Seek leaf lard in the S.F. Bay area

[aiacopi]

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Also looking for some in the bay area if anyone knows of a vender... thanks!

[gredmondson]

Dittmer's German Deli in Los Altos will sell it for $1.39 a pound as of February 22, 2013. Call ahead to make sure they have it. I found it yesterday at Golden Gate Meats in the Ferry Building, San Francisco, for $5.99 a pound.

My next question is about rendering it so it can be used for pie dough. Slowly, right, like in a crock pot? One man told me to add salt. Do any of you know about this?

[chemchef]

Boulette's Larder's website says that they have it.

[mrs bacon]

For those on the hunt for leaf lard in SF, I have some great news. Prather Ranch in the Ferry Building has started carrying it, and they said it will be a regular item.

[Chuckles the Clone]

I noticed they had it at the Oakland Grand Lake farmers market last Saturday. At $10 a pound it was no bargain, but there is was.

[golooraam]

yup

I just bought a pound 2 weeks ago - great for frying pork chops!

[Chuckles the Clone]

The butcher shop at Cafe Rouge on 4th St in Berkeley told me they could order it for me. From one of their boutique suppliers. But I haven't ordered any yet so I can't confirm any details. 510.525.2707

[Bryan Gros]

i give up--what's leaf lard? vegetarian lard? :-)

[Chuckles the Clone]

Lard is pig fat. Leaf lard is the good stuff from around the kidneys.

[mrs bacon]

Thanks for that tip. I'll call them.

[TruF]

Sonoma County source for non-rendered leaf lard: Willowside Meats & Sausage, 3421 Guerneville Rd, Santa Rosa, CA [phone]. Call first to see if they have any. I did, and they set aside some for me to pick up. Nice folks! Inexpensively priced (1.50 lbs for $2.00)

[mrs bacon]

An update on my own leaf lard search. Tried Boulette's Larder, Prather Ranch and Golden Gate Meats with no luck. If anyone turns up any in SF, I'd love to hear.

[Mel Gee]

You might want to try the German-butcher approach. I lived in Silicon Valley for four years and know of only one in the Bay Area -- Dittmer's in Mountain View -- but there must be others. You could also ask the kitchens at Hardy's Bavaria restaurant in Sunnyvale and Teske's German Restaurant in San Jose for recommendations on where to look. Actually, the Tip Top Meats butchers gave me the impression that many kinds of good restaurants buy leaf lard, so why don't you just call a couple of your favorite places and ask? Good luck!