ISO FRESH sardines, anchovies

[montrealeater]

I am not very familiar with the many different seafood shops/poissoneries in town. Does anyone know if it's possible to find fresh sardines and anchovies (also herring) - and if so, where? Are they particularly cheap or pricey? Any info is much appreciated. Thanks! :)

[Lowrent]

I bought fresh anchovies twice at La Mer, a while ago.
I remove the head and organs and put the fishes in coarse salt for 3 months.
After that, I remove the fillets and keep them in oil in the fridge.
It's really really good.

I wanted to do that again and asked Norref for anchovies.
The manager told me it cannot be frozen, it's too fragile.
It comes fresh, in a big foam container, from Greece I think.
She told me they don't sell this product but can do a special order.
I would have to buy the whole package, which is a lot (too much).

Maybe if somebody would be willing to split in half someday...

[ios94]

Confirmed today at Coralli that sardines and anchovies are fresh not frozen and from Greece. He also has a Red Mullet (Koutsomoura) which is what I went for along with a few other of those small Greek fish. Price range $7-8/lb, $15 for the Red Mullet which is fantastic fried up.

[montrealeater]

Thanks for the help - I'm going to go to Coralli (I need something else in that area, so it's convenient) next week. Will report back, for info's sake. :)

[porker]

I bought fresh, never frozen-sardines years ago. I don't remember where or how much. What I do remember is that they were relatively expensive and not worth the price (to me) over the dirt cheap frozen variety.
I don't recall ever seeing fresh anchovies.
Herring, I dunno.

[JohnnyGe]

My go-to poissonerie for fresh sardines and anchovies is Coralli at 8955 Meilleur. Competitive pricing for sure.... Good luck!!

[ios94]

I second Coralli good quality and large selection.

[SnackHappy]

Do you know where their anchovies come from? Am I right in assuming that both the sardines and anchovies are previously frozen products?

[ios94]

I couldn't tell you with certainty if they are frozen but I'm under the impression that they are fresh. I have never bought either from him but I notice sardines and anchovies behind the counter and IIRC he has them tagged with country of origin (obviously doesn't mean they haven't been frozen). I do buy a fresh Red Mullet type of fish that he gets from Greece only a couple of times per year that are on display with the sardines/anchovies, on the pricey side at about $35/kg.

[JohnnyGe]

Sardines are fresh while not sure about anchovies. Their staff will let you know honestly, so not to worry.

[Haggisboy]

I've seen fresh sardines at the fish counter in Adonis. Not anchovies though.