Where can I buy the best and freshest salmon?

[umisquirrel]

Hi everyone,
I'm somewhat new to the city, and I was wondering where to buy the best and freshest salmon. I want to make gravlax, so quality and freshness are very important.
Thanks!

[rrems]

I normally buy all my fish from Citarella, but if you have reason to buy other things from Fresh Direct, I would not hesitate to get the salmon from them as well. I have had fish from them that was every bit as good and fresh as Citarella's.

[tarantula142]

Fairway might be a good choice as well.

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Fairway Market
2350 12th Ave, New York, NY 10027

[MMRuth]

IMO - Fairway is fine, but I'd rather go next door (if I'm on the UWS) to Citarella - a little more expensive, but better quality, I think.

[tarantula142]

Possibly true, although, IMO we're talking about marginal differences in quality. Both shops offer fish that is suitable for gravelox. In fact, I have made gravelox with fairway salmon and it has always been good.

[MMRuth]

I agree that for gravlax it should be just fine - I've made it with Costco salmon too!

[JoanN]

I buy a lot of fish at both Fairway and Citarella. Since both have a very high turnover, the fish is often (although not always) equally fresh. The main difference between the two is that Fairway has an emphasis on value while Citarella will have the best that’s available to them irrespective of cost.

[MMRuth]

That is a good way of putting it.

[fein]

citarella's and whole foods are usually my go to spots for fresh fish. this might sound strange but fresh direct might be good as well. a colleague gets most of his fish,meat,poultry from here. the prices can't be beat.

[MMRuth]

I have a friend who also likes Fresh Direct. I stopped buying fish from WF a while ago - just didn't look so fresh - but they did have some nice looking wild striped bass the other day. Since they couldn't shuck oysters for me though, I just ended up going to Citarella.

[john]

Completely agree with MMRuth - the fish at WF has gone waaaaaaay down hill over the last couple of years to the point where at times it appear indistinguishable from the orange rubber they sell at Food Emporium. I live downtown so I almost always buy my fish at the Lobster Place (there is a location on Bleecker and W 4th and one in Chelsea Market). They usually have at least 2 or 3 types of salmon of which at least one looks really fresh.

[Miss Needle]

Yes, Whole Foods is terrible for its seafood. Please avoid it. I've had better seafood from Sea Breeze on 9th Ave (and a lot cheaper).

I wholeheartedly agree with those who said Citarella. Really one of the best in town. Wild Edibles is good as well, but I prefer Citarella.

[offthebeatenpath1]

Citarella is always great. I recently bought excellent salmon at Wild Edibles as well.

[MMRuth]

I buy mine at Citarella mostly, and also make gravlax sometimes. I've also made it from Costco salmon though ....