Soft Shell Crab in Brooklyn?
I recently read that due to global warming, soft shell crab season is upon us a tad early. Does any one have recommendations for resto's or hole in the walls in Brooklyn that make fresh, delicious and affordable soft shell crabs? We have a car and can drive out to whatever place has the best soft shell crabs.
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livetotravel
Jun 2, 2007 05:56 PM
Tempo in PS has them and they are plate licking wonderful!
The reason soft shell crabs are everywhere right now is that this is the season!
The soft-shell is the blue crab in its molted state. The molting process means an abundant supply of soft crabs from late spring to early fall, with May through September ranking as the most productive months. They are available frozen year round.
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re: livetotravel
Thanks for the heads up on Tempo. We haven't been there since April, but will definitely go back very soon.
I think there is also an increased demand fro SSC.
When I was a child, Mom would order these strange looking things at Armando's or Lundy's. Hardly anyone else did. I would try a crispy crunchy leg, but didn'r dare go further.
Now, people's tastes have gotten more adventurous, and more and more people are eating SSC.
We spent a month (August) last year, and had SSC all the time. Plentiful, delicious, and fairly cheap, because they are local.
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re: livetotravel
I also went to Tempo last night and ordered the soft shells. They were delicious and the chef really understands levels of flavor and texture. A perfectly cooked crab crispy outside and juicy on the inside, served on top of smashed herb potatoes, a charred yellow tomato vinaigrette. "very unique" You can taste flavors of basil, capers, olive oil, a suttle spicyness and that delicious smoked taste from the charred tomato. Well done!
Just over the Manhattan bridge in chinatown at "New York Noodle Town". Serving simply fried with thinly sliced jalapenos that are addicting. Last season they were about $15 per order for 2 crabs.
Another favorite of mine is a beer battered fried crab on a soft toasted bun, w/ remoulade sauce or a russian type dressing with cole slaw. Real street food style. Let me know of any place doing something like that.
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Brooklyn Heights seems to have gone Soft Shell Crab Crazy! They are everywhere.
We went to dinner with friends and had them at Le Petit Marche. Deliciously prepared.
As we walked up Henry Street we noticed that Fortune House has SSC as a special for $12.99.
Will Fascati chime in with SSC Pizza?
My overall verdict is that Armando's wins first prize for their SSC.
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re: josh L
yep, took that advice tonight and went to Petite Crevette for the SSC's...actually it was our first time there (at this location--we'd been many times when on Atlantic Ave and even in its very short-lived tenure on 7th Ave.) What a cute place! And the crabs were great...perfectly fried and oh so big and juicey. Also to be recommended, the Corn Crab chowder--a bowl big enough for two and delicious.
The only downside...the back room was stifling hot tonight...no fan and the tiny a/c couldn't handle it. I think they need to put a fan back there.
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chompchomp
May 31, 2007 09:00 AM
My fiancee got them at Chai in Williamsburg at North 6th and Berry. They were prepared Thai style with chili and basil. Truly divine, and only $14!
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Poindexter
May 31, 2007 05:42 AM
Nana in the Slope usually has 'em--a nice Vietnamese-inflected version--and for le$$ than many of the responses so far.
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All this talk about Soft Shell Crabs made my mouth water for more.
We had dinner at ARMANDO'S on Montague Street with friends, and all four of us had the SSC.
Absolutely delicious. Two huge crabs, we had the Deep Fried, crunchy, juicy, and wonderful, and our friends had the SSC sauteed a la Meuniere . Really, as wonderful as the SSC we had in Baltimore.
The rest of the dinner was fine too. Fresh House Salad, the SSC, and two desserts. Two bottles of wine. Our food bill was only around $100 for four before tax and tip and wine.
SSC lovers out there, try ARMANDO'S . An old time favorite that is often overlooked.
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Soft Shell Crab season always begins in May.
We has absolutely scrumptious, meaty, crispy SSC appetizers at Noodle Pudding. Next time I will order them as my main dish.
The SSC at Henry's End were great as well. If you go when they are not too crowded and rushed, they will deep fry them for you.
Armando's had some delicious SSC last year, must try again.
And then there is always Randazzo's in Sheepshead Bay.
If you have a car, and want to drive, take a trip down to Baltimore in July or August. The SSC are plentiful, and really cheap. We were there for a month last year, and had our fill. Well worth the trip.
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Steve R
May 29, 2007 02:18 PM
Had them twice at Henry's End already. Once with mango salsa with a kick and the other time with basil garlic butter. Great stuff but this'll cost you mid- $20s for an entree. I'm assuming that Chestnut probably has put them back on as an appetizer (soft shell tacos... they're great) by now, but I think I'll go do some "research" tonite to make sure.
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re: Steve R
Steve R
May 29, 2007 06:00 PM
Research completed. Ate a great dinner at Chestnut tonite but missed the soft shell tacos by one day. Daniel says that they're on the menu as of tomorrow (Wednesday) night. Rhubarb sorbet and orange gelato (house made) for dessert almost made up for it.
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