Brookhaven Marketplace

Brookhaven Marketplace in Darien is not a large store, nor is it impressive in it's decor, but if you are looking for an unusual food, or just like experimenting in the kitchen, this place is worth the visit.

To your right, when you first enter is the produce section. It has at least six varieties of old familiars like oranges and onions, and  a healthy selection of greens. Peppers of every sort, color and degree of hotness, and eggplant including Indian, and Japanese varieties.  There are all kinds of roots, and the largest selection of dried beans and legumes I have ever seen.

The entire back wall of coolers contain your usual assortment of packaged meats and fresh fish. However if your tastes are more daring they also have squid and sometimes a barrel of live crabs. The last time I was there a woman was serving samples of cooked lamb, and it is my understanding that with some early notice they can also provide an entire roasted pig or lamb for your special doings.

They also have prepared foods, some need to be cooked, such as the pork kabobs, chicken tacos, or steak fajitas. Some of the prepared foods, like ribs, and chickens are hot, and ready to eat. The deli section is typical of a large grocery store, but the salads and homemade sausages deserve special mention. They make their own Greek, Italian, Polish, and Mexican sausages, and even have octopus salad. The macaroni and potato salads are delicious, they do not have that metallic taste that the bigger grocery store salads have.

The bakery section is small, but they make up for it in the big taste of their chocolate eclairs,and other assorted goodies. The rest of the store has the usual grocery staples, but also includes a large selction of every kind, size, and shape of noodle, American, Italian, and Asian.  They also speak at least eight different languages for customer convenience, and every employee I have run into is quick to respond, friendly, and happy to help.

As far as prices, this is not the place to go for frozen prepared foods such as pizza, they tend to be a little high, however they do feature weekly specials.

Brookhaven Marketplace is located in Darien , in Brookhaven strip mall at Plainfield and Cass roads. It's worth the trip.   

Comments

[donna]

I love this store. The fresh meats and vegetables make the trip worthwile. The jumbo shrimp and baby octopus are our favorites.

[Sandra]

If you consider yourself a foodie...Brookhaven will be a little piece of heaven for you!!! You'll find a large variety of various ethnic favorites, Asian (fresh lemon grass...Yesss!), Italian, Greek, Lithuanian, Polish, German, Irish, Indian, Middle Eastern,and Mexican (did I mention fresh lemon grass??...the cashier shared her favorite lemon grass/ginger tissane recipe with me which happened to be my plans for it also) even "Deep South" American (I've never seen such a collection of "Greens" in one produce section AND fresh peanuts.) But to top that...the prices are more "local grocery store" than "upscale gourmet market". Walking thru there last Saturday was like a U.N. tour...I must have hear 6 different languages being spoken. It is a Western Suburban Mecca for ethnic foodies!
The produce, fish, and deli areas are especially delightful. There is also a small refrigerator dedicated to caviar, which my husband tells me, sells at about 1/2 the price of what he can find elsewhere. I have to stop now as I am beginning to hyperventilate. So if you are a dedicated foodie, take the Stevenson south to Cass Ave. then north to Plainfield Road in Darien...you will be delighted!

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