Meat and Seafood sources in DC

[paulraphael]

I'm staying in DC for the holidays and will be drafted into cooking something. Any recommendations on meat or seafood sources not near the cathedral / Cleveland park? I am geographically challenged here and don't know A street from Z street, but can probably manage reasonable trips with google maps help.

Have been to both the Whole Foods near here and find the contents a bit depressing.

Edited December 23, 2009 by paulraphael (log)

[Chris Amirault]

Thanks to busboy I hunted down Eco-Friendly meats at the Alexandria farmers market and had the best lamb I've ever had in my life. It might take some doing to get the stuff, but you will be blown away.

[DTBarton]

Can't help you in Cleveland Park, but if you want to make a day trip to Annapolis (a fun thing to do) we have a couple of good butchers.

http://www.mybutcherandmore.com/

http://www.thebutchersblock.net/

[paulraphael]

ack! that farmers market won't be open til my last day here and anapolis is way too far.

any good food in dc proper during the week?

[weinoo]

ack! that farmers market won't be open til my last day here and anapolis is way too far.

any good food in dc proper during the week?

Hey Paul,

Since I've been spending a fair amount (or maybe even way too much) of time in the district, I've discovered a few places. Harris Teeter is a grocery that has a pretty decent meat and seafood department. The one I've been going to is on 17th St. in Adams Morgan.

Also, the Eastern Market reminds me greatly of the Essex St. Market (though it looks new thanks to a renovation after a fire a couple of years ago). Good butchers and a great atmosphere.

[Fredzo]

There's a great organic meat market in McLean, VA, just across the Potomac from DC. It's the Organic Butcher. They carry both organic meats and sustainable seafood. I've had a number of meats from them and have been very satisfied.

Good luck!

[Busboy]

Are you on public transport? If so, you're kind of screwed.

The Whole Foods in Glover Park, just north of Georgetown, doesn't strike me as as bad as you seem to have found it. Hunt up the dry-aged prime beef. The fish there can be pretty good, as well, and the cheese selection. Get the wine across the street at Pierson's.

When I go looking for meat, if I'm not at the Whole Foods I'm at Union Meats in Wienoo's new stomping grounds of Eastern Market. Bought an excellent prime rib there for Thanksgiving. There's also a passable cheese shop and, if you want to cook all nose-to-tail, you can get more obscure bits of pork. The fishmonger there is to be avoided at all costs.

The Dean & DeLuca in Georgetown generally has a very limited fish and meat selection and it's pricey, but it's usually damn good.

My thought for the best fish in town is the market at Black Salt, which isn't exactly around the corner but is probably only three turns from Wisconsin Avenue (where I assume you're staying). Best fish market I've ever seen not in Crete. Also, it's next to a no-longer-brilliant-but-still-passable bakery and one of the best wine stores in town.

I've never been a huge fan of Wagshal's butcher shop, but in deference to the many whom I respect and who are indeed big fans, and to the fact that the directions are brutally simple -- "go down Wisconsin to Massachusetts and take a right(west) and go to the District line" -- I include it.

Finally, assuming that you're staying in Cathedral/Cleveland Park, the best Indian Restaurant (Heritage of India) and the best strip club (Good Guys) are across the street from one another, just down the hill from Wisconsin Avenue. Just sayin'.

[paulraphael]

Thanks for all the tips!

I'll consult with my hosts/diners/chauffeurs and get a vote.

And if we give up, i'll look forward to family xmas at the indian joint and the strip club.

[Busboy]

And if we give up, i'll look forward to family xmas at the Indian joint and the strip club.

There's a Tom Waits song waiting to happen...

Edited December 24, 2009 by Busboy (log)

[takadi]

Does anyone know of good places to get offal and fresh seafood, particularly fish? As of late I've been sourcing from polyface and some local farms in farmer's markets...it is exceedingly difficult to get a hold of certain organ meats however that aren't the usual heart/liver/kidneys. I've been getting fish from Hmart but it often isn't very fresh or sits there on ice. 

[Hassouni]

Maine Ave fish market, perhaps? Or, as was suggested upthread, the Black Salt fish market. I find the stuff at Hmart pretty damn good, but perhaps I'm just getting lucky. If you want weird organ meats, try Red Apron in Merrifield or the Organic Butcher in McLean - what they don't have on site they can definitely order for you.

[weinoo]

They might be able to get whatever organs you're looking for at Stachowski's.

 

I find the seafood looks very good at the P Street Whole Foods.

 

And  there is a seafood vendor and a butcher in the Union Market.  Excuse me - artisans.