Week of january 9, 2023 Small World Seafood Update
Hello everybody!!
You know, one of things I love about our community is the interconnectedness that exists. Or the possibility of that. We all often say that this city is 'small' in that way. Sometimes it is something to complain about since dish can race pretty quickly through this town. Too small!! hahahaha...
But on the beautiful side of things, I like to pay attention to the positive connections. For example, I am your fish guy and you are all connected to us and each other now by this one degree of separation. But more than that, some of you are the doctors, the accountants, the stylists, the teachers, the lawyers, the babysitters, the fitness trainers, the neighbors, the friends to us and to others around you. You provide service that binds out community and supports it and cares about it and loves it.
I often try to walk down the street trying to imagine what magical bonds may exist between me and a total stranger walking by. Maybe they are not such a total stranger. Maybe they connected in some way. Maybe we should be. Maybe I simply haven't DISCOVERED the bond that already exists and my eyes can't see it.....yet....
One bond that was revealed to me anew this past weekend came from a few of you angels whispering it to me. This past weekend, Greg Moore from Moore Brothers Wines in Pennsauken, NJ wrote a newsletter praising Small World. He is a regular customer and has been since the start and an absolute gentleman. If you are into wine, that's where you should go. Greg has always been an inspiration to me. Especially when in a previous life, I was a wine director and purchaser. His company and approach to educating people about wine and, above all, demystifying it and making it accessible has served as a model for many things I have done in the past and for this very business as well, as a matter of fact, you could say his fingerprint is there too. He is a pioneer in bringing great products from small family owned businesses to us and does it with the belief that doing the right thing and caring comes first. And he lives in Fitler Square so he is a neighbor of us all. What a great contibutor to our community. He has made Philly better. Bravo and thank you.
Anyway, onto some of the fish stuff. This week, we will be looking to whaat has become a favorite of many. Black Seabass fillet!! Black bass is a wild fish that is also in the stage of feeding and resting and fattening up before it begins its migration north in a few months. Therefore, fattier, meatier, more flavorful and cheaper than you will find it in summer months..Win, win!!!
One the downer news side of things, salmon prices have shot up pretty sharply. China is in the midst of Lunar New Year celebration season and gobbling up all the salmon they can get...literally..So supply is tight pushing up prices..I've been resisting raising prices on it but I have to now. Not by much. I am trying to hold the line on this one.
We have beautiful hokkaido scallops this week once again. Sushi grade and sear up beautifully. Littleneck clams are the shellfish of the week. Black Magic oysters are also on tap.
We got another shot of Aaji's garlic tomato lonsa and spicy tomato lonsa for you all. Another great product brought to you by a member of our community in Fairmount. What a great product to have with fish, littleneck clams or with some labneh..trust me on that one..
On the frozen side of things, we blast froze a bunch of branzino this past week to give you all something you can break out whenever. EIther butterflied head off or whole and scaled and gutted. Also, we are bringing in some beautiful frozen grouper fillets that we sampled and adored. Skinless, boneless and chem free. Each fillet runs around 6-8oz each and is vac packed individually. We haven't seen much grouper in these parts because the cost has been stratospheric but this is a great product for a great price..
Yes on blast frozen lobster meat. Yes on crab meat. Marinated seafood mix will be back on the list and you can never get enough fish cakes..love those things.
Well, that's it for today. Thank you all for being who you are. I know, I know, lots of words. But, hey, lots of info too, no?
Peace
Robert Amar
Small World Seafood
Owner