Lobel's Prime Meats

Upper East Side
1096 Madison Ave.
between E. 82nd/83rd Sts.

P: 212.737.1373

What many consider to be the premier butcher in all of New York City.  Keep their Madison Avenue location in mind when you anticipate the prices.  But that aside, the quality of product and the skill and expertise from these butchers is outstanding.

What's great:

Their beef is excellent.  It is perfectly chosen, perfectly aged, perfectly cut.  If you live in the neighborhood their roasted chickens are a happy choice for dinner; you can warm one up and serve as if you roasted it in your own oven, or pull it apart and make a chicken caesar salad.

What to avoid:

The prices are high.  Really high.  I know the quality of the product, the expertise of Lobel's butchers, and the rent they must pay can explain the prices, but still.... 

What to know:

If you are still learning how to cook meat or you want to advance your skill and confidence especially when working with the more expensive cuts, it can be worthwhile to shop here a few times, if only to learn from Lobel's butchers and learn what good meat looks like and tastes like.