Uncommon Meat

[nhb2009]

I am fairly ambitious for a home cook. Or at least, I'd like to think so. Particularly so when it comes to cooking meat.

But for me there's a lot of pent up desire because I simply don't where to source a bunch of things. Right now, I've got a hankering to give rabbit a try. But really, I am curious to try mostly anything that's a little more unusual but still quite common in high-end restaurants. Here I am thinking of wooly pigs (Berkshire, et.al), veal sweetbreads, suckling pigs, duck, duck, goose, veal chops, &c &c. (I am an unapologetic omnivore.)

Perhaps, I should restate. I do know where to source a lot of this stuff. But every time I look at the list of D'Artagnan, I get excited and also poorer. And shouldn't it be possible to get some of this stuff fresh? There must be a meatmarket that does this kind of thing somewhere in LA, right? Where do the restauants

Having recently made a successful trip to El Monte in search of cheese and downtown on a weekday morning in search of the freshest fish, I am suddenly full of hope.

I live in Los Feliz. But I figure that knowing about these places makes stopping by when you are in the neighborhood possible. Does anyone care to add to my list:

1. El Monte- the place for cheese! Burrata, fresh mozza, smoked mozza, ricotta, and mascarpone. The ricotta is $6 for 3 lbs. What a deal!
2. Downtown LA - fresh fish on Sanford Street. The fresh fish goes quickly and arrives at an unGodly hour.

[ickster]

For suckling pig, veal and beef I would call Harvey Guss. Recently bought a whole pork loin. Top quality. Good prices. You have to call a day or two in advance.

949 S Ogden Dr.
[phone]

[Harry Nile]

In addition to these home markets, you might also take a look at: http://www.heritagefoodsusa.com/

I've had excellent luck with their meats, and they also have nice-looking cheese and charcuterie. Not cheap, however.

[Burger Boy]

Where in El Monte are you getting your cheese?

[Mattapoisett in LA]

I think they are talking about Caseificio Gioia in South El Monte

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Gioia Cheese Co
1605 Potrero Ave, South El Monte, CA 91733

[ipsedixit]

Hawai'i Market in San Gabriel (SE corner of Valley Blvd and Del Mar) carries all sorts of meat, e.g. boar, rabbit, venison, snake, as well as all types of organ meats and uncommon seafood.

[Kitchen Queen]

nhb2009 -

I am in search of really good, very fresh burrata w/o paying the outrageous $$'s. So, where in El Monte should I go for cheese.....

[nhb2009]

Giao Cheese in South El Monte is the place. Burrata is the most expensive of their cheeses I believe, but if memory serves it is $6 per lb.

[wilafur]

just keep in mind tha gioia is only open to the public M-F.

[Burger Boy]

I can not find a address for Giao Cheese, do you have one? Thanks

[Mattapoisett in LA]

Your Spelling was incorrect.

Gioia Cheese Co
1605 Potrero Ave
South El Monte CA

[Servorg]

You should check out Harmony Farms up in La Crescenta.

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Harmony Farms
2824 Foothill Blvd, La Crescenta, CA

[Gavin499]

Harmony Farms isn't bad, and they certainly have a wide selection, but keep in mind if you're looking for "fresh" you're out of luck. Basically everything they source is frozen. They have fresh beef and chicken (I believe) but anything more exotic than that is frozen solid. Up to you if that's a deal breaker, but it's worth noting.

[Cinnamon]

Well, Chinatown is probably good for some ingredients and others could probably direct you to exactly where. I know I've seen VERY fresh fish there, and while not 'fresh' I did notice they had air-dried duck at Wing Hop Fung, which is a really fun herb-and-everything-else store to browse:
http://www.winghopfung.com/

Incidentally, if you're near the L.A. metro trains, Chinatown and Thai Town are both easy to get to on them, they have their own stops, pretty much.

Rabbit's great with a very rich gravy and french fries, the one goose I ever made was essentially a liposuction patient and I was underwhelmed with the result. Have gotten good frozen duck etc. from Gelson's, if you ever happen to not be by someplace more exotic.