By Emily Mathis

Special to amNewYork

With Lent fast approaching — it's less than a week away — the devout have several fish-full days ahead of them. We’ve arranged some top city seafood joints, from established favorites to those just breaking in.

Atlantic Grill

1341 Third Avenue at 77th Street, 212-988-9200

Last year Zagat voted Blue Water Grill’s Upper East Side cousin one of New York’s top 50 restaurants. Indulge in such favorites as the Maryland Crab Cake with Grilled Corn Salsa topped with Chipotle Remoulade.Aquagrill

210 Spring Street at Sixth Avenue, 212-274-0505

Since opening in 1996, this chic but friendly Soho raw bar/seafood restaurant has earned nine Best Of awards, including the Village Voice’s Best Sluck & Slurp Oyster Bar and three Zagat Best Brunch awards.

Bluefin

1567 Broadway at 47th Street, 212-918-1400

The experience at Bluefin is multi-sensory. Located in the Times Square W Hotel, the restaurant offers great seafood and views (not to mention a floating staircase).

Blue Water Grill

31 Union Square W. at 16th Street, 212-675-9500

Unique creations such as a Lobster Salad Sliders with Avocado, Tomato, Arugula and Applewood Bacon made this Union Square establishment the golden child of the 2008 Zagat survey – where it was voted the 11th most popular New York restaurant and praised as one that never disappoints (especially for dates).

BLT Fish

21 W. 17th Street btwn Fifth and Sixth aves., 212-691-8888

The middle-child of the famous Bistro Laurent Tourondel lineage showcases the owner and executive chef’s true love: the sea. Located in a Flatiron townhouse, it offers a New England-style seafood shack downstairs and elegant dining room upstairs.

Esca

402 W. 43rd Street, btwn Ninth and Tenth aves., 212-564-7272

Another Italian hit from the famous duo who brought you Babo, Del Posto and Otto. This one offers a $75 tasting menu, including a sampling of the day’s raw seafood, a Sicilian style shark with cauliflower, and a selection of famous deserts.

Grand Central Oyster Bar

Grand Central Station 212-490-6650

Since 1913 this New York City landmark has delighted a vast clientele with their old New York feel right underneath the bustling Grand Central terminal. Their menu features some 20 daily catches and a raw bar.

The John Dory

85 10th Avenue, btwn 15th and 16th sts., 212-929-4948

The follow-up to West Village hot spot The Spotted Pig opened in November 2008 to rave reviews. It offers a 900-gallon fish tank, raw bar and late night menu from midnight to 2 a.m.

London Lennie’s

6388 Woodhaven Blvd., 718-894-8084

The chronically crowded mom n’ pop’s seafood mecca of Forest Hills offers a $25 3-course prixe-fixe deal Seafood on a String Monday-Thursday from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Le Bernardin

155 W. 51st Street, btwn Sixth and Seventh aves., 212-554-1515

Internationally known for serving the best seafood dishes New York has to offer, this 4-star restaurant consistently pleases. Forbes called it the gold standard of seafood.

The Mermaid Inn

96 Second Avenue, btwn 5th and 6th sts., 212-674-5870 568 (East Village) Amsterdam Ave btwn 87th and 88th sts. 212-799-7400 (Upper West Side)

More adventurous but equally as comforting as the common neighborhood joint, the Mermaid Inn serves extra-large scallops. Plus, this month’s Blue Plate special offers their famous lobster sandwich with a Blue Point beer for just $20.

Pearl Oyster Bar

18 Cornelia Street, 212-691-8211

This Greenwich Village staple is credited with bringing the lobster roll from New England to Manhattan some 13 years ago. A quaint, down-home feel with open kitchen and mostly bar seating, the menu changes daily so check the blackboard.