STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Seafood delights year round, although Lent is the time where readers annually seek the very best.
How can you find a great fish shop? For one thing, the store should not smell like ammonia or have a funky fish aroma. Also, upon request the fishmonger should present an item up close to the customer for inspection. A whole fish in its prime will have clear eyes, a springy flesh and smell like the sea.
Here are my top picks (ranked) for best dedicated fish markets in the borough.
11.) Fish Market Ary — 81 Brook St., New Brighton, 347-466-4683
A fairly new neighborhood place that has picked up some of the former Castleton Avenue Boston Market regulars from way back when. Inventory is basic and fresh — Cleaned shrimp, fillet, clams, oysters and some frozen fish available in modest supply. Note that prices are not posted.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
10.) Manuel Fish Market — 1369 Forest Ave., Port Richmond; 718-301-8229
Formerly known as the stalwart Verrazano Seafood under a former owner, this has become a good utilitarian market with whole fish and a shucker on duty.
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily
9.) Lobster House Joe’s — 1898 Hylan Blvd., Dongan Hills; 718-667-0003 and 4707 Arthur Kill Rd., Charleston; 718-227-0003; Lobsterhousesi.com
The Dongan Hills location, the original, has a small display case. The restaurant offers a sit-down dining area and clam bar for on-premise consumption.
Both are excellent lobster and shrimp sources with crustaceans sold fresh or steamed.
The Charleston spot keeps the fish in the kitchen with uncooked items like shrimp, scallops, fillet and lobsters sold by request. All menu items are available to go, prepped by the chef.
Hours: Both are open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; Friday and Saturday til 11 p.m.
8.) Sea Breeze at Top Tomato — 1071 Bay St., Rosebank; 718-981-8571 or Top Tomato’s main number at 718-816-1100
Seafood is presented whole and filleted, varietals that appeal to many cultural backgrounds and palates. For those who make fish stock from scratch, this is concession is a rich resource. Also enjoy some of the heat-and-serve preparations along with a few prepped salads.
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-ish to 7 p.m.-ish daily
7.) Fisherman’s Cove at Met Foods — 1177 Hylan Blvd,, Grasmere; 718-720-5800
Small counter with a modest but premium selection of salmon, flounder, shrimp, scallops plus consistent seafood salad and heat-and-serve selections. Knowledgeable fishmongers on duty can shuck clams and oyster, give basic tips on food prep.
Hours: Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
6.) Sea Breeze at Met Foods — 1795 Victory Blvd., Castleton Corners; 718-524-0800
A respectable variety of fresh selections with Met’s impressive condiment section nearby the fish counter to put home creations over the top.
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
5.) Rossville Fish Market — 655 Rossville Ave., Rossville; 718-317-6947
For fillet, as opposed to the whole fish, find mostly salmon, sole varieties, halibut, tuna, Branzino, swordfish, basa and occasional whiting in the inventory. Also, expect the staples like shrimp, mussels and clams.
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
4.) La Bella Marketplace — 99 Ellis St., Tottenville; 718-967-2070, (Press 2, then 3) Labellamarkets.com
Carve out a chunk of time to peruse the Italian superstore’s fish department with its vast inventory. Find the frequent presence of delicacies like fresh conch and sea urchin, the latter which can be used to make pasta.
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
3.) Belfiore Altlantic Fishery and Produce — 2500 Victory Blvd., Willowbrook; 718-477-1041
One of the borough’s newest fish shops, it features a classy set up where the freshness on display speaks for itself. Locally caught fish from Atlantic Highlands can be turned into lovely prepared items — blackened, fried, stuffed and/or served as a to-go meal with a side like mashed potatoes.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except Sunday when closing is at 3 p.m.
2.) Octopus Garden — 15 Newark Ave., Elm Park; 718-946-1100, Facebook.com/Octopus-Garden
As the name suggests, here lies an eight-legged epicenter with calamaretti from Spain to red prawns called Carabineros. Plus find other great fish — local catches like skate and, when in season, blackfish, sea bass and porgies. Between frozen and fresh fish, plus snails — and tenderized, already prepped octopus in a variety of sizes — the store offers a great school for fish.
Hours: Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed Sunday
1.) Carlos Fish Market — 3852 Richmond Ave., Eltingville, 718-967-5758
Courtesy of the Yoon family, shrimp are cleaned and clams shucked, no extra charge. A beautiful inventory includes live Maine lobsters, lobster tails, snow crab legs, Alaskan King crab legs and, when in season, live blue crabs.
Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday closed
Pamela Silvestri is Advance Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.
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