Prep School

Thanks to a wealth of homespun products from every borough, it's easier than ever to cook close to home--but it's those days when we don't want to cook that eating locally presents a challenge. Luckily, a handful of new markets are stocking their shelves with local items, as well as prepared dishes that utilize them:

LIC Market Take in a meal before shopping for groceries at this new market and café. Try two fried eggs inside a slice of seven-grain bread for breakfast, or a salad of arugula, ricotta, golden raisins and almonds for lunch. On the way out, pluck such items as French lentils, sweet-and-sour carrots and blueberry jam from the shelves. Saturday brunch begins this weekend, and dinner service, cheese, cured meats and fresh pasta will debut in the fall. 21-52 44th Dr. (at 23rd St.), Queens; 718-361-0013 or licmarket.com

Radish This adorable shop (pictured) stocks such rare finds as Brooklyn Honey (cut fresh from the comb) and Whimsy & Spice cookies. We find it hard to resist the Bo Bo Farms chicken sandwich with fresh horseradish. Those with a sweet tooth should grab the lemon-curd trifle with lavender-poached blueberries for dinner and call it a night. 158 Bedford Ave. (at N. Eighth St.), Brooklyn; 718-782-2744 or radishnyc.com

Lucas Fine Foods While its clean, white interior and kid-friendly food made Misty Kurpier's store an instant hit with its Park Slope neighbors, we'd venture from afar for her simple roasted beets with lentils and mustard seeds or mac and cheese. The shop is the first to carry Ample Hills Creamery ice cream, which comes in flavors like Bananamon--bananas and cinnamon blended with vanilla wafers. 847A Union St. (at Seventh Ave.), Brooklyn; 718-230-5520 or lucasfinefoods.com