Ask Alex What to Eat

Very Good Seafood

Alicia Asks:

“Do you have a recommendation for a very good seafood restaurant in Manhattan? This is on behalf of my father, who is a huge fan of yours!”

Very good seafood gives me a lot of room so here are my thoughts:

If money was no object, every time I wanted to eat fish I would go to Le Bernadin.  I know it’s been around forever and some fear that it’s a little tired, but it’s hands down the best seafood I’ve ever eaten.  I’ve been there a few times now, most recently about 2 months ago and it’s still such a spectacular experience.  They knew, based on my phone number when I made a reservation, what my (really my fathers… but still) dietary restrictions were and what seating preferences I had.  Really just the best there is.

If I’m looking for something casual and not bankruptcy-enducing, I head to Pearl Oyster Bar on Cornelia St. in the West Village.  It’s a Maine-style seafood joint with the best lobster roll in the city and just really nice, simple fish.  Also, the beer and the blueberry pie.  Awesome.  It can be loud and crowded but worth it.

For something kind of in the middle, Blue Ribbon Braserie in SoHo (or the original in Brooklyn…) isn’t purely a seafood restaurant, but it’s a big part of why it’s gotten such acclaim.  It’s one of the best raw bars in the city with some fantastic oysters, clams, and everything else.  The paella is perfect and the trout was really nice.  Everything that I’ve ever seen come out of the kitchen looks great and the space is really nice.  It’s also a big late-night chef hangout, so I guess that’s pretty telling.