Good Neighbor is a lovely Russian market, its wares enough to overwhelm anyone who’s spent time in the motherland with nostalgia. From the gruff staff (not mean, or rude, just gruff, and just like you find in Russia) to the Cyrillic writing that peppers the place, this is the real deal. And what’s great about Good Neighbor is that the shop is engaging in much more than wholesale merchandising; some goods, including five types of bread, are made here on the premises.

And how about these prices? At last check, sour cabbage was being sold at 29 cents per pound.

Tvorog, commonly—though not particularly helpfully—translated as farmer’s cheese, is delightful, slightly sweet and texturally just right. Ryazhenka, a cooked cultured milk, is also in the refrigerator, and it’s thought by many Russians to be a healthier alternative to cheese and the like. Speaking of cheese, there’s a very large selection here. Butter is exciting, too, with four different brands from Russia available. And they’ve got Kiev cake (don’t feel too guilty if you skip this one).

Adjika, a flavoring paste commonly used in the Caucuses, is an exciting find; its main ingredients are hot peppers, garlic, and a number of other savory herbs like (surprise, surprise) dill. There’s also kvas, an only slightly alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of rye bread.

But the real magic is found in the glass case of smoked fishes; there are at least ten types, including some succulent herring. Dried whole fish is another treat, best with a beer to counteract the saltiness. Malossol caviar is surprisingly affordable at $38 per tin.

But, whatever you do, don’t miss the Borjomi, a bottled water from Georgian springs that’s gently fizzy and just a bit salty. Many, ourselves included, swear by it as a hangover-kicker.