GRUB 411:

• JUNE & HO; 70 Purchase Street; Rye, NY 10580; 914.967.1900
• TYPE: Classic French gourmet food store, everything’s homemade
• PRICE: $$
• HOURS: M–Sat 7am – 6:00pm; closed Sundays
• SeoulDiva Says: I may be a little biased because it’s my mom & dad’s store, but I have yet to find a comparable specialty store that makes everything homemade, with wholesome, fresh ingredients.

FULL REVIEW:
My mom & dad came to the States after they got married in Korea, and began by owning various cheese stores in Manhattan.  Once I was born, their friend suggested they move to Westchester for all the normal reasons: better educational system, better environment to raise a family…So in 1982, they moved.

June & Ho (my mom’s name & my dad’s name) has become a staple in the Rye community; they’ve been in business in Rye for over 27 years!  They have seen kids who used to eat at their store after high school, come back to the store years later with their own children.
Their success lies in the Yin & Yang of their business: my dad is the Yang, running the business side of things at front of house.  My mom is the Yin, always in the kitchen, running a tight ship.

June (my mom) has prided herself on culinary perfection.  She studied rustic French cooking for years under Chef Levy, and in 2000 she enrolled into the French Culinary Institute to undergo their 9-month course–which she graduated at the top of her class!  (I always told my mom that the course was just a formality for her…she already had the skills, just needed to “title”)
My parents wanted June & Ho to be a haven for people who love FOOD.  Whether you love to cook–or just love to eat–they wanted June & Ho to be a place where you can do both.  They have an array of fresh produce, fish, meats, spices and ingredients…but they also have an extensive selection of prepared foods, baked breads and pastries — ALL HOMEMADE.
My parents are some of the most hardest working people I know.  Knowing that they came to this country knowing little-to-no English and built a reputable French gourmet business…I am so proud of them.  And will forever be indebted to them for sacrificing so much to provide me with the tools to succeed in my life.
Here is a little photo reportage of what June & Ho has to offer.  (I love you mom & dad!):

• Fresh produce and fresh flowers.  My mom drives into the city’s Flower District 1-2 times a week to hand-select the flowers to sell at the store.  Being the Classic lady she is, she has the usual offerings, but also likes to choose flowers you don’t often see elsewhere.

• Selection of pre-wrapped sandwiches, salads, sushi and Pain de Mie for a quick grab-and-go.

• A preview of the first displayer: shrimp cocktail, salmon salad, celery root salad and my all-time fave: Smoked Salmon Tartare.  My parents built a smoker on the roof of the building, and the cure & smoke HOMEMADE smoked salmon.  I’ve personally never tasted anything like it before.  I must warn you: after you try it, you’ll never be able to eat other smoked salmon ever again. 

• You want cheese?! We got cheese.  My parents used to own a cheese store in Manhattan before they moved up here, so they carry an obscene variety of cheeses.

• Daily fresh baked bread.  In addition to taking the 9-month chef’s certification at FCI, my mom also took the French Artisan Bread-baking class.  My parents bake all their breads daily.  Baguettes are a staple, but also love their 7-grain bread….

• Compared to New York City prices…it’s CHEAP!

• My mom’s signature Tarte Tatin and berry tarts.

• Chef Didier, head pastry chef at Rye’s famous La Panatiere Restaurant, also provides baked delicacies for my parents to sell.

• Variety of sauces, condiments spices and everything else you’d need to be a master chef yourself!

• A healthy variety of Harney & Sons teas, as well as a full spice rack to the left.

• Full selection of homemade salad dressing, sauces (Pesto, homemade Marinara), cured meats (YUM!), Mango Chutney, Pico de Gallo, guacamole, hummus, roasted eggplant dip and delicious soups (made from scratch)…ALL HOMEMADE!  My mom is particularly known for her phenomenal soups.  I have yet to find a place that has such a variety of homemade goodness available every day.

• Also carry dairy: Ronnybrook Farms & Fage Total Greek Yogurt!

• Also carries specialty food items like Truffle Salt and Fleur de Sel which, if you’ve never tried, you’re missing out.  If there could be different qualities of salt, this would be platinum grade!

A LOOK IN THE KITCHEN:

• The infamous bread oven!

• My mom was making Beef Strogonoff…

←mom was not amused!