Best Appetizing on the Upper East Side?

[Mulcahy]

I am a West Side girl. Do all my smoked fish shopping at either Murray's Sturgeon shop or Zabar's.

I work on the East Side. Tonight I have to pick up some appetizing to take to a friend on the Upper East. Where do I go??

[bloviatrix]

Although I haven't tried either, what about Eli's or The Vinegar Factory?

[Fat Guy]

You have quite a few strong choices available: Grace's, Citarella, Agata & Valentina, Eli's, Vinegar Factory, Dean & DeLuca, and some smaller stores . . . . Can you narrow down the geography a bit?

[ellenesk]

I would try either vinegar factory, or Agata and Valentina on 1s and 79th.

[alacarte]

Citarella - 3rd Ave & 75th Street

[Mulcahy]

I work on 50th and 3rd. Am visiting a friend on 86th and 3rd.

Anywhere between here and there, one avenue to the east or west is easy enough for me to get to.

Am looking, specifically, for excellent smoked salmon and sturgeon.

[weinoo]

Sorry I didn't see this sooner, but the best appetizing by far on the UES is at Sable's - 2nd Avenue between 77 & 78.

The guys know how to cut fish - the owner was a lox man at Zabar's for like 25 years before opening this place. There's probably 6 or 7 salmons, sable, sturgeon, chubs, whitefish, pickled lox, various herrings, delicious salads, etc. High turnover means really fresh stuff.

All the others pale in comparison, imho.

[Cleo]

Sorry I didn't see this sooner as well since I was also going to suggest Sable's. Very good stuff.

Definitely keep it in mind for next time.

[Todd36]

The guys know how to cut fish - the owner was a lox man at Zabar's for like 25 years before opening this place.

I've been told that Sable's has been sold.

[weinoo]

Really, where'd that info come from?

Next time I'm in that neighborhood, I'll go check it out!

[Todd36]

Really, where'd that info come from?

Next time I'm in that neighborhood, I'll go check it out!

←

A friend in the business who is friends with the current owner.

[Mulcahy]

I ended up going to Sable's. Bought sturgeon, Eastern smoked salmon, and lobster salad. It was all, as promised, fabulous. But the lobster salad? Unreal.

Thanks for the recs everyone.

[weinoo]

Yep, and they always get you by giving you that taste!

[mikeyrad]

Yep, and they always get you by giving you that taste!

←

yep, you can eat lunch on the tastes. Their lobster salad and whitefish salad are not to be missed.

[Ocean_islands]

I've found the best value at Agata & Valentina. Lots of smoked salmon in NYC is this hideous flourescent Jewish or kosher brand which is full of sodium nitrites. Steer clear of it.