Despaña

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Tapas lovers and Iberian food aficionados swear by this stylish outpost of Despaña Brand Foods, a Queens-based importer of Spanish provisions well known to savvy New York chefs. Neatly stacked shelves stocked with canned olives, paella rice and mixes, bottled and tinned squid, and jarred piquillo peppers greet shoppers at the entrance; inside, customers encounter clusters of olive oils, vinegars, honey, and preserves, even sugared chestnuts and whole preserved pears. The region’s noted seafood—cured fish, marinated anchovies, smoked tuna, and salt cod—is complemented by a solid selection of Spanish cheeses, from aged and young manchego to a creamy-soft tetilla and a leaf-wrapped blue cheese. A meat counter offers plentiful tidbits for tasting, like morcilla (blood sausage) and imported ham sliced paper thin, which are laid out on every surface to tempt novices to expand their culinary experiences. If the samples whet your appetite for more, you can order toothsome takeaway bocadillos, made-to-order sandwiches served on ciabatta from Grand Daisy Bakery. — Nancy Davidson