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After spending a day at Water Taxi Beach, we were looking for a proper meal for dinner. When we had entered Water Taxi Beach earlier, we had spotted the Waterfront Crab House -- after a day at the beach, a crab feast sounded like the perfect finish. And it was. Open since 1978, the Waterfront Crab House is housed in a landmark building built in 1881, and it was formerly a bustling hotel/bar. Much of the interior looks like it has been frozen in time -- some from the building's early days and some from the late 70's reincarnation -- but the decor didn't detract in the least from the pile of crustacean-y goodness we were about to attack.
Arriving late on a Sunday night meant that the Old Bay crabs were long gone -- we settled for a pile of garlic and herb crabs, grabbed a mallet and dove in. Despite the lack of Old Bay spiciness, the garlic crabs were delicious and meaty, but the crowd-pleaser that night was the plate of soft-shell crabs "a la greque." They weren't much to look at, but the combination of pan-fried sweet and tender soft-shells with a healthy dose of vinegary peppers was exceptional.
We ate outside at the very casual picnic tables, but could hear the strains of the Dixieland jazz playing inside, as it does every Sunday night. We even managed to catch the sunset peeking between the buildings. So the next time you're in the mood for a day at the beach without the beach, head out to Long Island City for some sun, sand and seafood.
Waterfront Crab House
2-03 Borden Ave.
Long Island City
(718) 729-4862
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I love Waterfront Crab House... good call, Gothamist. Beware of the bartenders, though -- they pour drinks the "old-fashioned" way: strong. I usually get too plastered to even finish my dinner.
One tip: they're not so great at properly steaming things like lobster and crab sometimes. I always stick with the chilled versions.
Crabhouse im my part of bklyn. Can pull right up on a boat.
I strongly dislike this place. The portions are way too big and they try to get off selling "Maryland-style" crabs boiled in butter, garlic, and parsley...served on a plate. Unless they changed their menu in the past 2 years, I won't go back.
How are they supposed to be served? In a paper bag?
Basically, yes. Steamed, with old bay-ish seasoning, served on brown paper. You smack 'em with mallets. It's very messy eating. yum
I have been here six or seven times. It's a fun place to eat fried food. Has anyone ever had the Old Bay crabs? No? I don't think they actually have them. I have called and been promised them, arrived very early, and still they don't have them...and actually their crabs are a sad NY attempt.
I'm from the chesapeake area where crabs eating is a serious thing, and it's amazing to me that there's nowhere to get an Old Bay steamed crab in New York city. I have never had a good crab here. This is a city that orders somethhing on a sushi menu labeled "crab" and then is happily served mashed up fish paste painted red.
Ironically, many Del/Mar/VA crabs are now actually being shipped down from the Hudson because new yorkers don't like/don't understand/won't eat/can't even really pick it out of a crowd crab.
How disappointing to hear about the lack of Old Bay crabs in this area. My wife and I just got back from a trip to Baltimore, and I had a great dinner of six jumbo Old Bay crabs this past Friday night at L.P Steamers (my wife doesn't eat 'em, but I still love her). The table is covered with brown paper and the crabs just get dumped on top. You get a mallet, knife and a plastic bucket to discard the shells, lungs, etc. When I was finished smashing, tearing and gorging, I of course had a cup of cream of crab soup for dessert - absolutely fantastic!
We finally got real honest-to-God barbecue in this area within the past several years. Hopefully, Old Bay Crabs will follow suit. I can only dream...