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Westports Stiles Market is a chefs treasure trove. Tucked away in a modest strip mall at 1001 Post Road East, the co-op-style store is split in half but it actually houses three separate businesses. One entire side of the store is dedicated to a stellar deli and butcher shop where the sandwiches are hefty and the sausage is homemade (I highly recommend the cheese and parsley version). On the opposite side, under the same business umbrella, is a substantial fresh produce market offering a veritable garden of delights-of-the-season and additional items such as fresh baked bread and cookies, cheeses and other specialty items such as oils and canned goods.
At the back of the produce department is a separate, fresh flower concession. Two dozen roses here will cost you just $18 and prices are equally reasonable on other floral options which vary from week to week. Perched at the center of the store is an extraordinary seafood merchant. Superior Seafood is owned by Michael and Jessie Elsas, former 19-year proprietors of the Bonton Fish Market in Greenwich. They offer 30 different options for hand-selected fish and seafood and they hand cut all their filets in-house. In addition to their rainbow-hued case of sparkling, freshly caught items, they also offer seafood salads, stuffed clams and other prepared foods. When the soft shell crabs come in (stay tuned!), theirs are the most beautiful and theyll clean them for you on the spot.
For any fish the Elsas sell, theyre happy to provide you with an accompanying recipe idea and they add crushed ice when the weather gets warmer to ensure fresh transport for your purchase.
Stiles meats, cheese and produce are comparatively very reasonably priced, a bit of a Westport surprise. As for the fish counter, prices are competitive. But when it comes to fish, you get what you pay for and in this case, the product is, simply, superior.
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