Profile

Don't be fooled by the rusty pipes, air ducts, cement, and wiring that comprise Broadway Panhandler’s ceiling; the arsenal of pots, pans, and kitchen sundries available here is polished to a shine. The store is a maze of giant stainless steel racks—like the ones you’d expect to find in an industrial kitchen—only these are stacked with baking supplies and tableware instead of cooling cookies. Toward the front, baking trays and cake pans come with few flourishes, but the essentials (and then some) are there. Knives are displayed along a brick wall in the back and range from $30 for a single 8-inch blade to over $600 for a 12-piece Wusthof set. The store is also well stocked with luxury items like retro espresso machines and electric panini grills. But there are also the most basic of basics—paper plates, napkins, and the like. One warning: Don’t ask the staff any questions unless you’re ready for the awful truth. They have no qualms about telling you when something is a piece of junk. — Josh Hudelson

Related Stories

Best of New York Awards

• Best Chef's Knives (2003)
• Best Cookware (2002)

Featured In

• What's Broadway Panhandler's Best Seller? (11/8/04)