April 9, 2008

Meat and Greet

Let’s Meat on the Avenue Opens

The Europeans have it right in a lot of ways: midday siestas, medieval architecture, specialty gourmet shops.

It may be a while before sanctioned nap time happens around here, but you can get a taste of the Old World at Let’s Meat, a Euro-style butcher shop that opens in Alexandria tomorrow.

After selling meat in the UK and Down Under, owner Steve Gatward came stateside to go out on his own. Let’s Meat gets daily deliveries from regional producers (Amish sausages from Pennsylvania, anyone?). And Gatward is happy to oblige special requests (hungry for ostrich?) with a day’s notice and grind beef to order for burgers.

The store also stocks marinades, mustards, and sauces along with striped butchers’ aprons from England.

Go ahead and pair your feast with Napa’s best pinot.

At least we Americans got something right.

Let’s Meat on the Avenue, 2403 Mount Vernon Avenue, at Oxford Avenue, Alexandria (703-684-6328).