New York

Moishe's is one of many Russian/Central Asian bodegas catering to the local Jewish community, remarkable because it's conveniently located right next door to the mighty bagel emporium Hot Bialys. Among its small selection are plenty of freshly baked cookies and breads, barrels of dried fruits and nuts, frozen and canned goods galore, a few cases of meats, cheeses, and assorted prepared foods, and, of course, phone cards. This Queens County juror was happy to take home a bag of frozen Russian veal dumplings made in Brighton Beach, a vacuum-packed hunk of spicy Armenian basturma, a chewy wheel of Uzbek lepeshka bread, a pound of garlicky carrot salad, and a tub of super-sour cream for under $20. The only disappointing purchase was a fresh meat pastry: light and flaky on the outside, mysterious and gray on the inside.

Photo:  Jennifer Keeney Sendrow