With an amazing array of fish-centric restaurants that call Lower Manhattan home, you won't run out of incredible places to satisfy those scallop and oyster cravings any time soon.

Flex Mussels - West Village

Who doesn't love a nice heaping plate of Mussels? Soft and succulent, Mussels are the ultimate taste treat from King Neptune's locker. And they're also fun to eat. Just pull them from the shell and pop 'em in your mouth. Mussels go down smooth and easy.

Popular with the after-work happy hour crowd, mussels also work as a light but flavorful entree.

You can readily find mussels on the menu of most bars and restaurants in Manhattan. But, they are usually served in a fairly standard and straightforward manner, cooked in their own juices with, maybe, a touch of white wine thrown in for good measure.

However, if you're a huge mussels fan, you have got to check out what restaurateurs Bobby and Laura Shapiro are doing at their innovative restaurant Flex Mussels.

Together with their daughter Alexandra, the Shapiros have come up with a menu that is almost entirely devoted to those plump, juicy morsels of goodness.

At Flex Mussels, you can choose from twenty-three varieties of sauces to accompany your mussels. Each sauce is more extraordinary than the last. The Shapiro family truly believes that variety is the spice of life.

A culinary phenomenon, Flex Mussels has been creating a buzz that can be heard all around town.

Having owned two hugely successful restaurants, (the original Flex and Dayboat), in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, the Shapiros have cultivated a long-term, highly-productive relationship with PEI mussel farmers.

Pound after pound of mussels is hand-picked specifically for Flex Mussels. So, you are assured of having the freshest, finest quality mussels that money can buy.

The menu takes guests on a tour of the world's cooking cultures. Sauces and ingredients range from local farm to table herbs and veggies to some extremely exotic and intriguing blends. One thing is for certain; you won't be disappointed.

Now, before we get into the menu particulars, let's talk about that New York social institution called happy hour.

Bobby, Laura and Alexandra do right by you with one of the best happy hours in the city.

A cold, refreshing glass of beer will set you back a mere six bucks while selected wine, by the glass, is available for only $7.

Their signature spicy tequila and cucumber vodka cocktails are very reasonably priced at just eight dollars.

Most happy hour bites and snacks are available for eight dollars and under. You can choose from a crispy fish taco, a plate of truffle fries or cornmeal-crusted clam strips, which are outrageous.

Freshly shucked oysters can be had for a dollar apiece.

The menu features four helpful categories of sauces and tastes; white wine based mussels, creamy mussel dishes, tomato-based sauces and Flexy International flavors.

Feel free to experiment and run some of these combinations and blends by your taste buds. See what they think!

You can choose to go classic with an anything but the basic dish of mussels with white wine, herbs and garlic. Another wine based broth envelops the mussels in a stew-like sauce made with Little Neck clams, chorizo, kale and white beans.

On the creamy side, the Dijon option comes with creme fraiche, wine, parsley and house-made Dijon mustard.

The Maine-style selection is a chowder type of sauce that pairs the mussels with chunks of lobster, smoked bacon and parsley.

The tomato selections range from the Italiano (calamari, roasted garlic, red wine and fresh tomatoes) to the Amatriciana, a slightly spicy sauce comprised of premium San Marzano tomatoes, Italian bacon, onions and chili flakes.

Certainly, the most adventurous part of the Mussels menu is the Flexy, which spans the globe.

When one thinks of a delicious dish of mussels, ingredients like curry coconut broth, lemongrass, kaffir lime, coriander and ginger don't ordinarily come to mind. But it all works quite well in the Flexy Thai mussels dish.

Take the heat up a couple of notches when you order the Mexican Flexy. Your mussels are cooked to perfection in a chipotle adobo broth seasoned with lime juice and cilantro. Calamari and pieces of chorizo make this one of the heartiest options on the menu.

Nothing goes better with a bowl of mussels than a cool, delicious salad, especially on a hot Summer's night.

One of their tastiest harvest bowls is the Little Gem salad which contains lobster, red onions, pecorino romano cheese, lemon and is tossed in a champagne vinaigrette.

They've also got a roasted beet salad that has goat cheese and a mound of spinach. The Sherry vinaigrette does an excellent job of offsetting the tangy bite of the goat cheese.

The menu contains several noteworthy non-mussel dishes such as beer-battered haddock, peel and eat Old Bay seasoned shrimp and crab guacamole.

By all means try one, for a change of pace. But, if you are a first-time here, do yourself a favor and stick to the mussels. They are so good, you might just end up ordering seconds!

Location and Hours

154 West 13th Street

New York, NY 10011

(212) 229-0222

www.flexmussels.com

Hours
Monday to Thursday............5:30 PM to 10 PM
Friday........................5:30 PM to 11 PM
Saturday.....................11:30 AM to 11 PM
Sunday.......................11:30 AM to 10 PM

Seabird - West Village

Cozy and charming, this seafood-centric restaurant is not your typical corny imitation of a New England lobster and chowder shack. Far from it, in fact.

The vibe here is casual bistro dining meets sexy Mediterranean beach club. Everything from the delectable menu to the trendy,on-point decor is filled with out of the ordinary original touches and character.

That's no surprise, as the team behind Seabird consists of chef Ken Tajima, from the acclaimed Harlem restaurant Mountain Bird and Bahr Rapaport and Alon Moskovitch of Mezetto and LES Mediterranean fame.

Featuring both indoor and patio seating, Seabird has a varied menu that is sure to appeal.

What makes the food here even more delicious is the warm and genuine hospitality that you will receive here.

Your hostess Elizabeth and her expert staff pride themselves on providing the type of old-world service that has become increasingly rare in most Manhattan restaurants. With intimate booth seating and a low key ambiance, Seabird is a perfect choice for your next date.

Their menu is varied and runs the gamut from incredible seafood to the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired food such as Hummus, a fantastic falafel burger, and lamb.

To share, one of the best things to order, for an appetizer, is the Hummus platter. And it is big! One person could never finish this.

You get two kinds of freshly prepared hummus, roasted red pepper and Jalapeno, a side of pickled veggies and both crostini and naan bread.

You can also kick off your meal with deviled eggs that are topped with juicy oysters, sriracha avocado fries or their sensational crab toast with basil and lime relish.

Burgers and sandwiches include a shrimp po'boy that is Big Easy authentic but with a neat twist. The shrimp and toppings are served up on a pretzel bun.

You'll feel as though you are dining out at a taverna in Athens when you take a bite out of the lamb burger. Your patty of ground lamb is infused with aromatic herbs and is topped with a feta spread and pickled onions with a side of mint yogurt.

 

 

As far as interesting entrees go, a very nice choice is the surf and turf. The spin, though, at Seabird is that a marinated chicken breast replaces the traditional red meat for this type of dish while the surf is represented by rosemary and garlic rubbed grilled shrimp.

Your mom and doctor will be more than delighted to know that the chicken and shrimp are served with root vegetables.

A most popular selection is the pan-fried red snapper that is accompanied by corn, sauteed onions and avocado. The flaky flesh of this delicious fish is dressed with a splash of lime juice and basil relish.

You might also like to try the salmon. You really cannot go wrong with this dish. On its' own, the salmon is noteworthy, but the home-made Hollandaise sauce makes this dish one that you'll recommend to friends and family.

The kitchen turns out three made from scratch desserts. you'll have a hard time deciding which one to try first.

Their key lime pie is a fairly good sized slice and it's not too tart, as some citrus based pies are apt to be. With an oh so tasty flambeed topping of banana slices, the bread pudding is one for the ages.

Ice cream is always in season, so you've got a good excuse to check out Seabirds out of this world ice cream sandwich, made with vanilla gelato and soft chocolate chip cookies.

There's so much to like about this place, especially their live music nights. Every Friday evening you'll be moving to the groove of Brazilian jazz beats. On Saturdays, the vibe is romantic with a guitar and keyboard duo playing both jazz and popular ballads.

If you happen to be working late (again!), then you'll be delighted to know that Seabird offers an extended happy hour. From 3 till 8 PM, every day, you can take advantage of deals like a free draft beer or glass of sangria with a food purchase of $20 or more.

Seabird... whatever your special occasion is, they'll make it one to remember.

Location and Hours

361 Sixth Avenue
New York, NY 10014
(212) 414-9500
www.seabirdny.com
Hours
Monday to Saturday 11:30 AM to 11 PM
Sunday                   11:30 AM to 10 PM

Ed's Lobster Bar - Soho

If the day to day grind of taking the subway to and from your job and answering endless emails is starting to wear you down, then it's time for a quick mini-vacation at Ed's Lobster Bar.

Between the authentic coastal and creative lobster menu and the fun ahoy mates atmosphere, you'll feel as though you are dining within the calming environs of Kennebunkport or Cape Cod.

With whitewashed walls and various nautical artifacts that look as though they came straight from a nineteenth-century schooner, Ed's is a genuine sea-change from the sleek, modern "uptown" fish restaurants that have previously been the traditional pot of call for New York's fish lovers.

Step right up to the impossibly long, marble-topped lobster bar, pull up a high-top chair and prepare to dig in.

Chef and owner Ed McFarland is a seasoned veteran of some of the city's finest seafood restaurants including a successful stint as a sous-chef at Pearl Oyster Bar.

Ed's has a very passable raw bar that features fresh as can be oysters, clams and a jumbo shrimp cocktail that hits just the right note.

But, when all is said and done, as good as the other seafood is, (we're talking a filling New York Shell Fish stew), you're here for the lobster. And, Ed can prepare this succulent meat in an over a dozen different ways.

You can enjoy a whole or half lobster, steamed, grilled on the barbie or broiled. They also do a bang-up lobster and clam bake that will satisfy even the heartiest of appetites.

The lobster burger is heavy on the meat and not stuffed with filler or breadcrumbs, which is always a good thing. It's sided up with sea salt seasoned french fries, artisan pickles and Ed McFarland's famous cole slaw.

Also on the menu is home-made lobster ravioli in a creamy mushroom sauce. Soups include corn and lobster chowder and an addicting lobster bisque.

Everyone who eats here, though, raves about Ed's totally astounding lobster roll. It's got just the right amount of dressing and the lobster to bread ratio is just what you want in a sandwich like this. They don't skimp on the portions here. You've come for the lobster and that's exactly what you get.

Brunch is very popular here and with dishes like lobster quiche and lobster benedict, it is easy to see why.

 

 

For a so-called seafood shack, Ed's pays a ton of attention to their drink list. The house bartenders have created some sterling elixirs that are sure to pave the way for a delicious dining experience and convivial vibe.

The Blueberry Gin Gimlet blends Spring 44 gin and a dash of cane sugar with fresh blueberry and lime juice for a taste that can't be beaten.

Tito's vodka, red grape juice and ginger-ale are the simple but satisfying ingredients of The Transfusion.

The Spiked Ade is a mix of vodka, muddled lemons and limes along with a touch of mint and cane sugar

You won't need a cocktail to get a buzz on at Ed's Lobster Bar. That's how great the overall experience is. But, it's still nice to know that a stiff drink is just moments away from your table.

Location and Hours

222 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 343-3236
www.lobsterbarnyc.com

Hours

Monday - Thursday 12 PM to 11 PM

Friday                    12 PM to 12 AM

Saturday                11 AM to 12 AM

Sunday                  12 PM to 9 PM

Aquagrill - Soho

One of the first things that catch your eye upon entering Aquagrill, aside from the sleek and sexy decor, is a huge bar that is filled with shaved ice and row after row of oysters.

It's a magnificent sight that is guaranteed to tantalize the appetite of seafood lovers throughout Soho and the entire West Village neighborhood.

By the way, you'll be interested to know that Aquagrill is considered to be destination dining for oyster purists who won't settle for just any old happy hour oyster deal. They are willing to pay more for the real deal.

At Aquagrill, you will be able to choose from 25 different varieties of oysters. The husband and wife team of Jeremy and Jennifer Marshall source their amazing oysters from clean waters, taking great care to give their customers a healthy and delicious dining experience.

They believe in being environmentally responsible and work with oyster purveyors who share this philosophy.

Brunch is served every Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM until 3:30 PM. This is a brunch unlike any other you have ever experienced in NYC. You will be telling all your colleagues at work about it, on Monday.

In addition to the bountiful selection of oysters, the raw bar features several fresh seafood items that are brought in specifically for brunch, the highlight being chilled Maine Jonah crab claws.

These magnificent morsels are served with Jicama-Jalapeno and pineapple slaw together with a delightful Dijon mustard dipping sauce.

Brunch salads include lobster with avocado, beets and ruby-red grapefruit segments and a crab cake salad with mixed greens.

You know that you love Eggs Benedict. You order it all the time when you go to brunch with your significant other.

But it's high time that you discovered how good a Benedict can be with, not the usual boring ham or Canadian bacon in it, but tender chunks of Peekytoe crab meat. accompanied by hash brown potatoes done right and Ratatouille.

Omelet fans take notice! Aquagrill's chef offers a signature omelet like no other. It is stuffed with crab meat, asparagus and pepper jack cheese. The blend of flavors, from the aromatic seafood and fresh vibrancy of the asparagus to the spicy cheese, is definitely one of a kind.

To wash your entree down, the bar offers some super brunch-oriented libations. They mix them all up, from a light and fruity Bellini and tasty Mimosa to a Bloody Mary that has a real kick to it. However, you really should try their Chocolate Martini.

After doing brunch here, make plans to come in later in the week and sample their wonderful dinner menu.

 

 

Creative and ingenious are the keywords in this kitchen. Where else can you order grilled Atlantic salmon that is coated with a falafel crust? The roasted Casco Bay Cod with baby artichokes and wilted spinach is also very good.

Pasta selections are somewhat limited. However, you don't need a lot to choose from when dishes like shrimp fettuccine with pesto, pine nuts and fresh tomatoes are available. You would pick this selection out nine times out of ten, anyway.

Now, the sides are a bit on the dear side at $7.50 apiece. However, the portions are good, considering that it IS an accompaniment. Options include soft truffle polenta, sesame cucumber salad, boiled new potatoes and sauteed spinach.

Aquagrill is a culinary marriage that brings together an upscale yet genuinely warm atmosphere with soul-satisfying dishes.

Location and Hours

210 Spring Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 274-0505
www.aquagrill.com

Hours

Monday to Thursday......11:30 AM to 10 PM
Friday..................11:30 AM to 11 PM
Saturday................11 AM to 11 PM
Sunday..................11 AM to 10 PM

Seamore's - Nolita

This charming, bright, sun-filled restaurant is located at the corner of Broome and Mulberry street in a historic neighborhood that has a strong immigrant culinary tradition.

The Lower East Side is where the old world meets contemporary innovation. Seamore's is a prime example of young, on the rise chefs and restaurateurs who respect these hallowed traditions while also bringing something fresh and exciting to the table.

Opened in 2015, Seamore's celebrates the waterfront and thriving fish markets of Nineteenth-century New York. It was a time when many fishermen and sea captains would pull up to the Hudson River or East Side docks and sell the catch of the day right off their boat.

Seamore's founder, Michael Chernow and executive chef Chris Cryer honor the neighborhood's heritage with a "sea to table" philosophy by purchasing only the freshest seafood

from local purveyors.

The fish that you eat at Seamore's is 100% sustainable and sourced close to home.

Most importantly, the menu's price points are fair and accessible to all. In other words, you don't have to make a living as a hedge fund trader or stockbroker in order to enjoy a meal here.

The Seamore team's mission is to give the city's foodies and families a dining option that is fun, healthy, incredibly tasty and environmentally sound.

Founder Michael Chernow knows a thing or two about what it takes to appeal to New Yorkers' eclectic tastes.

The author of a best-selling cookbook, Michael started the acclaimed Meatball Shop chain and is always experimenting with different food and dining concepts.

A passionate fisherman since childhood, Michael is as hands-on as it gets when it comes to creating delicious dishes where fish is the star of the show.

Chef Christopher Cryer hails from Southern Maryland's Chesapeake Bay community; so you just know that he loves everything and anything about seafood!

Chris' professional experience includes a successful stint at The Hudson Garden as well as being in charge of the culinary program at The New York Botanical Gardens.

Because of his extensive knowledge of local, sustainable seafood and flair for turning the basic into something sublime, courtesy of a judicious use of herbs and seasonings, Chris was the perfect match for Seamore's. Michael is proud to have chef Chris on board.

Currently, Seamore's is offering a bang for your buck option called, appropriately enough, The Real Deal. At just $22 for lunch and $24 at dinner, this steal of a deal will leave you feeling quite full and happy, long after you've left the premises.

Consisting of three simple and delicious steps, The Reel Deal asks guests to choose their fish, from that day's fresh catch. Then it's time to pick out your sauce. Choices include charred scallion, a fiery red curry, lemongrass Aji or a soothing and flavorful Miso brown butter.

For the final step in the process, choose your sides. And we are not just talking one or two, but three plentiful side dishes.

Both the sweet potato fries and mac and cheese are outstanding. But they've also come up with a few dishes that are uniquely Seamore's like a delightful mushroom ragout, braised chard, ricotta beets, creamy farro and a herb-forward spin on roasted broccoli.

Plates that you can share with your crew from the office or the neighborhood range from a plate piled high with crispy squid and tuna poke to a light and airy scallop ceviche.

The entree portion of the menu features chef Chris' signature "Big Fish Tacos and Burritos". Choose from blackened shrimp or the seared fish of the day.

 

 

You should also look into the cavatelli and clams in a succulent clam and butter broth as well as the bodaciously fine Fishburger. This home-made fish and quinoa patty are topped with slices of avocado and jalapeno aioli.

Check for their specials of the day which, every week, includes their famous Creole Gumbo. This feast in a bowl is chock full of shrimp, Andouille sausage, market fish of the day, okra and rice. be sure to ask for some bread to soak up the remaining broth.

Seamore's mixologists certainly hold their own with the kitchen staff as far as performing magic tricks that will satisfy your palate but also quench your thirst at the same time.

Take a break from the constant demands on your time by taking a sip of Montauk Standard Time, a cocktail that will transport you out to the farthest reaches of Long Island.

The flavorful blend of Montauk Rum Runners Citrus gin, lemon juice, sugar, Thyme and Prosecco will for sure get the party started.

Overcome those lazy, hazy and sometimes crazy days of Summer with the Lighthouse Cooler, a refreshing drink that brings together Montauk Label Coconut Rum and watermelon juice with agave, lemon juice and Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur. The whole concoction is topped with, believe it or not, a tropical red bull float!

Get ready to have an unexpectedly fun time when you Walk The Plank at Seamore's. This powerful libation consists of Green Mark Vodka, St. Germaine, lime juice, a touch of basil and Rhubarb Bitters.

Location and Hours

390 Broome Street
New York, NY 10013
(212)730-6005
www.seamores.com

Hours

Sunday to Thursday  12 PM to 10 PM
Friday and Saturday  12 PM to 11 PM

Brunch

Saturday and Sunday 12 PM to 4:30 PM