Jewish Soul Food: Russ & Daughters

Dad and I visited another old-school Jewish Lower East Side institution: Russ & Daughters. I'll be honest, I only learned about this amazing store last year when I watched Anthony Bourdain, as this shop was featured on the same episode as Katz's. My goodness, how did I go so long without this place?!
179 E. Houston St, Lower East Side, NYC

Like Katz's, Russ & Daughters has been around for almost 100 years. Although the store opened in 1914, before that, the founder (Joel Russ), had a pushcart. Like Zabars, Russ & Daughters specializes in old world classics like smoked salmon (lox), caviar, herring, and much much more!
The store is incredibly small and narrow. When you walk in, you are just hit with the smell of smoked fish. The decor and layout is so old school, that I don't think it has changed for decades! Lots of linoleum. As soon as my dad walked in, he was like a kid in a candy store. His eyes widen and if allowed, I think he would've bought everything in the store!
The wide selection of smoked fish.
Chubb, aka whitefish, is my favorite. I could eat a whole one on my own! 
They have a very nice selection of lox. 
Also, a really large selection of herring. I've never seen herring prepared so many ways. 
I love their selection of cream cheese. I am particularly intrigued by the caviar cream cheese.

 Like Katz's, this store was also incredibly crowded. Unfortunately, unlike Katz's, Russ & Daughters is not very big, so the customers were on top of each other. Either way, the wait was pleasant and dad and I eagerly planned our shopping list. A bit of lox, a bit of herring, a chubb, and some salmon caviar would do nicely for us. At one point, I worried that we had too much food so I asked dad, "do we really need the caviar?" As if I had committed a blasphemy, he looks at me in disbelief and says (totally serious), "OF COURSE! You're kidding, right? Of course we need the caviar!" I laughed so hard at his reaction. 
Interesting. Taramasalata in a tube....
I concur. 
Slicing up some herring and lox for us! 

Wow! What a fabulous store. Dad and I were so delighted with the goodies we were able to pick up! In fact, as I write this, I await my father's return from work so we can dig in! He has office hours this morning, but right by his office is the BEST bagel place, so he will pick some up and the feasting will commence!

If you are ever in Manhattan and you like smoked fish, you MUST visit Russ & Daughters. Zabars is also incredible, but I feel like it gets more press. Russ and Daughters is such a gem.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gordon Ramsay's Cheesy Potato Dauphinoise

Image
I am fairly impressionable --- at least when it comes to cooking. When I see a recipe or a dish that intrigues me, I become obsessed and determine to give it a go. I have been obsessively watching Come Dine With Me  for at least one month and a dish that keeps popping up is: Potato Dauphionoise. I've eaten this side dish a couple times in my life, but not recently. It looked so delicious and easy to make, and I was determined to try my hand at this posh looking side. As per usual, I consulted the internet to look for recipes. As most of you know, I am obsessed with Gordon Ramsay. He is always my go to. If he doesn't have a recipe for something I want to make, I'm always feel a little lost, but luckily, that wasn't the case this time. I was delighted to have stumbled upon Gordon Ramsay's "Gratin Dauphonoise." He has yet to let me down and you know what, this dish was a winner! Something that I am adding to my repertoire.  This dish was incredibly e...
Read more

Truffle Cream Cheese & Chive Spread

Image
So, I realize that this post is rather late…but I figure, better late than never, right? Over New Years, I was searching for recipes online, when I stumbled upon a new Gordon Ramsay recipe. As we all know, I LOVE Gordon Ramsay, in fact, I should probably just change my username to that.  Chef Ramsay has a recipe for a deliciously decadent, but oh so easy truffle cream cheese spread, and I couldn't resist. The ingredients are simple, you may even have most of them, and it takes no more than ten minutes to make. Oh, and it's delicious.  Whether you are entertaining guests or spending time alone, this spread is perfect for all occasions. It's great with bread and crackers, it's also delicious with grapes. The fluffiness of the cream cheese/sour cream, coupled with the decadence and amazing aroma of the truffle oil makes this a really luxurious spread that everyone will love! For Gordon Ramsay's video, please click this link .  Ingredients: - small con...
Read more

Tawaraya - One of Kyoto's Most Famous and Oldest Ryokans

Image
On this visit to Kyoto, rather than stay at a hotel, my parents and I were fortunate enough two spend two nights at the very famous and exclusive Tawaraya ryokan . Tawaraya is considered one of the most famous and posh ryokans in Japan. Past guests have included Steven Spielberg, Alfred Hitchcock, and even Marlon Brando! (Many famous Japanese people have stayed here as well, but these three just popped into my head). We made our reservation one year in advance, but even then, we had difficulty getting a room!  To quote Wikipedia: "A ryokan ( 旅館 ) is a type of traditional Japanese inn that originated in the Edo Period (1603 ~ 1868), when such inns served travelers along Japan's highways. They typically feature tatami-matted rooms, communal baths, and other public areas where visitors may wear yukata and talk with the owner…Most ryokans offer dinner and breakfast, which are often included in the price of the room. Most visitors take their meals at the ryokan, which usuall...
Read more