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Where to get a great fish

Linda Perney

August 29, 2006

King Crab legs on the raw bar at BLT Fish (handout)

Where do you get a great fish? There are, of course, the iconic lobster roll places -- like Mary's or Pearl -- but there's a slew of other fish places. Here are some of our favorites.

MANHATTAN

Fresh. The raw bar, as you might expect at a place called Fresh, is just fine. But among the starters, there are a few things not to miss: Ipswich fried clams, gazpacho with mussels. You like crabcakes? There's a small plate that features two of them: Maine blue and peekytoe. For mains, there are daily specials like pistachio-crusted halibut with peekytoe crab or Thai spiced shellfish stew in a coconut broth. All served in an airy, open space in the heart of Tribeca. (105 Reade Street; 212-406-1900. Expect to pay between $45 and $75 for a three-course dinner)

Ditch Plains. Landmarc's Marc Murphy has opened up this simple restaurant in the West Village. Don't be deceived by the word "simple" though. the place has smarts enough for anybody. The aesthetic is chic and sleek: cool steel walls and wooden countertops. Another smart thing: It's open till 2 am.There are grilled fish, a raw bar, calamari salad, and, of course, a lobster roll. If you're looking for something besides all that fish, try the chicken pot pie. (29 Bedford Street; 212-633-0202. Expect to pay between $30 and $50 at dinner)

Mermaid Inn. They say it's supposed to remind you of someplace in New England, but there's a definite New York vibe here. Sleek and sexy, the Mermaid, from the same group that owns the Harrison and the Red Cat, opened a few summers ago, but it's settled into the neighborhood comfortably. On a nice evening, the garden is a great place to eat; but if it's crowded, there's nothing wrong with sitting at the bar. We like the crab cocktail and the lobster sandwich the most, but the oysters are excellent, and there are plenty of folks who swear by the spaghetti. (96 Second Avenue; 212-674-5870. Expect to pay between $30 and $40 for dinner. Dessert -- a one-choice-fits-all chocolate pudding -- is free)

Blue Ribbon The salt and pepper shrimp served up by the brothers Bromberg has practically become a city tradition -- that is, if you can pass up the raw bar. Paella Basquez is a winner, too, crammed with mussels, clams, shrimp and spicy sausage (you want lobster with that? go for the royale). What makes it all perfect is they're open late. (97 Sullivan Street; 212-274-0404. Expect to pay between $35 and $55 for a three-course dinner)

BLT Fish.Laurent Tourondel presides over his version of a fish house at the appropropriately named BLT Fish Shack on the first floor at BLT Fish. We like the chowder and the lobster roll, but then again, we never can resist them. (21 West 17th Street; 212-691-8888. Expect to pay between $30 and $50 for three courses)

Fish. This small place on Bleecker Street attracts a knowing crowd for lunch; the even more knowing crowd stops by at Happy Hour (or, shall we say, hours -- noon to 7 pm), when the merlot and chardonnay go for four bucks a glass, and there are $2.50 draft beers. There are a few ways to eat a lobster: the Cobb salad comes with it and shrimp along with the traditional avocado and bacon; there's a sinful mac and cheese with lobster, lobster rolls, and lobster pie. If you're partial to fried fish -- there are fthe Ipswich clams and the fish and chips.(280 Bleecker Street; 212-727-2879. Expect to pay between $30 and $65 for three courses)

BROOKLYN

Clemente's Maryland Crabhouse. Bring an appetite. The all-you-can-eat Maryland blue crab special comes with corn on the cob and fries for $29.95. Don't want crab? There's the raw bar. There are also lobsters, and just about any other fishy thing you can think of, not to mention steaks and burgers. (3939 Emmons Avenue; 718-646-7373; expect to pay between $30 and $60 for a three-course dinner.)