By Joanna Dreifus

I've lived within a five-block radius on the Upper East Side for the past (gasp) 14 years. While I may not look like the quintessential Upper East Side mom (I own not a single item of Juicy clothing), I know this neighbhorood inside and out when it comes to shopping (heck, I even remember Third Avenue Bazaar and Ben's for Kids). Here are some hidden neighborhood gems I've found where you can snag great items goodies for your kids (or yourself). Many of them require a quick detour onto a side street. It'll be worth it!


Pomegranate. 201 E. 74th Street. 212-288-4409. A charming place to find a unique, personalized hostess or housewarming gift- or a treat for yourself. Feast your eyes on a small but gorgeous selection of stationery, clothing & accessories, and housewares. Lots of items can be monogrammed for a special touch.


Whitney gift shop. 945 Madison Ave at 75th Street. 212-570-3600. www.whitney.org. Want some funky arty gifts? The Whitney Museum's shop, located on the museum's lower level next to Sarabeth's restaurant, features fun, art-inspired gifts (think Warhol-inspired plates) as well as a hip selection of toys for kids (including one of my favorite toys, Dado Squares). Disclaimer: my first job out of college was at the Whitney Museum. I bought gifts for friends there all the time.


Metro-Minis. 821 Park Avenue at 75th Street. 212-313-9600. www.metrominis.com. Relatively new to the nabe, Metro Minis stands out; you don't expect to find a Park Avenue storefront touting attachment-parenting gear, do you? In addition to the requisite slings and carriers, Metro Minis offers organic baby clothing, toys, and accessories by Happy Green Bee, Haba, Kate Quinn Organics, and Built NY.


Fill-R-Up. 197 East 76th Street. 212-452-3026. www.fill-r-up.com. I admit it- I'm a gift basket junkie. But only when they're stuffed with great stuff (you know, not cheap plastic baby bottles). For deluxe (and pricey) gift baskets that include lots of personalized items- whether for babies, kids, hostess, or business- this is the place to go. They deliver in the neighborhood,too.


Hoofbeats. 232 East 78th Street. 212-517-2633. If you drool over personalized cardigans, burpcloths and the like, this is the place for you. Preppy personalized baby gifts like hooded towels, canvas totes, and accessories. Just the things for little Ava or Dylan. Great customer service.


Good-byes. 230 East 78th Street. 212-794-2301. Right next door to Hoofbeats, Good-byes carries quality selection of kids' toys, accessories, and nursery decor, as well as the latest trendy baby gear. I bought my first Skip Hop diaper bag here back in 2003, before every other mom had one!


Talbots Kids. 1523 Second Avenue at 79th St. 212-570-1630. This is not a "hidden gem"; it has a prominent location and is part of a big retail chain, BUT, it is on its way out (closing late summer/early fall '08), so I adivse you to shop there soon. I love the colorful, age-appropriate kids' clothing (in fact I often prefer it to Lester's uber-trendy threads across the street). The sales can't be beat, and you can expect tons of markdowns in the next few months. Added bonus: the store's clean bathroom. Never know if your kid'll need an emergency pit stop.

E.A.T. gifts 1062 Madison Avenue at 80th Street. 212-861-2544.
A general store gone glam, this Zabar-owned shop jams it shelves with plenty of fun items ranging from party supplies to toys to knick-knacks for kids. Most items are skewed towards the younger set, but there are lots of gift options for grown-ups, too, like fun stationery, books, and housewares; favored brands include Chiasso and Knock-Knock. Look for their fantastic seasonal selections, too; my daughter and I love to shop here for Halloween goodies including pumpkin-print toilet tissue! Be prepared to pay Madison Avenue prices.

Io e Tu. 1582 First Ave at 81st Street. 212-794-1260. I didn't see this store till I moved close to First Avenue, but now I stop in regularly. It's a tiny boutique with a stellar hand-picked selection of up-to-the-minute European and American clothing and accessories for kids, including brands like Lucky Jade, Moncalin, and I'm Still Me. Some nursery decor and toys, too.


212-Kids. 230 East 83rd Street. 212-535-4131. Finally, somewhere to shop for toys besides Mary Arnold or Homboms. This side-street shop is packed to the gills with quality toys and birthday gifts for kids. Nothing mass-market; look elsewhere for the latest singing Elmo. Warning: it's a small, narrow store. Leave the stroller at home

Know some other hidden UES shopping gems? Tell us about them?

Joanna Dreifus blogs at MyMomShops