Garlic Crab a la Crustaceans
My birthday is coming up this weekend and I would love to have garlic crab. I considered Crustaceans (love their crab and garlic noodles), but I do not want to ask my friends to pay upwards of $60-$70 to celebrate my birthday (hey, we are in a recession!! I don't want to pay big bucks unnecessarily either!).
I have noticed that CH is not a big fan of Crustaceans. So. . .are there other restaurants in LA (or surrounding areas) that serve a similar style of garlic crab that is less expensive and tasty? Garlic noodles is a plus.
I appreciate any suggestions!!
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I love Crustacean too, special occasion place for me, gorgeous with those koi and glass floors. But, if you are willing to alter the menu a bit, I'd go to Favori out in Santa Ana. Both Vietnamese and French food, I always see parties there, their crispy baked catfish i(golden, yummy crunchy skin with peanuts and green onions on top) is delicious, order a couple for the group (comes with rice paper wrappers, green banana, daikon, carrots, lettuce and Vietnamese herb for stuffing), some avocado shakes and enjoy. I'm not sure if they have crab though. I hear the banana flambee is great too, looked like everyone was ordering them when I was there.
Just a less expensive yet still festive option for you to think about.
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They don't always have it, but Gingergrass does a version of this crab and it's in a great price range for an unimposing birthday dinner. I don't remember their reservation policy (if they have one). The last time I had the crab was 2 years ago and I remember it being good and the crab lovers I was with really liked it.
Good luck!
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Hershey Bomar
Apr 29, 2008 08:27 PM
I'll admit I didn't really read the posts -- I'm late. These two places serve garlic crabs of sorts and I liked them very much. Are they still around? Do they serve noodles? Look into his yourself.
Macau Street, 429 W. Garvey Ave., Monterey Park, (626) 288-3568. Open daily 11 a.m.–1 a.m. No alcohol. Takeout. Lot parking in rear. MC, V. Dinner for two, food only, $18–$28. Recommended dishes: house-special crab, roast squab, roast pig neck, egg tarts.
LITTLE TOKYO CRAB
delicious crab cooked four different ways. You can choose between Shabu-shabu style crab, spicy pepper crab, garlic butter crab, or plain steamed crab. They dishes come either small, medium or large, and the medium was plenty for two. We had the spicy pepper crab, which was as described--in a mildly hot and sweet pepper sauce. The crab comes pre-cracked on a big platter, with some seaweed salad & potato salad. You also get a small salad with an overly sweet dressing & some freshly boiled edamame to start. It was pretty messy but very fun eating.
They had a few other daily specials besides the crab 4 ways, such as eel & a little sashimi. And soft-shell crab.
Dinners cost $35 for two (or $50 for the shabu-shabu style crab).
Kanimura Crab Restaurant
456 E. Second Street (same mini-mall as Sushi Gen)
213-617-1008
Supposedly the restaurant serves only crab dishes in four different cooking styles. There is Japanese-style hot pot crab (kani nabe), Korean-style spicy crab, American-style garlic crab, and boiled crab. Also read good things about the steamed bread with kani miso (crab paste).
Kani Mura
456 E. 2nd St.
Los Angeles
(213) 617-1008.›5 Replies-
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re: SouthernFoodie08
Hershey Bomar
Apr 30, 2008 03:23 PM
Guess it's gone. I was referring to Kanimura (Crab Village).
I'm a big fan of the Boiling Crab and you can solve the waiting issue by getting it to go.
I had a birthday there and the bill for a group of 10 came to 22 bucks a head with beers. No one could believe it.
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ipsedixit
Apr 29, 2008 04:13 PM
Hold on here, SouthernFoodie08. Let's clear up a few things.
You've gotten lots of good recommendations -- Ondal 2 and Newport Seafood -- but if what you want is Crustacean's version of garlic crab none of the aforementioned places will suffice.
You see, both Ondal 2 and Newport Seafood prepare crab so that it tastes good. Contrast that with Crustacean, where they prepare the crab as if some mad scientist had surreptitiously removed all of your tastebuds while you were asleep.
In other words, there is NO other place in LA that can butcher (and I do mean "butcher" with the most negative of connotations) a crab like Crustacean can.
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Go to Newport Seafood (aka Tan Cang) in either Westminster, Rowland Heights or San Gabriel and get the House Special Crab. it will be the EXACT same dish, except that a whole crab will set you back only $20 or so instead of $50 (most people at this restaurant will be ordering the 5-lb lobsters in this style). they don't serve the "garlic noodles," but if you like Crustacean's shaking beef, then order the french style beef (aka bo luc lac) at Newport for an even better version.
Get there early, though. no reservations, cash only, and the places all fill up.
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Hi:
How about the Stinking Rose? Although I have never ordered it, but the times we have gone with friends, one couple always end up ordering the crab fest (full of garlic). They said it's really good. I think it's pricey but not as expensive as Crustaceans and unfortunately I don't recalled they don't have garlic noodles.
You might tried many of the seafood chinese restaurants. Most of them will make the stir-fry fresh crab with garlic and ginger.
