When we talk about food, I love exploring food markets. I love the concept of Eataly and Le District, which are places dedicated to Italian and French cuisine, respectively, and are places where you can not only enjoy typical dishes but also buy typical products. By the end of this year, New York will get a ‘Spanish Version of Eataly’. The project of chef José Andrés and Adrià brothers will bring a Spanish version of Eataly to the Hudson Yards complex – and I confess I can not wait! But if you love Spanish cuisine like me, you’ll like to know that there’s something similar in New York: I’m talking about Despaña.
Asturian born Marcos Intriago and his former Galician business partner Jose Pernas built the strong foundations for our future business journey by purchasing a small chorizo factory on Northern Boulevard, Queens in 1998. Later, the name “Despaña” has come to represent a reliable and respected source for those looking to find authentic flavors and ingredients imported exclusively from Spain. The majority of the imported items are sold to chefs, purchasing directors, restaurants, catering companies and gourmet stores through our network of select distributors nationwide. In 2006, Despaña began to establish additional food boutiques to offer retail clients the opportunity to shop like a chef and enjoy our specialties at home.
Despaña does not compare in size to Eataly or Le District – it is more like a compact version, with the same concept. There, you will find a variety of Spanish products: olive oils, antipasti, sauces, chocolates, cheeses and of course Jámon. In addition, the place has some tables to sit and eat and the options include tapas – cheeses, croquettes, tortilla, and sandwiches (these tapas start at $5) plus soups and paella! Thiago, my husband, had already suggested Despaña on this post here, about cheap food in New York, but I did not know the place yet. We were there a few weeks ago and ordered the croquettes and the tortilla, plus the paella, which is for two ($ 25). A delight! It is worth remembering that next to Despanã there is Despaña Vinos y Mas, which, as the name suggests, has a selection of wines.
I loved the Despaña concept. It is a great place to eat delicious food at an affordable price and to shop for delicious food!
Address: 408 Broome St / 86-17 Northern Blvd (Queens).
Laura Peruchi is a Brazilian blogger, author, and entrepreneur. She has lived in Manhattan with her husband since 2014. Since then, she has shared on her blog varied content about the Big Apple. From travel tips, including unusual things to do, shopping tips, etiquette, restaurants, and a lot more, her blog has become a reference in Portuguese (also available in English) for anyone planning a trip to New York City.
