Are you a fan of tender, buttery Italian dishes?
Have you ever tried beef carpaccio?
This raw meat delicacy has been around for decades, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that it gained popularity thanks to a bartender in Venice.
Today, beef carpaccio is a refined and succulent specialty that showcases the true flavor of the beef.
But where can you buy it?
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best places in the United States to order or eat out beef carpaccio.
So sit back, relax, and get ready to indulge in this delectable dish.
Where Can I Buy Beef Carpaccio?
If you’re looking to buy beef carpaccio, your best bet is to head to a high-end restaurant or specialty food store.
Many upscale restaurants offer beef carpaccio as an appetizer or main course, so it’s worth checking out the menus of Italian or steakhouse establishments in your area.
You can also try searching for specialty food stores that offer pre-packaged beef carpaccio. These stores often source their meat from high-quality suppliers and may even offer different variations of the dish, such as tuna or salmon carpaccio.
Another option is to order beef carpaccio online. Many gourmet food websites offer pre-sliced beef tenderloin that is ready to be served as carpaccio. Just be sure to check the shipping and handling fees, as well as the freshness of the product before making a purchase.
What Is Beef Carpaccio?
Beef carpaccio is a traditional Italian dish made from thinly sliced raw beef. It’s typically served as an appetizer or light lunch and is often drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice, along with a variety of other seasonings and garnishes like capers, arugula, or parmesan cheese.
The dish originated in Venice in the 1950s, where it was created by Giuseppe Cipriani for Countess Amalia Nani Mocenigo, who couldn’t eat cooked meat. The dish was named after the Venetian painter Vittore Carpaccio, whose paintings were often in tones of red and white that resembled the colors of the dish.
To make beef carpaccio, a beef tenderloin is typically used, and it’s important to ensure that the meat is fresh and of high quality. The tenderloin is sliced or pounded very thin, often using a meat mallet, and then arranged on a plate. The beef is then typically drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice, along with other seasonings and garnishes as desired.
While some people may be hesitant to try raw meat, beef carpaccio is considered a delicacy by many and is enjoyed around the world. If you’re interested in trying the dish for yourself, consider visiting an upscale restaurant or specialty food store that offers it on their menu or searching for pre-packaged options online.
The History Of Beef Carpaccio
Beef carpaccio is a dish that has a rich history dating back to the 1950s in Venice, Italy. It was invented by Giuseppe Cipriani, the founder of Harry’s Bar, who created the dish for one of his regular customers, Countess Amalia Nani Mocenigo. The countess’s doctor had advised her to avoid cooked meat, so Cipriani decided to create a dish of thinly sliced raw beef tenderloin for her. He added a cream-colored sauce made with mustard and Worcestershire sauce to make the dish more palatable.
Cipriani named the dish after the Venetian painter Vittore Carpaccio, who was famous for his use of red and white in his paintings. The deep red color of the raw beef reminded Cipriani of Carpaccio’s paintings, and thus the name “carpaccio” was born.
The dish quickly became popular in Venice and soon spread throughout Italy and beyond. Today, beef carpaccio is a staple on menus at high-end Italian and steakhouse restaurants around the world. It is typically served as an appetizer or main course, with thinly sliced beef tenderloin arranged on a plate and topped with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, shaved Parmesan cheese, and sometimes capers or arugula.
In addition to beef carpaccio, variations of the dish have been created using other types of meat or fish, such as salmon or tuna. These variations are also popular in high-end restaurants and specialty food stores.
How To Make Beef Carpaccio At Home
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try making beef carpaccio at home, it’s actually quite simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Freeze the beef tenderloin for about 2 hours until it’s firm but not rock solid.
2. Once the beef is firm, slice it very thinly against the grain and place the slices on chilled plates.
3. Top each serving with a handful of arugula and capers.
4. Drizzle with vinegar and olive oil and add a pinch of freshly cracked black pepper and sea salt.
5. Serve immediately.
If you want to take your homemade beef carpaccio to the next level, you can also add pickled shallots, anchovies, fennel, chives, and shaved Parmesan cheese as toppings.
To prepare the beef for carpaccio, place each slice between two layers of plastic wrap or parchment paper and gently pound it with a meat mallet until it’s paper-thin. Refrigerate the flattened slices for a few minutes until chilled before serving.
Remember to always use high-quality beef tenderloin and to handle it with care during preparation to ensure the best possible results.
Where To Find Beef Carpaccio In The United States
If you’re in the United States and looking to find beef carpaccio, there are many options available to you.
One option is to visit high-end restaurants that offer beef carpaccio on their menus. Many Italian or steakhouse establishments may have this dish available as an appetizer or main course. Be sure to check the menu before making a reservation to ensure they offer the dish.
Specialty food stores are another great option for finding beef carpaccio. These stores often source their meat from high-quality suppliers and may even offer different variations of the dish, such as tuna or salmon carpaccio. If you’re not sure where to start, try searching for gourmet food stores in your area or checking online for specialty food retailers.
If you prefer the convenience of ordering online, many gourmet food websites offer pre-sliced beef tenderloin that is ready to be served as carpaccio. Just be sure to check the shipping and handling fees, as well as the freshness of the product before making a purchase.
Finally, you can also consider making your own beef carpaccio at home using high-quality beef. While it may take some practice to slice the meat thinly enough, it can be a fun and rewarding experience to create your own dish from scratch. Just be sure to use fresh and high-quality ingredients for the best results.
The Best Restaurants For Beef Carpaccio In New York City
New York City is known for its diverse culinary scene, and beef carpaccio is no exception. Here are some of the best restaurants in the city that offer this classic Italian dish:
1. Carbone – This Italian-American restaurant in Greenwich Village is known for its old-school vibe and classic dishes. Their beef carpaccio is thinly sliced and served with arugula, Parmesan cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil.
2. L’Artusi – Located in the West Village, L’Artusi offers modern Italian cuisine with a focus on fresh ingredients. Their beef carpaccio is made with grass-fed beef and served with pickled mushrooms and truffle aioli.
3. Quality Meats – This Midtown steakhouse offers a unique take on beef carpaccio, using wagyu beef instead of traditional tenderloin. It’s served with crispy shallots, capers, and a mustard vinaigrette.
4. Il Buco Alimentari e Vineria – This rustic Italian restaurant in NoHo offers a variety of house-made charcuterie, including their beef carpaccio. It’s served with shaved Parmesan, lemon, and extra-virgin olive oil.
5. Marea – If you’re looking for a seafood twist on carpaccio, head to Marea in Midtown. Their tuna carpaccio is thinly sliced and served with avocado, pickled red onion, and citrus vinaigrette.
Whether you’re in the mood for a classic preparation or a modern twist, these restaurants offer some of the best beef carpaccio in New York City.
Beef Carpaccio Delivery Services And Online Retailers
If you’re unable to find a local restaurant or specialty food store that offers beef carpaccio, there are several online retailers that can deliver it straight to your doorstep.
One such retailer is La Carpaccieria, located in Miami, Florida. They offer delivery services through Postmates and have a menu that includes their popular beef carpaccio, as well as other variations like mixed carpaccio and capreccio. Delivery fees vary depending on your location, but you can always sign up for Postmates Unlimited to get free delivery.
If you’re looking for pre-packaged beef carpaccio, there are several online gourmet food retailers to choose from. D’Artagnan offers pre-sliced beef tenderloin that is ready to be served as carpaccio, as well as other high-quality meats and specialty foods. Another option is Goldbelly, which partners with famous restaurants and food purveyors across the country to offer their products for nationwide delivery.
When ordering beef carpaccio online, it’s important to consider the freshness of the product and the shipping and handling fees. Look for retailers that offer overnight or two-day shipping to ensure that your product arrives fresh and ready to be enjoyed.
