Carnicero, A Butcher and Deli that is a Meat Lovers Paradise

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Two things have often surprised me when shopping to eat in other countries; meat and chocolate. Apparently with chocolate it’s down to bean choice and method but I’m convinced that something more sinister is going on. With meat it’s easier to see how different culinary cultures and tastes have led to different cuts and, importantly, aging time. The French nickname for the English, les rosbifs, is well earned and we are rightly famous for the quality of our beef and the way in which we age it and prepare it for sale. We haven’t, always, been famous for what happens to it in the kitchen but I hope that horrid misapprehension is changing now. So to English eyes, Greek beef butchery looked a little pink and young and I spent some time on the hunt for a place that had a broader approach to the chuck and the round but which doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Carnicero is a high-end butchery and delicatessen brand with several shops in and around Athens that takes responsible carnivorousness very seriously. The meat is responsibly sourced and they clearly differentiate between local and global products, meaning they support Greek agriculture while offering a range of products that are renowned for their quality. You can buy Japanese wagyu in a range of cuts although, as per usual with wagyu, you will need to bring your mortgage documents with you to afford it. They sell excellent cuts of Scottish Angus alongside American and Australian examples. The butchers that work the counter are well versed in the product and happy to chat through your picky requests (that might just apply to me). Carnicero has a well-stocked cheese counter and also carries all those tantalising little jars and bottles that I can’t resist. A small but well curated wine and beer selection mean you don’t have to go anywhere else when shopping for a small feast for meat lovers.