91 replies to this topic

[Wilfrid1]

Who's been keeping this a secret. I visited this large, indoor market, quite a long time ago, and found almost nothing there. Did I go on an unpromising day? I went in for some last minute holiday shopping and was most impressed. A large, busy butcher, offering among other things what passes for "game" in NYC, including venison and board sausages. A Latino butcher offering even more appealing varieties of offal, almost as good as Arthur Avenue. Several produce stands. Fresh fish.

Why isn't this place talked about? Or will I find the quality poor if I explore more closely?

[Abbylovi]

THM loves the Essex Street Market, gets his fish there almost exclusively. I can vouch for the thick cut bacon, I received a pound of it on my birthday .

[Orik]

Why isn't this place talked about? Or will I find the quality poor if I explore more closely?

A mixed bag. I think you can get better fish and meat in Chinatown at about the same prices. One good use I've put that market to is getting a large quantity of limes and lemons for preserves and limoncello (I think it was 20 limes to the $).

[wingding]

It would be great if this market would make a comeback.I haven't been in a while;there used to be half decent fish and produce there....admittedly my own standards have changed.But I used to go there with both of my grandmothers in the late 1950s and early 60s',and the Essex St. market was a crowded,vibrant place.Live chickens,candy,picklesyou name it....It declined as the population of the lower east side changed,and the current gentrifiers seem to prefer eating out,...but a bunch of small food businesses making a go of it would be a wonderful thing.I'm not holding my breath...

[Wilfrid1]

I went again. Again, it was quite busy and lively. This time I noticed what seemed to ignroant-old-me a considerable depth in ingredients for Mexican cooking. Abby, have you used it as a source? And how does one cook cactus, anyway?

I bought some nice corn tortillas. There really is a lot of offal here, so it's a nice place just to hang out.

[Abbylovi]

This time I noticed what seemed to ignroant-old-me a considerable depth in ingredients for Mexican cooking. Abby, have you used it as a source?

No, this is news to me. Looks like I have many reasons to pay the Essex Market a visit.

[omnivorette]

Isn't that where THM buys that bacon, too?

[Abbylovi]

See my post above

[Wilfrid1]

Does he buy it from Jeffrey's or from the Latino butcher? Jeffrey's selection might be interesting, but I am always driven away by the owner trying to sell me filet mignon or venison. Most annoying.

[guajolote]

And how does one cook cactus, anyway?

cut it up (thorns should be removed) and boil for about 10 minutes. they have an okra-like slime that needs to be rinsed off after cooking.

[Abbylovi]

Went on Saturday -- a really nice shopping experience AND everything is very gently priced. Got pork shoulder, bacon and smoked ham hocks from Jeffrey's (yes this is THM's bacon source). Jeffrey is quite charming.

Also got lots of produce: avocados (79 cents each!), cilantro, lemons, dried beans, and dried cod. If I lived in the area, I'd go all the time.

[Wilfrid1]

Interesting. Jeffrey was the only thing I didn't like. He always drives me to the nearby Latino meat stall with his cries of "filet mignon" and "venison medallions".

[Vanessa]

Maybe he sees Abby as a different kind of customer

v

[Abbylovi]

Interesting. Jeffrey was the only thing I didn't like. He always drives me to the nearby Latino meat stall with his cries of "filet mignon" and "venison medallions".

Ignore, ignore. Once you become a regular he'll greet you with cries of "blood sausage, tripe, liver"!

[Abbylovi]

Formaggio Kitchen opens an outpost in Essex Market.

Oh this is a major score!