Choptank
I received two recommendations to try Choptank in two days, so I gave it a try. It is an impressive space in The West Village. I liked how the traditional design mixed with the modern. The back open air courtyard will prove to be very popular during the spring and summer.
Service was friendly and attentive. Our waiter was a nice guy. Instead of bread, they offer complementary Old Bay Chips and crab dip. We were excited to learn that this was free. Our excitement wore off when we realized that the chips were over seasoned and the crab dip was so thick that the flimsy chips broke each time we tried to dip. We left the chips and dip over.
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By far, the best part of the meal was the generous portion of Peel ‘N’ Eat Shrimp, Cocktail Sauce ($12). I had enjoyed peel and eat shrimp at Dinosaur Bar B Que earlier in the day and I actually liked these better. Why? The high quality jumbo shrimp were served hot. Unlike the chips, they were steamed with just the right amount of Old Bay. The cocktail sauce was tangy and fresh. It was a generous potion for the price.
Onto the steamers. I ordered these over the clams at the recommendation of the people at the next table. The steamers were cooked just right and the flavor came from the actual steamers as opposed to being overpowered with seasonings.
Though the burger came out undercooked and had to be sent back, all and all, it is a good option, especially if you don’t eat fish. They also have fried chicken on the menu.
I noticed a few people ordering crab cakes, which looked good. I also am intrigued by their $50 all you can eat crab menu item.
Rating:
Food – 7/10
Ambiance – 8/10
Service – 8/10
Category:
Food Type – Seafood
Style – Casual
Price – Moderate
Address/ phone: 310 Bleecker St., near Grove, 212-675-2009
menu: choptanknyc.com/Choptank_MENU.pdf
OpenTable: opentable.com/choptank
Luke’s Lobster
I had a taste of Maine in the East Village. The meal included small rolls, one lobster, one crab and one shrimp, two Empress claws, a Maine root beer, and some chips. Not bad for $20. I am by no means a lobster roll expert, but from my perspective, everything was executed really well. I really enjoyed that I was biting into big chunks of meat, without fillers and lots of mayo. The soft roll was lightly buttered and toasted. The special seasoning, which was lightly dusted on each roll added some pizazz to the taste. Service was fast and efficient and they do a good job making the you feel like you are in Maine in the 5×5 dining area. I had been meaning to go for a while now.. glad I made it.
Rating:
Food – 7/10
Ambiance – 7/10
Service – 7/10
Category:
Food Type – Seafood
Style – Casual
Price – Moderate
Wanna go?
Address/phone – 93 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009, (212) 387-8487