Meat and Greet
Finding the right butcher can make all the difference.
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When I lived in the Carroll Gardens neighborhood of Brooklyn, I used to frequent my local butcher (and by frequent I mean daily visits.) Esposito's Jersey Pork Store, or as I affectionately referred to them—The Hot Butchers—was a highpoint of my days. Not only were these men gorgeous, but they always greeted me with a cheerful "Hello Beautiful" or "What can I get for you today, Hon?'" Which is all I needed to brighten my sleep and adult conversation deprived state—I was a new stay-at-home mom with an infant son. While having my spirits lifted was important, what I really craved was good food. They always helped me make a great selection and offered sage cooking tips.
I don't believe your butcher needs to be attractive (although it sure is nice.) What makes butchers indispensable is their sound advice, cooking know-how, and beautiful cuts of meat that will cook up beautifully every time.
Check out these fine, local butchers.
A&S Italian Fine Foods
Owned by two Italian brothers, who grew up in New York City, they opened their first shop in 1985 in Stratford and then moved their successful shop to Fairfield in 1993. Fantastic selection of prepared meals and salads (you can't go wrong with their pasta, arugula, Kalamata olives and feta salad, my kids even devour it) prime cuts of meat. Their homemade prepackaged chicken marsala is incredible and their baked pastas make serving homemade meals a snap. You don't have to panic if you forgot to ask one of the butchers for cooking tips while you were in the shop, just check their website!
- Prepared Foods
- Groceries (limited)
- Catering
- Hot, Prepared Lunch Specials, daily
Located in Fairfield and Norwalk
Greenwich Prime Meats
In addition to their fabulous butcher shop, they sell a few prepared foods like their Gorgonzola salad, garlic bread, fried onions and cheese steak that regulars swoon over. Always friendly and happy to give cooking advice you can see why folks just love this place.
- Prepared Foods (limited)
Located at 100 Bruce Park Avenue in Greenwich, (203) 861-6328.
LaRocca's Country Market
This newly renovated and expanded butcher shop (with a new name, formerly Giovanni's) proves that old school paper wrapping with masking tape is still a hallmark of a high quality custom butcher. Larry the Butcher will set you up with cooking tips, too. The market itself carries most everything you would find in a larger supermarket, so if you are stopping for meat, you can fill out the rest of your list, too. If it's fish you're looking for they have fresh fish brought in Monday - Friday from NYC's Fulton Fish Market.
- Prepared Foods
- Groceries
- Catering
Located in North Stamford.
Ridgefield Prime: Gourmet Butcher & Seafood Shop
This shop is owned and run by self-described "regular guys." Phil the Butcher is not only a CIA graduate (no, not a spy, the Culinary Institute of America) he's also a cookbook author. Phil slices up prime cuts of meat, poultry and fresh fish—delivered 6 days a week. With fabulous, homemade take-out meals like Chicken Pot Pie and an extensive mouth-watering catering menu, you will not leave Ridgefield Prime hungry. Don't miss out on their awesome coupons!
- Prepared Foods
- Catering
Located in Ridgefield.
Saugatuck Craft Butchery
"An old-fashioned butcher shop with modern-day ideals." They are dedicated to only carrying pasture-raised meat (premium beef, pork, lamb and poultry) from small, local farms where animals live stress-free lives and have never been given antibiotics, hormones, steroids or animal by-products. They only source "whole animals and follow a nose-to-tail philosophy." In other words they use every part of the animal. They are one of the only butcher shops in the country to source and butcher in this way.
Located in Westport.
Sorrento Importing
Pleasing diehards since 1966. Yes, the neighborhood is a little gritty, but this place takes me back to my Brooklyn butcher shop. Maybe it's the large black and white framed poster of Old Blue Eyes behind the counter? Or it could be the shelf upon shelf of pasta in every shape and size imaginable, tomato sauces, canned tomatoes and giant tins of olive oil. The long line for sandwiches at lunch time moves quickly- thank goodness. Oh and don't miss out on their bacon, egg and cheese on a roll. I don't know how they do it, but it is insanely good (and cheap!) Love it!
- Prepared Foods
- Groceries (limited)
- Catering
Located in Bridgeport.
Tuscan Osteria and Mercato
This is not only a fine Italian restaurant, and a full bar with flat screen TV's; it is also a full-scale, old-world butcher shop and gorgeous market with brick lined walls, beautifully displayed produce, pastas, fresh baked goods, pantry items and prepared foods. It's a pleasure to shop here.
- Prepared Foods
- Groceries
Located in New Canaan.
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