Fresh, high quality meat in Manhattan?

[FrançaisAméricaine]

My husband and I recently moved from Paris to New York City in April 2010. We reside in Manhattan and have had great difficulty finding a store with consistently fresh, high quality meat.

We have been very disappointed because we have purchased spoiled chicken and spoiled beef (multiple occasions) at Citarella, Fairway Harlem W 125th St and FreshDirect.com It wasn't until we got home to cook the meat (the day of purchase or the next day) that we smelled a pungent, spoiled odor.

We have tried the following places multiple times:
Whole Foods Columbus Circle *very strong tasting lamb, possibly lamb too old
Citarella UWS/W 76th St *spoiled poussins/cornish hens
Fairway UWS/W 74th St
Fairway Harlem/W 125th St *spoiled chicken
FreshDirect.com *spoiled dry aged steaks

The shop shops above were recommended to us by friends. Should we try to seek out a good butcher shop in the city instead of trying to purchase our viandes and volaille at supermarkets? We are mostly upset at the inconsistent freshness of the meats. When we have purchased fresh meats, we have been satisfied with the quality.

If there are any Frenchmen/Frenchwomen on Chowhound, have you also noticed that the beef and lamb has a very different taste in the U.S. than in France? I noticed that when I first moved to Paris and my husband has likewise noticed the difference since moving to NYC.

Thank you in advance and I hope someone might be able to recommend a good butcher shop or a supermarket with consistent quality meats. FYI - we live on the UWS and were hoping to avoid a long haul to the meatpacking district, but would be happy to do so if someone has a sure-fire recommendation.

[JeremyEG]

If you're concerned with freshness, I would definitely head to the USQ farmer's market. I had a chicken there last week that had been slaughtered just a day before. It's hard to find poultry that fresh even at the best of butcher shops. Also, the NY Beef Co. (I think that's what they're called) has fresh (not frozen) grass fed beef that has been very good lately. I had a hangar steak there recently that was incredibly tender and flavorful. As far as lamb goes, I've never had anything better than the greenmarket vendors and they have tons of cuts like neck and ribs that I often have trouble finding in butcher shops.

You guys are in a good city for great food vendors! Good luck and keep reporting back. Lots of people here are ready and willing to help!
JeremyEG
homecooklocavore.com

[FrançaisAméricaine]

Thank you for all of your help. Perhaps the meat wasn't all spoiled, although the odor coming from one of the chickens and the small poussins definitely smelled rotten. I think that as some of you have mentioned, we could be just going through an "adjustment" period. My husband (who is the cook) might not be used to meats here and I'm not the best source myself since I've only recently started cooking and baking.

We have had the best luck with meats at Whole Foods, with the exception of the stronger tasting lamb. The lamb was very fresh but the taste was just stronger than what we're used to eating.

We will definitely try some of the butcher shops you've recommended since my husband was wondering if he could "request" certain cuts of meat instead of just choosing from whatever is on display behind the glass. When he asked me, I didn't know the answer since I was never into cooking before I met him.

One other question - are there any equivalent "poissoneries" in New York? My husband was wondering about that too, especially the oysters (although yet again, he wasn't in love with the oysters that we had in my hometown of Boston due to the difference in taste).

Thanks again!

[orthorunner]

Closer to you than some of the other (excellent) options named:
Esposito's and Sons, an excellent old-fashioned butcher in midtown, 38th and 9th. They have a lot of things in the back so if there's anything you want and don't see out front, just ask. I am always disappointed when I miss them and end up having to get meat at WF. (caution-they are closed on Sundays)

[280 Ninth]

Welcome to nyc! Having spent time in Paris this summer, strolling rue Montorguiel for example, I have a little inkling of what you're missing! Gosh, I'd miss Monoprix, for that matter!

Fortunately, there are high quality butchers in nyc. In addition to the ones already mentioned, I frequent Ottomanelli's on Bleecker. Doesn't have the same polish and presebtation as in Paris, but you'll get good quality at a reasonable price.

Best of luck! At least in nyc, you can get good coffee easier than Paris!

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Ottomanelli's Cafe
1626 York Ave, New York, NY 10028

[ESNY]

Are you sure it was spoiled? That sounds like an awful lot of spoiled product to buy in the last few months. If it was in plastic wrap/styrofoam it will have an odor but it doesn't mean its spoiled. With chicken, you should definitely rinse it off before smelling to get rid of any residual odors.

Regarding the lamb/steaks, its possible you just arent used to the flavor of american lamb/beef, which is generally stronger tasting than the leaner, presumably pasture raised european varieties. Esp. when its dry aged. you may want to look for grass fed steaks and lamb. I agree with Dicksons in Chelsea Market or you can try Florence Meat Market in WV. There is one stand in the Union Sq farmer's market that has great lamb (esp the merguez sausage) but i'm drawing a blank on the name right now.

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Florence Meat Market
5 Jones St, New York, NY 10014

[loratliff]

I absolutely agree with ESNY–I seriously doubt all the meat you've purchased has been spoiled. I think that European meat tastes differently, but that doesn't mean it's spoiled.

Anyway, if you think a butcher shop is going to be any different, there are plenty of good ones. Faicco's, Ottomanelli & Sons and Florence Meat Market (all in the WV) are my favorites.

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Faicco's
260 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014

Florence Meat Market
5 Jones St, New York, NY 10014

Ottomanelli's Cafe
1626 York Ave, New York, NY 10028

[Pedr0]

Dickson's in Chelsea Market: http://dicksonsfarmstand.com

I'm surprised about Whole Foods. I've bought a lot of stuff from the one by me in Union Square over the years and never had anything that was off.

[gutsofsteel]

Yes - stay out of the supermarkets and go to good buchers.

Lobel's on the upper east - expensive but excellent, widely considered best in Manhattan

Try Shatzy's on the upper west - haven't been for a while but was pleased with several purchases.

Try some New Zealand lamb instead of American lamb.

The meatpacking district is really not what you think...

Also you should try the meat vendors at the Union Square Greenmarket. Direct from the farm.