Looking for Fresh, High-Quality Food? Here’s Our Honest Review of Citarella

When it comes to high-quality, gourmet food, few places inspire as much excitement as Citarella. From fresh seafood to premium cuts of meat, Citarella is known for offering the finest ingredients to take your meals to the next level. But does the brand truly deliver on its promise of exceptional quality? We set out to explore the best of what Citarella has to offer and to see if this famed New York-based gourmet market is worth the hype. Let’s dig in!

What Is Citarella and Why Should You Care?

Founded in 1912, Citarella is an iconic gourmet market with a reputation for offering some of the freshest, highest-quality foods you can find in New York. Known for its premium seafood, meats, and gourmet grocery items, Citarella prides itself on hand-selecting the best ingredients for both professional chefs and home cooks alike. Their goal? To elevate everyday meals into something extraordinary.

Citarella’s products range from fresh fish and butchered meats to prepared foods, artisanal cheeses, and specialty pantry items. They even offer seasonal delicacies and expertly curated gift baskets. With both physical stores and an online marketplace, Citarella caters to food lovers near and far.

But how does Citarella stack up in terms of quality, variety, and overall experience? Let’s take a look at some of the products we tested.

Our Experience with Citarella: What We Loved

We sampled several of Citarella’s most popular items to see if the brand’s reputation for gourmet excellence holds up. Here’s a breakdown of what we tried:

Fresh Seafood: Wild-Caught Salmon and Lobster Tails

Citarella’s seafood selection is one of their standout offerings, and we had to test their famed wild-caught salmon and lobster tails. Both arrived fresh, perfectly packaged, and as soon as we opened the packaging, we could tell the difference in quality.

The wild-caught salmon was beautifully rich in flavor, tender, and had that perfect buttery texture. We grilled it with just a touch of olive oil and lemon, and it truly felt like a restaurant-quality meal at home. The lobster tails were also exceptional—sweet, succulent, and easy to cook, making them the ideal choice for a special dinner.

Pros: Incredibly fresh, full of flavor, restaurant-quality ingredients.
Cons: Seafood is priced at a premium, but you’re paying for quality.

Prime Dry-Aged Beef: Ribeye Steak

Next up, we couldn’t resist trying Citarella’s prime dry-aged ribeye steak. We love a good steak night, and this cut did not disappoint. The marbling on the steak was beautiful, and after searing it in a cast iron pan, the result was a juicy, flavorful steak with a deliciously crispy crust.

What sets Citarella’s meat apart is the dry-aging process, which enhances the beef’s natural flavor and tenderness. You could easily taste the difference compared to regular supermarket steaks.

Pros: Rich, intense flavor, tender texture, perfect for special occasions.
Cons: Dry-aged beef is more expensive, but for steak lovers, it’s worth the splurge.

Artisanal Cheese and Charcuterie

For our next test, we tried out Citarella’s artisanal cheese and charcuterie selection. We were impressed by the variety—everything from creamy Brie de Meaux to bold, nutty Manchego. Paired with prosciutto and chorizo from their charcuterie lineup, it made for a perfect weekend charcuterie board.

The quality of the cheeses and meats was excellent, and Citarella’s selection made it easy to put together a board that felt indulgent and well-balanced.

Pros: Wide variety of artisanal cheeses and high-quality charcuterie.
Cons: None! Perfect for cheese and charcuterie lovers.

Prepared Foods: Roasted Vegetables and Marinated Olives

For a quick and easy side, we tried Citarella’s prepared roasted vegetables and marinated olives. The roasted vegetables were a colorful mix of carrots, zucchini, and bell peppers, lightly seasoned and roasted to perfection. The marinated olives added a Mediterranean touch, with their tangy, briny flavors complementing the rest of the meal beautifully.

Citarella’s prepared foods are ideal for those nights when you want gourmet flavors without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s also great for last-minute entertaining.

Pros: Ready-to-eat, high-quality ingredients, perfect for easy meals.
Cons: Some prepared items are priced higher than making them at home, but the convenience is worth it.

Why Choose Citarella for Your Gourmet Groceries?

Here are some key reasons to love Citarella:

• Top-Notch Quality: Citarella’s hand-selected seafood, meats, and gourmet ingredients truly shine in terms of freshness and flavor. If you’re someone who values high-quality ingredients, you’ll be thrilled with what Citarella has to offer.
• Wide Selection: Citarella offers something for everyone, whether you’re looking for fresh seafood, prime cuts of meat, artisanal cheeses, or even prepared foods. Their variety ensures you’ll find exactly what you need to elevate any meal.
• Convenience of Online Ordering: Even if you’re not in New York, Citarella’s online marketplace makes it easy to get gourmet food delivered right to your door. From seafood to gift baskets, everything is shipped fresh and securely packaged.
• Great for Special Occasions: Whether you’re planning a fancy dinner party or treating yourself to a premium cut of steak, Citarella’s products are perfect for special occasions when only the best will do.
• Gourmet Gifts: Citarella offers curated gift baskets featuring gourmet items like charcuterie, wine, and chocolates. These make thoughtful gifts for the food lovers in your life.

Are There Any Downsides to Citarella?

While we’re big fans of Citarella, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Pricing: Citarella is definitely a premium brand, and its prices reflect that. While the quality justifies the cost, this isn’t the place for bargain shopping. It’s a splurge-worthy treat, ideal for special occasions or when you want to impress with top-tier ingredients.
• Limited Nationwide Availability: While Citarella does ship many items nationwide, certain fresh products like seafood may not be available for delivery in all areas. Be sure to check their shipping details based on your location.
• Portion Sizes: Some of the prepared foods come in smaller portions, so if you’re serving a crowd, you may need to order more than you initially expect.

Would We Recommend Citarella? Our Final Verdict

So, would we recommend Citarella? Absolutely! For anyone who loves cooking with premium ingredients, Citarella offers some of the best products on the market. Whether you’re preparing a casual weeknight meal or planning a luxurious dinner party, Citarella’s fresh seafood, meats, and gourmet groceries are sure to impress.

We particularly recommend Citarella for special occasions or when you’re looking to treat yourself to restaurant-quality food at home. The convenience of online shopping, paired with the brand’s commitment to quality, makes it a standout in the world of gourmet food markets. While it may not be your everyday grocery stop due to pricing, it’s perfect for those times when only the best will do.

FAQs About Citarella and Its Products

Q: Does Citarella ship nationwide?
A: Yes! Citarella ships many of their gourmet products nationwide, though some fresh items like seafood may have limited availability based on location.

Q: Can I order prepared foods from Citarella?
A: Yes, Citarella offers a range of prepared foods like roasted vegetables, marinated olives, and more, perfect for those looking for gourmet meals without the hassle of cooking.

Q: What makes Citarella’s seafood so special?
A: Citarella is known for its fresh, hand-selected seafood, sourced directly from trusted suppliers. The quality and freshness set it apart from standard grocery store offerings.

Q: Does Citarella offer gift options?
A: Yes, Citarella offers gourmet gift baskets that include everything from artisanal cheeses to charcuterie and wine, making them perfect gifts for food lovers.

Q: How does Citarella’s pricing compare to other gourmet markets?
A: Citarella’s prices are on the premium side, but they reflect the high quality of the products. It’s a great option for those looking to splurge on top-tier ingredients.

Our Final Thoughts on Citarella

In conclusion, Citarella is a must-visit (or must-shop) for anyone passionate about gourmet food. With its outstanding selection of premium seafood, meats, cheeses, and prepared foods, Citarella makes it easy to bring restaurant-quality meals into your home. Whether you’re indulging in a steak dinner or prepping for a special celebration, Citarella delivers on flavor, freshness, and quality. It’s not the cheapest option, but for those special moments, it’s definitely worth it.