Places to Buy Fresh Seafood

[Katie Meadow]

Any recommendations for good seafood markets where I can buy fresh plump mussels, littlenecks, maybe steamers and maybe shad roe? These are the things that just don't measure up in CA and I am craving them! I will be staying in mid-town at 57th and 6th Ave. I will be walking distance from Whole Foods (not my favorite store.) I will also be making a Fairway run one day, so that's close to Citarella. Is there anywhere to buy fresh seafood where the prices and attitude are more humble than Citarella? I am not averse to traveling a bit for great mussels, but timing is unknown at this point. Thanks for any help!

[david coonce]

It's may. Mussels may not be the best right now.

[weinoo]

The Union Square green market is THE place for the bestest, freshest seafood in town - when the vendors are there, which is usually Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (I don't know if there is a fish vendor on Mondays, but I'm going this morning and will let you know). Fresh dug littlenecks, steamers and mussels (sometimes oysters) are generally available. They also have some of the finest scallops you'll ever taste, as well as a nice assortment of fin fish - black bass, sea bass, flounder, cod, monk fish, weakfish and porgies were among the offerings last week.

There are places where the prices and attitude are nicer than Citarella, but I don't know that the fish will be. Whole Foods may be hit or miss - when they've just gotten a delivery, they have some pretty fine stuff...it's caveat emptor, though, and last week our local (Bowery/Houston) WF had some wild, line caught salmon - it was $36 a pound...gulp.

Chinatown is Chinatown - gotta be careful...and lately I've eschewed buying fish that is stored sorta on ice and is sorta on the street.

[raji]

try Sea Breeze @ 40th and 9th Avenue. Go there at 11am and you'll have the pick of the litter.

[docsconz]

I've had good luck at Chelsea Market, though I have not been there recently.

[Mayur]

The Lobster Place at Chelsea Market, or its sister on Bleecker St, are IMO the absolute best places (other than the Greenmarket) to buy seafood, but be warned: Prices are high.