Crab in Seattle

[epiccellars]

Hi,

My husband and I will be in Seattle this weekend for the first time. It's a work trip with lots of commitments, so we really only have one or two dinners to ourselves. We would love to get a great crab dinner while we're in town. Any recommendations for the best crab in town? It will be either Sunday or Monday night (I know it's not ideal, but it's what we have to work with). Doesn't have to be fancy or formal, casual works for us.

We'll be staying downtown, but can take public transport or a cab.

thanks!

[akq]

I've enjoyed my plain Dungeness crab with drawn butter at Salty's on Alki, and king crab legs at the Waterfront Seafood Grill (my fav!). Anthony's Sunday AYCE crab feed is hit or miss, with the chilled crab generally better (hot is often extremely overcooked). For other AYCE options, lots of the casinos in the area have seafood buffets that feature crab (EQC has one with four types of crab on saturdays, I think). They aren't great, but can hit the spot if you're in the mood for a crab chowdown.

[mrnelso]

I enjoy the sweet, delicate flavor of Dungeness crab all by itself, maybe dipped in melted butter with a little lemon. It's not that it isn't fabulous when treated to, for example Black Bean sauce, as at Seven Stars Pepper, but for me, the plainer the preperation, the better.
I suggest a stop at Jack's Fish Spot, at the Pike Place Market, where they will take a live crab out of the tank and quickly cook and crack it for you, You can eat right there, in their slightly grubby seating-area, or take it someplace where you can have that melted butter. I've never asked, but they might even fix you up with that at Jack's. For sure, talk with Jack about the crab and the season and the preparation.

[bluedog67]

I also recommend 7 stars but love the preparation at Flying Fish. It is an all around good restaurant and the crab dish is great. If you are looking for more atmoshpere, it is your best bet.

[Leper]

Mrnelso, Seven Stars does not use black beans in their crab, purely Szechuan. Ho Ho Seafood prepares an excellent crab with black bean sauce. (Never wear your good shirt when you order this dish.)

[christy319]

They have both--Szechuan and Black Bean and Ginger. Unless they've changed recently.

It's funny, people have asked this before and it doesn't seem like there are that many places to eat crab. Maybe because it's so much cheaper to eat it at home? I also like the Chinese preparations.

[equinoise]

I love the black bean sauce crab at Sea Garden in the ID; I really liked the Sichuan version at Szechuan Chef in Bellevue, but haven't had it in a while. Really want to try the pepper and dry curry crabs at Malay Satay Hut.

Where can one get a good Vietnamese crab preperation in SEA? J. Gold just responded to someone seeking Viet-style fried crab in the LA area, and I have a recipe for a beer-cooked blue crabs from Saveur that I haven't tried yet.

http://www.laweekly.com/2009-10-08/eat-drink/crustacean-frustration-whither-the-vietnamese-fried-crab/
http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes...

[christy319]

Green Leaf has crab but I've never had it. I'd love to hear if anyone has.

[bluedog67]

i agree i think it is the price tag. it is relatively affordable in the ID, but any of the 'seafood places' it is expensive! i can stop by wild salmon and serve 4 people for the cost of 1 person at chandlers. maybe most "nw" type restuarants are geared for tourists not locals (when it comes to crab)??

[Leper]

Seven Stars Pepper's Szechuan crab is amazing. The restaurant is located in the International District, a short cab ride. For a total crab feast, I suggest Seven Stars for lunch and Chandler's Crabhouse for dinner.

[HungWeiLo]

Since we're on the subject of crabs in Asian restaurants - we tried Top Gun in Bellevue the other day. As far as I know, they still have their king crab special at $12/lb (and lobster at $10/lb). We had a 4lb lobster that was steamed Cantonese style and it was very high quality. Their other non-seafood dishes at dinner time are only so-so.

I'm guessing the king crab would also be pretty decent.

[staffstuff]

I disagree with all the accolades given to Seven Stars Pepper's Szechuan crab. It is really NOT amazing or even close IMO...very peppery it is..to such an extent that it overpowers the real flavor and enjoyment of the crab. And the chinese 5-spice powder flavor in the crust is just ordinary...it's a spice mixture that they obviously have handy in their pantry....not much thought there! I much prefer the ginger-scallion crab at Uptown China on Queen Anne...and wholeheartedly recommend it...it's very fresh, succulent and well-balanced.....cooked with more artistry than 7 Stars Pepper....and for the high price of Dungeness crab in Seattle that's what I'd recommend.

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Uptown China Restaurant
200 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

[Leper]

Here is a clue:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Szechuan...