175495 Thu Sep 08 00:02:03 -0700 2005 13 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 943790 I'm interested to know the names of restaurants in Washington, DC where I will find Niman Ranch meats. Also where in town may I purchase Niman Ranch meats to cook at home? Thank you! Thu Sep 08 00:02:03 -0700 2005 0 Daisy 1 943792 Niman Ranch produces top of the line meats and they are priced as such. I'd be very surprised if many chowhounds had long enough arms to reach the bottom of thier pockets to pay for such high quality meats. Thu Sep 08 04:57:30 -0700 2005 943790 0 MousseT 1 943793 Although not in the District, I believe Wegman's may carry that brand. Thu Sep 08 07:57:17 -0700 2005 943790 0 anni 1 943797 I saw some Niman products at the new Trader Joe's in Silver Spring and if I recall correctly they weren't horrendously overpriced. I've also found Laura's beef, available at Giant, to be of very good quality. Also, another interesting source for meat is heritagefoodsusa.com but prices are very high. Thu Sep 08 08:10:26 -0700 2005 943790 0 shellymck 1 943800 Breadline, on Pennsylvania Ave. & 18th St. NW, uses Niman Ranch meats exclusively. The trinachria sausage is fabulous. Breadline, in case you don't know, is a sandwich & salad place that's only open for lunch & breakfast. You can also buy NM products online, through their site, see below. Link: http://www.nimanranch.com/ Thu Sep 08 09:11:09 -0700 2005 943790 0 Arista 1 943801 Whole Foods carries Niman Ranch meats. Branches in Friendship Heights (on top of the Metro) and on 15th and P NW, as well as some suburban locations. Thu Sep 08 09:17:19 -0700 2005 943790 0 DC in DC 1 943803 MousseT is correct. Niman Ranch meats are extremely overpriced, and because of that, I have come across, on several occasions, meats beyond their prime. Their prepared meats are probably a better bet, yet those, too, can be quite high. As for restaurants, one restaurateur I know backed awy from the product once the price doubled, even tripled for some items. It is his position that locally raised products that are equal if not better(closer to slaughter) than Niman can be procured at a better price point. As for the consumer, buying these products can take a bit of an effort. I have had success at some srea farmers markets, and The Mount Airy Meat Locker(Wagner Brothers) in Mt. Airy Thu Sep 08 09:54:54 -0700 2005 943790 0 Doversoul 2 943927 I didn't say that Niman Ranch products were "overpriced." I said I didn't think many Chowhounds would be willing to pay top dollar for top quality meat. Sat Sep 10 01:29:46 -0700 2005 943803 0 MousseT 1 943806 You might consider trying local high-quality meat that is grown under humane and ecological-friendly conditions. Polyface comes to the Arlington and Dupont farmers' markets. Both their pork and chickens are excellent and full of flavor. They sometimes have lamb. The meat may be fresh or frozen, depending on when butchering took place. I buy frozen with no noticeable deterioration in quality. Also very fresh chicken and duck eggs when available. The products are not cheap, but well worth the price IMO. The link describes their philosophy and processes. In the area, you can find their meats served at Jose Andre's restaurants (e.g., Zaytinya), Restaurant Eve in Alexandria, Equinox, and Cashion's that I know of. You can see others on the website. Link: http://www.ecofriendly.com/index.html Thu Sep 08 10:08:47 -0700 2005 943790 0 bacchante 2 943824 I agree about Polyface -- good products and worth the price. The farmers market at Foggy Bottom (Wednesdays 3-7 through the end of October)is also a FreshFarm market like Dupont. Foggy Bottom now has a vendor, Smithfield Farms I believe, that sells beef and pork products. I didn't see chicken but then I didn't ask for it. They also have awesome fresh pasta. Thu Sep 08 12:26:22 -0700 2005 943806 0 Lisa H 3 943865 The vendor at Foggy Bottom farmers marked in Smith Meadows Farm (Smithmeadows.com) NOT Smithfield Farms. Thu Sep 08 18:10:28 -0700 2005 943824 0 Lisa H 1 943831 Palena sometimes serves Niman Ranch meats. Thu Sep 08 13:00:26 -0700 2005 943790 0 Smokey 1 943943 Whole Foods carries Niman Ranch pork, and I'm so spoiled I can't buy pork at other supermarkets now. I haven't seen NR labels at Wegmans, and I didn't find their pork to be up to the same standards. I don't think it is that much more expensive than other brands of pork. In terms of restaurants, I noticed that Chipotle uses NR pork. Sat Sep 10 15:16:26 -0700 2005 943790 0 ScotteeM 1 944669 Thanks to all for recommendations. Much appreciated! I happened into Breadline (thanks) and sampled the NM meat firsthand. The difference is quite apparent. Mon Sep 26 01:03:26 -0700 2005 943790 0 Daisy