by Frances Madeson

Jeffrey Ruhalter

t 5:30 AM, while most of the Lower East Side is still tucked, safe and warm, in bed, Jeffrey “Your Personal Butcher” Ruhalter is up, prowling the stalls in the meat-packing district, thinking about your next meal.

“My business is feeding people,” he says with considerable pride. “I care about what my customers are putting in their mouths, and in the mouths of their children. My job, which I take very seriously, is to make sure it’s of the highest quality, at the best price.”

Jeffrey says he knows which are the honest vendors with the good product; he knows where they keep the freshest meat, and he’s there, cash in hand, to get the absolute best, daily.

After he’s made his purchases, he heads back for an elaborate morning cleanup of his shop, in the Essex Street Market, north of Delancey Street. When the market opens, at 8:00 AM, he’s there in a dress shirt, tie and suspenders, eager for your business—your personal business.

“Jeffrey, my boss is coming over for dinner, what should I serve?”

“Jeffrey, I’m having my first dinner party in my new apartment: I need something easy, but dazzling.”

“My in-laws are celebrating their 50th anniversary and I want it to be special.”

“I’m trying to make my boyfriend propose, what do you recommend?”

A favorite guest on an incredibly long list of television food shows, including PBS’s Daisy Cooks; the Food Network’s Bobby Flay and Al Roker; and channels 5, 11, 25, 44, and 69, Ruhalter is the consummate professional food advisor.

He provides his clients with a plan, then proceeds to filet, butterfly, de-bone, stuff the meat with gourmet ingredients, seasoned to the client’s palate, ties it – and provides cooking instructions.

His prices are by far lower than Citerella’s, or Whole Foods’, for the same Porterhouse steak, or rack of lamb, or Cornish hen, or pork loin, which those establishments buy from the same vendors as he. And Jeffrey delivers locally.

“Jeffrey, my baby won’t eat the store bought baby food, even the best brand. Will you grind something special for me?”

“Jeffrey, I have an old family recipe but I can’t find some of these ingredients, what can I substitute?”

“Jeffrey, my husband loves sausage, but he can’t have salt.”

“Jeffrey…!”

Jeffrey’s, 120 Essex Street in the Essex Market (bet. Delancey & Rivington) 8AM- 6PM, Mon-Sat. Deliveries: 212.475.6521 Fax: 212.420.1079 www.jeffreysonessex.com