Follow the Butchers
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
I’ve recently started following L.A.’s artisanal butcher shops on Twitter, a brilliant use of the social media for the home cook.
If I open my Twitter account, between tweets on the developing Syria crisis, José Andres’ travels in Spain, Scrivener and iA Writer updates, and our own Food section’s tweets, McCall’s Meat & Fish Co. notes they’ve got in “Wild Black Grouper, Skate Wing, Black Cod, Salmon, Tuna, Scallops, Halibut, Black Bass, Branzino, Clams, Mussels.’ Not to mention Berkshire pork and fresh calves’ liver. I read the post and my mind instantly switches over to planning the weekend’s menu.
Amelia Posada and Erika Nakamura, the two women behind Lindy & Grundy Meats have used social media to churn up a frenzy of anticipation for their new Fairfax Avenue butcher shop. Via Twitter, they might report that the butcher case is now stocked with “beef & bacon grind, rack of lamb, lamb loin chops, pork chops, fresh chickens, bone marrow, sirloin tip steaks, london broil, rancher steaks” or “fresh Mexican chorizo and have just made a batch of espresso chili with marrow.”
Then comes a flash from Grindhaus, the little sausage shop that could, trumpeting “Spicy Beef w/Garlic, Bratwurst, Kielbasa, Pork w/Grn Chilis, Spicy Italian, Wild Boar, Chkn Chorizo.’
By the time I get to the farmers market, I’ve already got a main course in mind and can build my shopping around it. Sweet.
To note: Both butcher shops and sausage shop are open Sundays.
McCall’s Meat & Fish Co., 2117 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles; (323) 667-0674; www.mccallsmeatandfish.com. Twitter handle @mccallsmandf
Lindy & Grundy, 801 N. Fairfax Avenue (at Waring), Los Angeles; (323) 951-0804; www.lindyandgrundy.com. Twitter handle @LindyGrundy
Grindhaus, 5634 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; (610) 906-2677; www.GrindhausLA.com. Twitter handle @GrindhausLA.
ALSO:
The Sweet Tooth: Paso Almonds brittle
Guinness cupcake for Dad? Sugar Blossom Bake Shop has you covered
L.A. Times’ Battle of the Burgers: Vote, or the Godfather will break your legs
— S. Irene Virbila