just last year, we think it’s become an instant NYC food classic.

Part of the fun of Despaña is just walking around and trying the products. Samples are generously offered throughout the store. Last visit we tasted four cheeses, three meats, red pepper spread, olive oils, vinegars and a fantastic and intriguing cactus-banana confiture.

When we were there on Thursday at lunchtime, the two men behind the counter were in perpetual motion, one slicing ham, and the other weighing and cutting cheeses. This shop carries 55 kinds of cheese imported from Spain and an assortment of meats including Serrano ham and their own chorizo sausages.

Despaña calls them “bocadillos,” but we just call them some of the best sandwiches around. Served on Sullivan Street Bakery bread (our current vote for NYC’s best bread--more on this another day), there are about a dozen choices, most costing $8, and all feature ingredients for sale in the shop. Do try the terrific “picante,” served warm, and made with spicy chorizo, Mahon cheese, Basque guindilla peppers, tomatoes and aioli. They also serve a limited selection of tapas, Pintxos (little dishes from the Basque region) and desserts. There’s limited seating to eat there—three small marble countertops each with two stools, and a wooden bench out front.

The floor-to-ceiling shelves lining one wall of the store are well stocked with sweet and savory staples, cookware including paella pans, and even cookbooks. Quality is tops at Despaña, and the prices fairly reflect that.