LINCOLN PARK — The neighborhood is now officially home to the city's largest Mariano's grocery store.
The gleaming 83,000-square-foot store, which is the anchor tenant of the massive New City complex at 1500 N. Clybourn Ave., opened its doors to the public Tuesday.
Thanks to its size, eager shoppers were able to navigate the store easily Tuesday, checking out everything from the global foods aisle and the spice wall to the organic produce and the cheese shop.
There's no shortage of dining concepts at the New City location. Shoppers can order hand-rolled sushi from Oki Sushi and oysters from both the east and west coasts at an oyster bar. There's also freshly prepared vegan and vegetarian food at Veg'd — a concept that is also at the Bucktown store, 2112 N. Ashland Ave. — barbecue from Todd's BBQ and a juice bar.
One of the store's most unique elements is its dedicated specialty cheese and Charcuterie shop, which is the only one of its kind in the city. There, shoppers can order a custom cheese plate for a dinner party, or get expert advice on which locally or globally made cheeses to buy. The only other Mariano's cheese shop is at the suburban Glenview location, 25 Waukegan Rd.
A high-end patisserie offering an array of cupcakes and pastries is also unique to the Lincoln Park location, as is a line of gelato and semifreddo cakes imported from Italy, ranging from $20 - $30.
The store is the only retailer in the Midwest to carry Italian chocolate from Domori, which says it uses high quality cocoa from regions across the world.
Other highlights include a full-service wine bar, which is situated in the middle of the first floor next to the hot and cold food bars, as well as a full-service pharmacy.
Mariano's was founded in 2010, and now operates 34 locations across the Chicago area.
Mariano's New City is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. The pharmacy is open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
One of the grocer's many dining stations, an oyster bar. [All photos DNAinfo/Mina Bloom]
Inside the grocer's specialty cheese and Charcuterie shop.
The global food aisle, which offers food items from around the world.
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