Sunday, October 18, 2015

Russ & Daughters: A Little Bissel of New York City History

Russ & Daughters Appetizers. Photo by Jeffrey Bary
Last year Russ & Daughters celebrated 100 years of supplying high-end smoked fish to its loyal customers. According to Condé Nast Traveler, visiting Russ & Daughters is one of 25 Things You Absolutely, Positively Have to Do in New York City.

Since last May there are now two ways to visit: either check out their shop at 179 East Houston Street, or go for a sit-down dining experience at the newly opened café at 127 Orchard Street.
At the shop customers can purchase fishy favorites such as caviar, smoked/cured salmon, herring and specialty smoked fish like sable and yellow fin tuna. They will deliver anywhere in NYC, and will ship their wares all over the United States.

There is a wonderful history behind the store which follows the path of the more general history of the Jewish experience immigrating to New York and contributing to the exciting development of the city. One tidbit of history is the fact that Russ & Daughters is said to be the first business to incorporate the word “daughters” into its title, in 1933, when it changed its name from J. Russ National Appetizing Store.

According to a New York Times review of the café:
“…Niki Russ Federman and her cousin Josh Russ Tupper, the fourth-generation owners of the family business, have added to, elaborated on and deviated from the store in ways that make the cafe a three-dimensional restaurant, not just a theme-park homage designed to cash in on the original’s popularity.”
See for yourself is this shop and sister restaurant, are not a microcosmic example of what makes New York City a fantastic place to visit.