Wow, wow, wow.
What a FABULOUS gourmet foodie shop, here in…read morethe heart of Kerrisdale!
(Those of you who know me know I don't rave about places often, using caps in my Yelp reviews!).
This place is wonderful.
I don't get to Kerrisdale as much as I'd like to, so I was somewhat surprised yesterday to stumble upon this Market Meats shop on 41st. A friend who works in the area mentioned that she sometimes gets sandwiches for lunch here, so I decided to check out what ready-made meals they had available. (If my friend hadn't mentioned the sandwiches here, I'd have thought this place simply an upscale butcher/meat shop TBH).
Just...wow. The store interior is sharp, modern, with a New York feel (clean white and black palette, open, contemporary deli-aesthetic). I was immediately drawn to the display at the front containing sewers of chicken in delicious-looking sauces and meat ribs in barbecue sauces and other dishes one can purchase and cook in one's homes. Everything looked super fresh and delicious and, yes, homemade.
Then I went to the shelves along the wall containing the sandwiches. I was so impressed by the assortment of super-stuffed sandwiches: brisket on rye, smoked turkey, roast beef.... all of which had pickles and gourmet condiments and were on fresh deli breads. Seriously, the kind you'd get in NYC (or any decent deli on the east coast. The kind that Vancouver is seriously lacking in). My kid and I grabbed a Montreal smoked meat sandwich on rye with fresh mustard. (The guy at the cash, who warmly greeted me when I came in and asked if I needed help finding anything, confirmed that this smoked meat indeed came from Montreal - the real deal, from Schwartz's! - and said he makes it a point to get all the meats and fish and most of the foodstuffs here domestically, from across Canada, only the best. I liked that). All sandwiches cost $14.99, so...not cheap. Bur fresh and good and super-stuffed (enough for at least 2 meals for me).
The shelves beyond the sandwiches were full of spreads and condiments and rubs and condiments from Canada. I was so happy to see Montreal represented with some Joe Beef rubs and other Montreal products (lox! from my fave Jewish delis back home!). Beautiful cheeses, the likes I've not seen before. Then we got to the seafoods of all sorts, and of course, meats of all sorts. I really liked how the folks behind the counter were really friendly and helpful and very knowledgeable about all the foods here: what would be best for whatever type of cook you are, how much to get for what your specific needs are, how to best store and cook it, etc. I would personally be very confident getting foods here as I feel I could trust these folks to help me out (and I'm not the best cook, between us!).
I wanted to get a gift for some neighbors who invited me to thier New Years Eve party, and I know these neighbors are real "foodies". I feel I stumbled upon the perfect place to get them a gift! The options were a-plenty here! First I had a beautiful small wheel of cheese and some gourmet fig jam in hand to get them, then I decided instead on a small tin of bougie caviar, then at the cash I saw this beautiful tall jar full of fancy chocolate-marshmallow concoctions which I thought looked very festive, and I settled on that (I had never seen this product before! Unique). So many choices.
I realize this is a long review, but it was important to note how this is NOT just a meat shop! It's the best foodie shop, with the most helpful staff! I really encourage you to check out this place if you're in the area!