West Village campers are exempt from making pinecone birdfeeders at Mary's Fish Camp and its Brooklyn outpost, but they may feel like they've taken a swimming test: The exceedingly fresh fish is full of the flavor of the ocean. Mary Redding, formerly of Pearl Oyster Bar, moved down the street in 2000 to found this casual, no-frills dining room. The space conjures the feel of the Florida coast, with a beachy, airy vibe and chalkboards announcing the temperature in Miami. But much of the menu nods to New England, with littleneck clams, Malpeque oysters and Maine lobster. Shellfish bouillabaisse and seasonally changing whole fish are among other simply prepared aquatic offerings. The main attraction that keeps locals lining up out the door, though, are the immense, messy lobster rolls.
"Although this tiny spinoff of Pearl Oyster Bar is crowded and uncomfortable, the simple, well prepared seafood dishes - like a rich, creamy lobster pot pie and salt shrimp eaten in the shell - keep the place humming."-
The New York Times "The food's just awfully good. The seafood soups and stews are uniformly nourishing, and the estimable lobster roll is so bulky (it's accompanied by a thatch of straw fries) it looks like it should be defused rather than eaten."-
New York magazine
"This tiny space has the fun, low-key feel of an informal coastal Florida seafood house, only without shrimp peelings on the floor."-
Time Out New York "Everything is good. Among the winners: salt-crusted shrimp, lobster roll, and whole fried red snapper. Prices are fair, and portions are big."
- NewsdayThe New York Times:Critics'Pick
New York magazine: ** (very good); Critics' Pick
Zagat 2012:25 food rating (very good to excellent)
Time Out New York: Critics' Pick
Beer and wine available. Serving lunch and dinner Mon-Sat. Closed Sun.
West Village campers are exempt from making pinecone birdfeeders at Mary's Fish Camp and its Brooklyn outpost, but they may feel like they've taken a swimming test: The exceedingly fresh fish is full of the flavor of the ocean. Mary Redding, formerly of Pearl Oyster Bar, moved down the street in 2000 to found this casual, no-frills dining room. The space conjures the feel of the Florida coast, with a beachy, airy vibe and chalkboards announcing the temperature in Miami. But much of the menu nods to New England, with littleneck clams, Malpeque oysters and Maine lobster. Shellfish bouillabaisse and seasonally changing whole fish are among other simply prepared aquatic offerings. The main attraction that keeps locals lining up out the door, though, are the immense, messy lobster rolls.
"Although this tiny spinoff of Pearl Oyster Bar is crowded and uncomfortable, the simple, well prepared seafood dishes - like a rich, creamy lobster pot pie and salt shrimp eaten in the shell - keep the place humming."-
The New York Times "The food's just awfully good. The seafood soups and stews are uniformly nourishing, and the estimable lobster roll is so bulky (it's accompanied by a thatch of straw fries) it looks like it should be defused rather than eaten."-
New York magazine
"This tiny space has the fun, low-key feel of an informal coastal Florida seafood house, only without shrimp peelings on the floor."-
Time Out New York "Everything is good. Among the winners: salt-crusted shrimp, lobster roll, and whole fried red snapper. Prices are fair, and portions are big."
- NewsdayThe New York Times:Critics'Pick
New York magazine: ** (very good); Critics' Pick
Zagat 2012:25 food rating (very good to excellent)
Time Out New York: Critics' Pick
Beer and wine available. Serving lunch and dinner Mon-Sat. Closed Sun.