looking for head cheese

[crosstown]

i was in new orleans, and the butcher shop behind the restaurant had seriously delicious head cheese. I'm looking for a standout in NYC- will go anywhere- I'm sure the polish places have the good stuff, but i'm looking for maybe a gourmet twist- rosemary? heirloom hogs (whatever that means)?

something from this new wave of porkery that seems to be sweeping NYC and the country...

[rose water]

Haven't sampled it, but know that they have it at Harlem Shambles (Frederick Douglass btwn 115-116)

[pups224]

The testa at Eataly is wonderful.

[Sneakeater]

The Testa at Lupa continues to be excellent.

[bifpocaroba]

Also in NJ 'burbs is Polska Smak in Kinnelon on Rt.23 / Boonton Rd. intersection which has excellent Head cheese. I had some the other day.

[Pzz]

I am rather embarassed to admit that in a moment of severe head cheese deprivation I bought and consumed several packages of Columbus head cheese. That said, it certainly was far from the best quality, but OK in a pinch.

[GaryUES]

I had a head cheese terrine at Bar Boulud about 6 mos. ago, but don't know if they have it regularly.

[Alan Henderson]

They pretty much always have it, and you can get it to go next door at Epicure Boulud.

[RUK]

If you don't mind driving into the suburbs - the Swiss Pork Store in Fair Lawn, NJ has excellent Head Cheese.

[njmarshall55]

Thank you for the memory jog! I used to get all of the Dutch House weekend provisions from the SPS and told them to put it on Frank's bill. The smell in there was incredible!!! And you're right...the head cheese is still the best I've ever had. Grew up in Fair Lawn and remember it all very well.

[mudcat]

Try making your own, its relatively easy. The Times Picayune Creole Cookbood (Twelfth Edition) has an excellent recipe for Headless Head Cheese, You can adjust the ingredients and seasonings to your taste. It may not be the old Pomes Head Cheese from NOLA but its darn close.

[sgordon]

For take-home or dining out? Lupa has pretty great head cheese ("coppa di testa") on the menu. Lot 2 in Ditmas Park has house-made lamb coppa.

[crosstown]

i looked up Lot 2- never heard of it, but I live in Ditmas Park. By the address it is really nowhere near Ditmas Park, but in South Slope. In any case, I will check that out- I really like Muncan in Queens, but the head cheese is not what i'm looking for- THeir capacolla is to die for though.

[buttertart]

Eagle Provisions in the Slope is very likely to have it (Polish grocery/butcher).

[msqueensfoodie]

Did you try Murry's near West 4th?

[crosstown]

yeah, i don't know if murrays has head cheese. do you?

[buttertart]

My best bet would be Schaller and Weber on the UES, but if they have it it would be the straight ahead stuff, not fancypants. http://www.schallerweber.com/

[JungMann]

That depends on what you consider fancy pants. They have straight up head cheese (Sülze), a variety featuring bits of ham, pimento and olives (Topfsülze) and even one made with rich slices of tongue in blood and aspic (Zungenwurst). There's also a vegetarian option, however I left my palate for vegetables suspended in jello back in the Midwest.

[buttertart]

A vegetarian head cheese? That sounds nasty.
No vegetarian head in it, I hope.