Sadly, very few culinarians take toast seriously. Actually, no one takes it seriously—thus the expression “He can’t even make toast,” toasting being a cooking skill ranked one degree of difficulty up from boiling water. With Blue Ribbon Bakery Market, the latest addition to the Blue Ribbon empire, that could change. A showcase for the restaurant’s superb rye, Pullman, and country white loaves, BRBM is also a gourmet market and baking supply shop, and—should your home-toasting technique leave something to be desired—the place to go for perfect specimens topped with everything from sweet Vermont butter and artisanal Mexican honey to chive cream and house-smoked salmon.
14 Bedford St., nr. Downing St.; 212-647-0408.