NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps

NYC Seafood Markets?

Hey guys -

Before summer is officially over, I'd like to get my hands on some fresh fish to throw on the grill. I'm about to do my own research on the local seafood markets, but I'd really appreciate any feedback or experience notes that you guys may have with the places around town.

So what do you guys think, if you wanted to grill a fresh fish caught in nearby waters, which kind of fish would it be and where would you get it?

Thanks!
The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of StreetAdvisor.
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
I think they have some seafood at the green market in Grand Army Plaza? Other than green markets I have to admit the only place I can think to get some seafood is Fairway. I hear there is flounder around here in the summer, as well as Spanish mackerel? And bass.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Neversleeps I have never really bought fish in NYC but have friends who have used the fresh fish stores in Chinatown. They claim the fish is fresh and prices are good too.
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
I like trout or salmon. I used to get it at a Chinese store in Brooklyn. Now that I don't go there anymore, I have resigned myself to get it somewhere else. But haven't thought about where yet.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
Great question! I'd love to know too, as I've been generally suspicious of the Chinatown fish markets and don't know whether to trust them. Are they okay? Fish is one of those things you just do NOT want to get wrong. Which is why I typically pay a lot of money for fresh fish because I buy from either Fairway or Whole Foods. I know that they're overpriced, but, yeah, erring on the side of caution I guess.
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
The rain is really holding me back from my grilling fantasies right now, so I guess this will have to wait until next weekend, anyway.

Peeps on Chowhound have recommended Chinatown in the past, so I guess that will be my first stop. Maybe here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/bayard-fish-market-new-york
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
There's always the South Street Seaport and Fulton Fish Market - although they are a bit touristy - is the Fish Market still going? I remember the strong, if tantalizing, smell of fresh fish in the mornings...
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Uraniumfish, NeverSleeps the Chinatown markets are absolutely fine.The fish is fresh and my friends have never had a problem with what they have purchased there. I must add I have shopped for vegetables and fruits at Chinatown and the produce has always been very fresh.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Uraniumfish, NeverSleeps the Chinatown markets are absolutely fine.The fish is fresh and my friends have never had a problem with what they have purchased there. I must add I have shopped for vegetables and fruits at Chinatown and the produce has always been very fresh.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@NeverSleeps there is another fish store on Mulberry Street near the New Asia Grocery store so you can check the two of them out but they can be quite 'fishy' i.e. stinky and wet
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
@uptowngirl Yeah, the smell of fish can be very prevalent in Chinatown - especially in summer. I guess I should've known immediately where to get some fresh fish!

@everyone But what is up with this weather! Is summer over?!
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
I know, Neversleeps! It friggin poured on my birthday and I was pissed. It's kinda hard to kick your summer skirt up when it's drenched.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@JenMac Happy Belated Birthday JenMac ! I have one coming around next week gulp!
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
Happy belated @JenMac and happy upcoming bday @uptowngirl!
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@BroadwayBk many thanks
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
My local grocery store sells fantastic swordfish steaks for very reasonable prices. In fact the first time I was tempted to buy one was because the salmon steaks were so expensive. Anyways, I don't know how local swordfish is, but it's a nice seafood option that doesn't seem to be all that expensive.
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
Swordfish sounds amazing! I think summer will be back next weekend, in time for a little fish grilling.
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
Am I the only person in the world who LOVES the smell of fresh raw fish? I think it's not gross at all - as long as it's fresh, it's so appetizing. Makes me hungry just thinking about it.
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
Don't they say that if it smells too "fishy," it's not all that fresh?
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@NeverSleeps one way to check if a fish is fresh is to look at its eyes if they are bright and clear eyes that are grey or dull means the fish has gone bad.
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
@uptowngirl Ahhhh, good advice.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
Yeah, beware the fish smell, it's a pretty reliable indicator. A certain amount is inevitable, but truly fresh fish hardly has a smell at all.
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
Thanks for the happy bdays guys (I just saw them).
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
Has anyone ever bought fish at their local green market? I swung by the green markets in both McCarren Park and Grand Army Plaza this weekend and noticed that they both had booths where they sold clams and fresh fish. I think I may have to go back next weekend, once I have a menu in mind.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@NeverSleeps I have never seen fish at the Union Square Green Market the only green market I have frequent. Actually I do avoid cooking fish in my apartment because the smell tends to linger. That's one gripe I have about my apartment the circulation is such that when I open the kitchen window when I cook the air blows right in instead of blowing out.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@NeverSleeps I can't believe I forgot to tell you about Dorian's Seafood Market. This place is an institution in Yorkville and they have free delivery as well.
http://www.uppereast.com/dorians-seafood-market
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
@uptowngirl - haha! I remember that my mother refused to cook me anything but lemon sole in the fish family when I was a child (her pet peeve was salmon) because it stunk up the apartment for days! I can see why; when I cook myself salmon it's definitely...pungent
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
@jadeidealist Get you a fan! There's no reason to miss out on the delights of cooked fish!
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Uraniumfish Here in HK my kitchen is equipped with an exhaust fan and its a boon as it drives smells away almost immediately and I cook fish every week. Love Spanish mackerel which I cook in a spice curry and recently I even cooked prawns for a party. Now I am after my husband to install an exhaust fan in our NYC kitchen though apparently its not feasible because of the city's harsh winters. Is that true? would snow and wintry conditions hamper the functioning of an exhaust fan?.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
@uptowngirl Seems strange that it would, but even so, it might be worthwhile to have one even if you only use it in the warmer months.
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
I've never heard of winter's bad effects on exhaust fans, but then again I don't think I've ever had one during a harsh winter... Dorian's looks pretty awesome, though - thanks @uptowngirl!
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Uraniumfish I think you also have the buildings permission to install one as it can alter the facade and you know how sticky some co-op boards can be but I definitely want to look into it when I get back.
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
My boyfriend last year had a broken exhaust fan *and* no windows in his kitchen. We had to keep the door shut in the tiny room lest we set off the fire alarm - that was the smelliest (as well as the hottest) kitchen in all Oxford!
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