New York

You can’t throw a precocious child in Park Slope without him landing on a real estate firm, Laundromat, or gourmet shop. The semiotics of quality involved in differentiating them is a long, expensive process. One stop along the way that will surely leave you in raptures is a trip to the Blue Apron. Tucked off 7th Avenue, it operates on an upper-echelon ethos. Its cheese cave is beguiling; row upon row of herbed chevre layer cakes and smoky Goudas and oh, things, lets be honest, that I simply can’t remember how to spell. The charcuterie is also legion, and a jolly man behind the counter will happily take you on a flight of salami before your choice is made. The usual assortment of spreads, pates, and jams are all selected by hand, and best of all there is a fine selection from the legendary chocolatier Jaques Torres. If you like picnic preparation the way a valley girl likes shoe shopping, then Blue Apron will certainly spirit you away.

Photo:  Asher Ross