Actually started the morning at 99 Ranch Market, and was surprised to find parking right up front at 10am. Looked like people were getting a late start on this Memorial Day.
Ran in and checked out the Manila Clams, though many of the tanks were empty, there was still a good supply of clams. The placard noted that the clams were from Canada, and when I scooped a few out they "spit" water out at me, so I knew they were still alive. I ended up purchasing 2 1/2 lbs, and was on my way.......
On a whim I decided to grab a steak from Siesel's Meat off of Morena Blvd. I'd usually drive all the way to Iowa Meat Farms, but decided to stop by Siesel's. Over the past 6 months I've noticed alot of improvement in both the quality and variety of Siesels's offerings since the Cohn Group (who also run Iowa Meat) took over.
First off I noticed an abundance of USDA Prime cuts, and ended up getting a prime porterhouse, my favorite cut for pan frying (I'd decided to give my grill a rest). Though the cut was a bit thinner than I like at about an inch, this meant that I wouldn't need to finish in the oven as I would with a thicker cut. Well marbled and glistening this was one nice piece of meat. The steak came out to about 1.3 lbs - at $19.99/lb for prime porterhouse, not a bad deal.
On a whim I decided to check out the new Bay Park Fish Company, that has opened up next to Siesel's. I noticed that there was a fish case at the front of this little establishment of about 8 tables. Surprisingly, the fish looked really fresh, though very limited in variety. The Ahi from Hawaii looked very good, and brought back alot of memories for me, but I decided on a piece of Atlantic Salmon that looked very moist and fresh. We've been having a hard time finding really good fish here in San Diego, and often have to drive to LA to get what we want, ironic in that San Diego is surrounded by ocean! I've shopped at almost all the recommended places - Point Loma Seafood, The Fishery, etc...and have always been disappointed. So finding this little gem so close to home was very satisfying.
I was handed a menu flyer and will be trying out the restaurant soon. Looks like most of the items, except for the catch of the day is under $10, the smoked fish sandwich looks interesting.
So what did I do with this bounty?
The steak I simply seasoned with Ala'ea (Hawaiian Red Sea Salt), fresh ground pepper, granulated garlic, oregano, and XVOO. First seared on high heat, than cooked medium, this was wonderful! Very "beefy in flavor, almost like grass fed beef, the filet portion was fork tender - a great piece of meat. The Salmon was also seared over high heat and cooked to medium well. I seasoned the fish with a home made blackening rub. Delici-yoso!!!
Oh, and my "boyz' also enjoyed their share of this bounty.
Siesel's Meats
4131 Ashton Street
San Diego, CA 92109
Tel: (619) 275-1234
Bay Park Fish Co.
4121 Ashton St.
San Diego, CA 92110
Hey Kirk,
Nice looking steak there. I haven't grilled (or pan fried) any in a LONG time! I've been craving a nice rib eye though, so maybe I'll have to do it this weekend.
Cute dogs you got there! =)
Posted by: Reid | Thursday, 02 June 2005 at 02:07 AM
Reid - One of the benefits of the mainland are that good meat markets are available, and in most of them you can get prime. Fish markets are a whole nother story though!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 02 June 2005 at 07:50 AM
My wife and I plan to try Bay Park Fish Company tommorow night for dinner or Friday for lunch. We have had the same problem finding "American" fish in San Diego. We cook fish from 99 ranch market and love the Chinese Seafood houses on Convoy and we have some great Mexican seafood here in North County, but the Fishery, Point Loma, Pelly's, The Fish House Veracruz, and The Fish Market have all been very ordinary to downright awful. So we have great hopes for Bay Park.
Also, do you have an opinion on the Cajun Magnolia'a or Bud's?
Plus we are always on the lookout for real East Coast Fried Clams.
v
Posted by: Victor | Wednesday, 20 July 2005 at 10:23 PM
Victor - Welcome and thanks for posting. Bay Park Fish struck me as more of a neighborhood joint - but the fish being sold in the "cases" looked fresh and I've purchased fish there several times. Please report back on your meal.
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 20 July 2005 at 10:38 PM
Hi Kirk,
I just read your post on the BPFC restaurant and it made we want to go back and re-visit your post on its fish market. Typically getting my sashimi from Nijiya or Mitsuwa, I was wondering if Bay Park is the type of place from where I could score same sashimi grade fish. Where do you usually go?
Keep up the great work.
J.P.
Posted by: J.P. | Sunday, 23 July 2006 at 11:20 PM
Hi JP - My choice for good sashimi grade fish is Catalina Offshore:
http://www.catalinaop.com/
They are located near Morena Blvd. Really good stuff.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 24 July 2006 at 08:40 AM
Thanks Kirk. From the website, that looks like it'll hit the spot.
J.P.
Posted by: J.P. | Tuesday, 25 July 2006 at 10:59 PM
I gratefully stumbled upon your site, looking for images for a graduate project on information theory -- planning a visualization to influence people to shop on the edge aisles for good health, and steer relatively clear of the danger zones in the middle of the market. Are you ok with me using some of your market shots for grad school post only?
>>You've got me hooked on your foodiness -- will be back for fun browsing. thx -~P
Posted by: Hi Kirk, | Tuesday, 14 November 2006 at 10:54 PM
Hi Whomever you are - I sent you an email reply. I hope you received it!
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 15 November 2006 at 06:41 PM