On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Categories: Seafood, American (Traditional) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Gramercy-FlatironI've eaten at City Crab a few times. Never a bad experience!
Great lobster bisque, big salads, jumbo crab cakes and you get to pick your own lobster from the tank if you go that route!
Service is always great and very accommodating. Nice wine list and killer desserts. Just one of the many place to check out on lower Park Ave South.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
The first time I saw City Crab ... I thought, "That sounds like a sexually transmitted disease. " In fact, I had a whole, overheardinewyork.com monologue lined up in my head:
[walking down Lexington in the 40's behind girl on cell phone]
"WTF? I mean that's the way I find out he's hooking up with some ho? No seriously. I'm gonna' f--- him up. He's with that skank and comes back to me and now I've got City Crabs? WTF?"
Okay, not quite. [Relax... no screenplays in the works. I'll stick to my day job.]
Yes, CC is a seafood place. No, it's not that good. It always costs more than it's worth for very average seafood. And my only friends that ever want to go there are the ones who come in from out of town. Coincidence? I think not. So in the midst of my month sans dining out and imbibing EtOH, of all the places that I miss (and right now there are a lot of them), City Crab is not it.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (3)
Cool (4)
Wanted to grab something quick and was near Union Square. We had a taste for seafood so we stopped into 'da crab. Had been here in eons and was praying I didn't catch crabs!
Located just north of Union Square, City Crab is in a perfect location for thoses driving or taking the subway. I didn't make reservations, and just knew we would have to wait but the place was about empty , which surprising being a nice Sunday.
City crab is a standard Crab shack, so there is no set dress code. The two level restaurant consists of a bar on the main floor surrounded by bar tables a mezzanine level and 2nd floor with various nooks and cranny's. Since there is plenty of dark woods, the further into the interior of the restaurant you go the darker it gets. City Crab is not a trendy spot, nor would I say it's a neighborhood location. I would classify it as a solid mid tier restaurant. The mezz. appears to be the quietest section of the restaurant so if on a date, this is where I would ask to be seated.
We came in for seafood and I ended up ordering Brunch. I was unaware that the served brunch, the more surprising part is that it was GOOD! It was a great Jazz Brunch with a live band that didn't overwhelm the restaurant.
I ordered the Gumbo, which had a consistency and great kick. The rice was perfect. I also ordered the three egg omelette that was AMAZING. It was fluffy, light and HUGE. It was one of the best omelettes I've had. All the ingredients I picked for my omelet were fresh and it was made in such a way that all the ingredients were perfectly balanced and the cheese didn't weigh the entire omelette down. As a pork head, the bacon was somewhat of a let down. The bacon was crispy but had very little flavor. The pork let a brotha down!!
Our server was hilarious, personable and just straight up cool! Why can't all servers be like Ms. Stephanie? If you stop in ask to be seated in her section, she'll take good care of you.
The price, service and value for the items orders was appropriate.
There is nothing too "bad" I can say about this dining experience and I'll make a point to stop in for a dinner service to compare previous posters comments.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
so, one of my old bosses invited me out here with her friend a few years ago after a night out drinking. she was drunk and they kept asking for all you can eat king crab legs - so that was my first experience with city crab.
she and her friend ordered the all you can eat crab legs, while i ended up just getting some fish of some sort - maybe flounder? all in all, i had good memories of the night, and of city crab.
so, a few months ago, i invited my bf out to have dinner there. coming back here, i didn't feel like i did the first time i had come. it just felt slightly better than a red lobster - which isn't saying much.
our waitress was really nice. she was really cute and outgoing...it seemed like she was a struggling actor or something. but it really made me wonder why of all places she was working at a seafood restaurant. now that i think about it, it sort of reminds me of that freecreditreport.com commercial. hmm...
anyway, i ended up ordering the lobster tail and crab legs, and my bf ordered filet mignon medium rare. my stuff was okay - not like, the tastiest seafood ever, but edible, but my bf's steak came out raw. was clearly not mid rare. i think if gordon ramsay saw that meat, he would've flung it against a wall or something while screaming obscenities.
my bf did get it sent back, and the actor/waitress was really nice about it all.
i dunno, it made me sort of sad to see our waitress working there, and the food was mediocre at best.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
Originally reviewed 4/5/05, edited 4/14/08
What a let-down!
You'd think that, for the prices you're paying, it would be classier than this. My friends and I went one Tuesday night a few years ago. It took a long time to get our appetizers and entrees; our glasses were not refilled, though there were servers standing idly nearby. The lobster was good, mussels and clams steamed (ie. tasteless), the profiteroles' eclair shells were hard and didn't taste fresh. The bathroom was what I'd expect at a joint in Flushing or Chinatown, but not here! Dimly lit, with flies buzzing around, a missing lamp shade.
I would not come here again. If anyone who has been there in the past few years can attest to more hygienic conditions, I might consider going back. But judging by the other yelpers' comments as to the food, I don't think that will be any time soon.
This was a pretty good clam chowder. The flavor was uniquely their own. The clams are very fresh. They're so chewy, it feels like they're fighting back.
I would conclude by saying that this clam chowder is above average. The flavor was above average, the size of the clams were above average, and the price was above average.
Unfortunately, the fries are only average. It's an average sized fry with lackluster flavor, and diminishing crispness.
- mediocre food
- I've had very good experiences with their service
- special on crab legs and lobster bake
- recommend lobster bake, lobster ravioli and steamers
- would give them a 2.5 if possible, but I tend to round up
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
If you want your lobster/crab fix look no further. Then again you can go to Red Lobster. But you are cooler than that because you want to see and be seen so you will go to a joint that is one notch above Red Lobster.
You can afford to pay more for City Crab because you're worth it.
City Crab is a huge letdown. With the massive crowd and classy location, you would expect better food. The atmosphere and quality are comparable to Legal Seafoods, though probably not even that satisfactory. The duplex is packed with tables, a bar on each floor, and a mix of patrons that might as well be tourists if they pick this place over the many other choices in the city.
Their cocktail menu is limited and uninteresting. The entrees sound unusual, but really are not. My friend decided to start with the Clam Chowder, which I enjoyed but he found salty and too rich. In terms of entrees, I had the Pan Seared Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna with jasmin rice and a mixed vegetable stir-fry. The tuna was well crusted, but over-cooked and tasted like chicken more than tuna. It was not very fresh. The rice and vegetables were tasty, though. The whole meal was covered in a Spicy Sweet and Sour Sauce that was definitely spicy. My friend ordered the Chilean Sea Bass with mushrooms and crisp onion strings. It was decent, but not nearly as tasty as it sounded.
I will say that our server was extremely friendly, but not impactful enough to warrant a return trip.
I LOVE seafood. I don't love Shitty Crab & Seafood Company though. Oh wait, did I say that? Sorry!
Somehow misled to believe that I would chow to a coma inducing stupor on someone else's dime, I picked here for a change of pace for my birthday dinner. The food was just plain bad to mediocre. I'll never go back.
There are much better places for seafood in the city. Just call this place a glorified Red Lobster already...
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (3)
Cool (2)
After nearby Duke's was deemed wayyyy too crowded and "het," the bf and I went to next door City Crab, where the seafood was delicious. However, keep in mind that the last seafood experience I had was a coma-inducing "Feed Your Fat Face" Red Lobster event. Anyway, the Lobster Cobb salad I had was fantastic and huge, but I feel like the fact that no entree is under $24 makes it a tad too pricey. The bf's scallop dish was no more than 5 small scallops and some fried potato on the side. $24? No thanks.
The worst part was that at the end of our meal, the waiter told us their computer had "crashed" and they were working to fix it. We waited for nearly 15 minutes after this announcement before he finally came out and handed us an "old school" bill that he had totaled himself. I'm no genius, but I could have manually done everyone in the restaurant's bills with the help of a calculator within the amount of time it took to get ours. Did an offer of a free drink or dessert follow? Was there even an apology for such a wait for the bill? Nada. And for the price you're paying for dinner, I don't think they're losing any money.
Had the Alaskan Surf and Turf - simply delish! They crack open the Alaskan King Crab legs for you, so less mess. No one wants to fight with their food. The filet was perfect - like butter. Great location, great food, price is moderate. From their NE clam chowder to the many seafood specialties - I have never been dissatisfied. Worth checking out.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Hah, The City Crab. What a joke. I came here for dinner on Christmas Eve. (Don't ask Why). The Hostess was very friendly and asked if we had a reservation. "No!" was my response, I wasn't in the mood for arguing and I'd made it perfectly clear that I didn't want to wait. No problem. Got a seat in seconds.
(I'll excuse the rude waitress)
Food: Had a Pan Seared Ahi Tuna. I asked for it rare. It arrived at my table overcooked and dryer than a drama professor's bi-polar humor.
It was awful. The vegetables were bathing in a sauce that I swear they mixed with Tang and Vinegar. I'm not one to have food returned so I ordered a side of salad that was void of freshness and sprinkled with an obvious budgeted surplus of ranch dressing.
So I had two beers, watched my cousin pretend to enjoy her premature Alaskan King Crab Legs with box Idahoan Mashed potatoes- that she didn't touch. We laughed at the bill and left a nice tip for- did I mention the rude waitress?
$124.00 for a poor excuse of a Christmas Eve dinner. I would have been satisfied with a Hot Dog.
PS. I left my glove there that night. Went back two minutes later and the waitress said she never saw me before.
Nice.
IxNay on the Itty Crab Shay!
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
We were walking down Park Avenue and decided to go to City Crab for dinner. I've been here several times. If you love seafood, you have to stop by here sometime.
I ordered the Grilled North Atlantic Salmon and she had the Jumbo Shrimp over Linguine. We tried of some of each other's food. The food was delicious.
I've been sick this past week, so I also ordered their New England Clam Chowder. Again delicious. And an order of tea. The waiter gave me plenty of lemon slices, a cup of honey, extra hot water to go with my tea. Great service.
-Oliver T.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
"Hot" early nineties restaurant limps along.
We went there last weekend.
Pluses:
1. they were very accomodating of our baby (although on Sunday evening it wasn't crowed, it could be different when they are crowded)
2. the crabcake - all succulent fresh meat/hardly any bread
3. they took an item off our tab with no questions asked (see minuses, below) - they get an extra star for doing this
4. casual, appealing atmosphere. i just like high ceilings
Minuses
1. The asian style tuna was the WORST piece of tuna I have ever seen. Since when does Tuna have **gristle**??? But when we complained they took it off the tab and explained that it was the end piece. Of course, they could have not served it in the first place...
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (2)
We went there because , We abs Love seafood, , and heard this used to be , a really good place.
We went a little late, so, i guess we got the leftovers of , our waiters attitude, He wasn't eager at all, and was very annoying bc , We kept needing things, and he was never available!.. both of which are unacceptable.
I got the Alaskan King crab legs, They are huge, and they are pretty okay seasoning wise. But when i finished eating(unfortunately for me ) i opened my napkin, and there lay a couple of surprises for me lets just say the rats in that place were eating well!,.. .....I was disgusted....
and now bc of flashbacks, i have nothing more to say about this place..
This is alright seafood. Similar to Landry's or Joe's Crab Shack chain. If you're craving seafood, this is a good bet. I'd stick with the 5-7pm $19.95/pound special on king crab, etc. or the items below.
Enjoyed the combination appetizer platter - fried calamari, popcorn shrimp and a crab cake. The miso and sake glazed sea bass was pretty simple, but great flavor. A little underdone for me. The mashed potatoes with crab were so good, I could eat that alone for my meal. But what purpose would that serve?
We'll go back because the prices are not bad and the service is really good.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (2)
My friend and I came here for restaurant week. I had lobster. She had steak. Her steak was sinewy and I think my lobster made me break out in a rash a little. Maybe it was just a so-so experience for both but this restaurant gets at least 3 stars because the desserts knocked our socks off. I had the key lime pie and my friend had the chocolate cake. Both were absolutely amazing.
City crab was a delightful experience overall, but most of that was due to our waiter and not necessarily due to the food. Don't get me wrong, the food was tasty, but it wouldn't venture to say it was anything more than "solid" seafood. The fish was decently prepared, the jasmine rice was a little dry and the veggies (while they tasted pretty good in the miso glaze that coated them) looked pretty pathetic on the plate. It can definitely satisfy any seafood craving - I thought their menu was pretty well rounded - they even serve sushi which was a pleasant surprise. The service was perfect, we were seated right away and our waiter (the highlight of the evening was his adorable and subtle southern draw) attended to our every beck and call. I know, that's his job - but anyone who has eaten at Googies knows that waiters don't always feel the need to do their job.
I will definitely give city crab another shot. I happened to have gone during restaurant week and ended up ordering from the prix fixe menu. I feel like they just cook that food en masse so it isn't as "quality" as their typical food fare.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
One of the best seafood restaurant !!
Fresh fish, fresh meal! The crab cakes taste like crab :) Lobster rizotto is more than delicious ! People are nice. Atmosphere is fun!
I really recommend it!
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Perhaps I should have stuck to crab, but this is one of the worst higher-end seafood joints I've been to in a while. It may be that I had the lunch special and that it was just bad mass-produced food. The clam chowder was way too creamy and salty, I felt like I was eating a bad pudding. The lobster roll was poorly made, using ingredients that just didn't seem fresh to me - even the color was off, it seemed like I was eating plastic food. Even my soda was flat. The only things that were decent (besides the company of course) were the fries and the sorbet at the end of the meal. Yes, a $20 prie-fixe is a good bargain, but not when the food can't live up to the standards of a place that is supposedly known for seafood. I'm definitely not going back.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I went here for restaurant week and was astounded at how shoddy the experience was. The food was something we could have thrown together ourselves. The singular stuffed clam could have been from the supermarket--the stuffing was mushy and salty. The osso bucco of monkfish tasted like random blocks of fish tossed into campbell's vegetable soup and boiled to death. The char was dry...The only good part was the dessert--the flourless chocolate cake. If not for dessert, we would have left the restaurant hungry (we polished off the bread basket because the food was so unsatisfactory and it was never replenished). The service was also less than impressive--the server would come over and toss the dishes onto the table and stalk away immediately, as if he were doling out slop to livestock. We'd considered the a la carte menu, but for the poor service and indifferently prepared food, I would just avoid the restaurant altogether (there are just too many options in NYC for this place to merit a second chance).
Excellent seafood combined with casual dining. I was impressed that both the dinner menu and dessert menu are printed daily. The prices are reasonable for what you are getting. I had the soft shelled crabs for $26, although next time I think I will get the king crab legs.
The desserts were fairly traditional, but also exceptionally good. I would go back just to have another slice of their key lime pie.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Still standard fare - Popcorn Shrimp as an appetizer was just 'ok' though the Steamers would have probably been the better choice. For an entree, I got the Seafood Platter (garlic jumbo shrimp, broiled sea scallops, maryland crab cake) - a little bit of everything. Decently priced wine list & upside of the the meal had to be the two glasses of Clean Slate Riesling. Total bill - FREE (ok ok - I was treated to dinner. Thanks again Kid!)
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Move over Gordons Fisherman Ive got a new Fish Fryin Love in my life and this biatch is called City Crab. I ventured to City Crab on a Tuesday night with a larger group of unknowing newbies to CC and we all left with a special place in our hearts and stomachs for CC. We kicked things of with an Oyster sampler and warm app sampler and all very fresh and tasty, the crab cakes are amazing. Feeling the ragin cagin in me coming out I ordered the Gumbo and even had the Red Snapper w/ Jambalaya and both dishes were out of this world. I recalled a recent episode of Deadliest Catch while a helped devour a pound of King Crab legs. The service was great and our large group had plenty of room at a huge table. I highly recommend CC.
I was recently here cashing in a gift card someone got me for christmas...so as you can imagine I was quite excited for a "free" meal. However, once again I was disappointed by City Crab. Food is average at best, and the service was horrible. And to make the bad service even scarier our waitress was training someone else!
When it turned out the $34 bottle of wine I ordered was sold out the waitress suggested something else off the extensive list (plus for them) - but to my shock she recommended a bottle over $60 - which I'm sure would have been great - but obviously a bit more than I had planned to spend (my gift card was only for $100 - and this meal was planned in my head to be free)..that was just the start - we had to ask for bread, our shaky table that the waitress told us she would fix as soon as we sat down - didn't get addressed until after our food was served, giant crab legs were served without a cracker and our two waitresses went into their disappearing act again - leaving me with a plate full of mouth watering shell fish and no way to eat it...and the final straw in the service....as we were leaving we noticed everyone else got hot wet towels after their meal.
The food was OK - none of our dishes stand out - I would recommend staying away from this place - unless you go during happy hour - where they had some great specials for $19.99...just don't expect too much!
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
Seafood.
Went here during restaurant week and had their soft shelled crab special. One of best meals I've ever had. The crabs were large and cooked perfectly. There is no real way to mess up cooking crabs, but the food was very good. Alot of other patrons looked like they were enjoying their food also. The appetizers and dessert was done well.
I will come here more when I have a soft shell crab craving.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
The food was very delightful. We enjoyed this restaurant. However, if you share meals like we do due to today's large quanities, be prepared to get shunned by the wait staff. I guess they thought we were not going to leave a large enough tip. However, we did. The price fix menue is ample for two.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
If you go to City Crab, I suggest you try their Lobster Bisque. It is the best I have tasted in a long time. It was so creamy and flavoured just right. To be honest, I guess that's all I remember as far as food is concerned at City Crab.
Atmosphere is filled with sales and "creative" type people. I should know, I once was one of those "creative" types. Other than that, it's just a place to eat. not hang out and have drinks at.
There was an incident though where two waiters crashed into each other and a huge lobster tail fell on the floor. It was picked up, but I had to wonder, did they really throw that lobster tail out? I was just happy neither me nor my date ordered lobster.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
"City Crab." Sounds kinda dirty. But taste pretty good, though the crab didn't quite melt in my mouth the way I like it to. Also, there's just is something unromantic about eating crab in a concrete jungle where people don't even recycle.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
After living near the Gulf Coast for 28 years prior to moving to New York, I have eaten my fair share of seafood and the abundance of crawfish and oysters that I devoured growing up has left me appreciative of the finer points of preparing crustaceans and mollusks for human consumption. I won't go so far as to promote myself as a subject matter expert, but I do have ample experience in this area. I have even spent some very early mornings manning a trotline and a ring net and at one time I owned a pair of white rubber shrimp boots which I affectionately dubbed my Southern Reeboks (Ladies, please refrain from rushing me like the Beatles, there is more than enough to go around). I mention all of this only to establish my street cred with regards to this particular type of fare and my continuous cravings for shellfish.
In a series of desperate and futile attempts to feed the beast, I have eaten at City Crab numerous times in the past year. It is close to my apartment and the big neon sign with the flashing exoskeleton of the eatery's namesake calls out to me like a beacon in the night with promises of steamed and boiled deliciousness inside. Unfortunately, I have found that City Crab's perceived promises have been a bit empty. The wait staff is not outstanding to talk with or look at and I have never had what I would call a really good meal. It definitely has not been for lack of trying. I have eaten a little bit of just about everything from the Gumbo to the littleneck clams to the Lobster Bake. By far the best thing on the menu is the Alaskan King Crab legs. They are sizable and tasty. But the majority of the remaining offerings leave much to be desired. Sadly, most of the food here does little to excite my snobby Louisiana seafood palate and the price tags are anything but Down South. However, I maintain my patronage of City Crab, mostly because I'm lazy and walking three blocks for a sub par meal is somehow more appealing than trekking all over creation to find some goodness. Additionally, I guess I keep thinking and hoping that I am going to find something that will provide a temporary fix to my inner seafood junkie. So I continue to shell (no pun intended) out my hard earned dollars for overpriced, under seasoned food in a place with lackluster ambiance and service.
In summary, City Crab is like that crazy girl (or psychotic guy) that you should have broken up with several months ago, but you're lonely, desperate, and horny so you keep seeing her because the sex is steady and you lack the self esteem to walk away. Alas, you have to put up with a ton of baggage because that's what happens when you get caught in an abusive relationship. As long as you are intrigued by the underlying offering (mmmmmmmm.........crab legs!) and have pipe dreams of finding your true love (or digestive soul mate), whoever is running the show can get away with almost anything.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (3)
Cool (2)
I love crab, and made this restaurant one of my first splurges after moving to the city; sadly, I was disappointed. The crab itself was good--it's hard to mess up hard-shell--but the sides were lukewarm and had a spongy texture, the drinks tasted alcohol-free and the prices were way too high. I guess I'm not the only one aware of City Crab's shortcomings, because the place was empty on a Friday night.
I haven't tried the food, yet. I did stumble upon the bar, and I was very pleased. The crowd and the bartenders were laid back, and friendly. This place has a good vibe, but be aware there are the collections of business dinners.
City Crab brings New Yorkers a touch of Maryland by way of killer seafood. The food is always fresh, the service always impeccable and the price tag worthy of the product. If you're going, get the Maryland Crab Soup - it's just amazing and you won't find better in the city. The restaurant is slightly seperated from the dining area, which means that those in the bar stools create a scene all their own. It's loud, boisterous and full of regulars getting their very well made whiskey sours.
It was one of those nights when you aren't sure exactly what you're in the mood for, then you drive around looking for inspirations then you see City Crab, then you think to yourself, "YEAH! Crab! I would love some crab..." So then you go in and you get seated right away (which is a * for fast seating), then you realized you've missed their daily special cut off time (7pm) which is not so great but you've sat down already so it's too late to leave now... plus you've already been brainwashed into thinking crab is what you want for dinner. Then you go for the good sounding stuff like Alaskan King Crab Legs and Filet Mignon and your partner in crime orders something delish sounding as well... Then afterwards you look around and everyone else is getting better service than you (ie wet towels with lemon) and you're stuck with flagging down someone and asking for it yourself like an idiot. Then after that the Crab legs was the best you've ever had and the FM was so dry and subpar that you could not even manage to FINISH... (you can imagine the roller coaster ride of expectations and let downs) and your partner's something or other was really bad as well...???
ALL IN ALL: Come pre-7pm and order ONLY crab related stuff to ensure satisfaction.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (2)
gotta love this place... great oyster bar, sushi is great and they have these giant king crab legs, biggest things ever! very delish
been there like six times, always a winner
34 reviews
40 reviews
43 reviews
78 reviews
10 reviews