New Jersey

 Eden Gourmet, South Orange

This sophisticated, three-story, 35,000-square-foot store, resembling a fine European market, stocks more than 10,000 specialty items, like prosciutto di San Daniele, truffles and fleur de sel as well as pristine, artfully arranged produce.

There are numerous departments in this elegant store: a patisserie with perfect-looking petits fours, a smoothie and juice bar that serves mango bubble tea and a skilled butcher who trims and cuts prime meats. There’s also a sushi bar, a fresh pasta area and salad bar with edamame and falafel, for example.

“The stuff here is beautiful,” said Sabine Hack, 44, of South Orange, who was loading her cart on a recent Saturday. “My parents are German, and I can get all the stuff they like here.”

Mustafa Coskun, one of the owners of Eden Gourmet, said he’s not competing with the Whole Foods Market that opened in the fall in Union nearby; his focus is more on artisanal than organic foods, he explained.

But there are also conventional groceries, like canned goods and common cereals, at Eden Gourmet. Mr. Coskun estimated that his inventory included 2,000 everyday items. In this tough economy, he said, he is working to add more.

Upstairs is a casual cafe that serves pizza, wraps and salads. A full-service restaurant is scheduled to open soon, along with a spacious outdoor patio that promises to be popular in warmer weather.

Eden Gourmet, 1 South Orange Avenue, South Orange; edengourmet.com; (973) 762-5200. (Other locations in Hoboken and Atlantic City.)

Yup Eden Gourmet is Great I Love It. Glad they came to Town.

Gregory Burrus -

http://www.techoss.com

Article snippet coutesy NYTimes- March 5, 2009

Full Story Here

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/nyregion/new-jersey/0308dinenj.html?_r=2