3 Incredible Specialty Food Shops on the UES

Sometimes it feels as if we live in a sea of chains—especially when it comes to grocery shopping. So I’d like to highlight my three favorite food specialty shops on the Upper East Side, each unique in their offerings and a staple of our neighborhood.

Dorian's Seafood Market: This small shop on York Avenue has some of the neighborhood’s freshest seafood. Owner Dorian Mecir, former manager of the Rosedale Fish Market, is passionate about quality fish. The selection here is vast: brook trout, gray sole, red snapper, or sea bass. There’s monkfish, tilapia, flounder, sole or salmon, sturgeon, swordfish, and mako shark. And shellfish such as shrimp, lobster, crab, oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops. Plus, there’s a small assortment of prepared dishes and salads as well.

Shaller & Weber: This butcher shop dates back to 1927 when Ferdinand Schaller (once a sausage maker in Stuttgart, Germany) opened his business in Yorkville. The friendly market sells an assortment of authentic German meat and sausages, as well as fine cheeses and candies. Perhaps a lesser known fact is that the deli counter makes a fantastic sandwich.

Ottomanelli Brothers: One of our all-time favorites, Ottomanelli’s has been family owned and operated for over 100 years, and is a great place to get a cut of meat. And if you’re looking for a local spot to get your Thanksgiving turkey, this is it (just be sure to order in advance). Sadly, the Ottomanelli locations have dwindled over the past years (how I miss their cozy UES restaurant), but this stalwart is still a longstanding staple; in fact, writer Harper Lee would visit the shop each day when she was a Manhattan resident.