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Astor Place (6)
2nd Ave-Houston St (F, V)
8th St-Broadway (R, W)
Mon-Thu. 5:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sun. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
"awesome food...really filling and always hits the spot..only negative here is that the chicken is always cut into very large pieces so it's…" read more »
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I have been to Mermaid Inn on many occasions - thankfully.
It has all 3 of my favorite NYC restaurant ingredients:
1) Downtown in location
2) Small, intimate atmosphere (want it to feel like a mom & pop shop)
3) Exceptional quality @ reasonable price (FRESH is key)
4) Solid wine list
Mermaid Inn embodies this list. It is small, unpretentious, inviting and warm. The menu (both raw and cooked) is rock solid with one of the best lobster sandwiches in the city.
I could eat there once a week without hesitation.
Last weekend they accommodated us after 10 with no reservation and allowed us to consume a bottle of wine and eat off the menu specials - all while never letting us know if they were annoyed by us keeping them late.
All in all - it's a fantastic fish love fest.
Advice - eat anything, it will all be good. It's just that kind of joint.
I came for the Lobster Sandwich and left a happy girl. This place is cute and intimate, perfect for small groups and dates.
It's very New England and the service is great! Our table of 5 split a steamed clam appy but it was a little sandy but my highlight of the night was the Lobster Sandwich - so darn good! Tasty, seasoned fries and served on a hot bun. I got to try a piece of a friend's skate which was equally delicious!
I'm bringing my man back here for date night! If you come before 7pm - you can get the Lobster Sandwich for $12 and a beer! :D Score!
The Mermaid Inn is one of the most overrated restaurants in New York. Perhaps guys are hoping to catch a glimpse of the fictitious creature or girls want to live vicariously as Ariel. Maybe everyone's mediocre meals are forgotten when patrons are presented with the free dessert of a tiny delicious chocolate mousse. That was, after all, the best part of the menu.
However, that should not be the case at a seafood restaurant. I don't know how a lobster roll ends up as the most expensive entree, and it certainly wasn't the best. It was rather dry while the bun was burnt. I've had better at Merchants. I also got to try the grilled salmon from a friend. It was overcooked and the potatoes were soggy.
The Little Mermaid of Copenhagen, this is not.
Maybe even 4.5 stars. forget the maybe. 4.5 stars.
4 of us went on Friday night, and the meal was superb.
Upon arrival we were given a choice of the front and back room. the front is a bit more boisterous, with the bar. we opted for the back room, which was slightly more formal, for lack of a better word - as it was anything but formal. But it was tasteful; all dark woods, with rough hewn beams and white trim on the windows, not brightly lit, but not so dark you felt you were entering a crypt or hidden temple. A very inviting space.
Service was prompt and friendly , though i did have some minor minor quibbles, that have more to do with me than them i suspect. I don't like being talked down to about food, and i know the waiter was just doing his job when he opted to explain to us what yucca and gravlax were; had he not said said gravlax is "something like smoked salmon" I wouldn't have even noticed my annoyance, but if you're going to talk down to me, get it right. gravlax ain't smoked, it's cured. It's like, well lox. OK - moving on - as this was so minor and didn't actually detract from the experience in any way.
We started with cocktails & a mix of west coast oysters that were superb. i mean really really perfect. clean, briny, small, fresh. wonderful perfect oysters. yum.
we also split some steamed mussels in a pernod/tomato broth, with leeks and probably fennel (hard to say if that flavor was solely from the pernod or not) which were quite yummy, and the 4 of us split 2 bowls of lobster bisque as well. The bisque was brick red and rich and just right.
I only tasted 2 of the main courses but was told the others were very good as well.
I had skate wing w/ cauliflower puree, braised swiss chard, & caper brown butter. I think this was the winner at our table. The skate was firm and delicate, yet meaty (sometimes skate wing is very thin) enough to stand up to the hearty greens underneath. I would have liked more of the cauliflower puree on my plate, but that's just a testament to how good it tasted.
The other item i tasted was the famous lobster roll, which was very good. I suspect i like pearl's better, but it's been a while and it's hard to compare from memory. The roll was a little too soft for my taste, but the flavor of the lobster/mayo/etc was very good. And very tender, which isn't always the case w/ cold lobster. The were served with shoestring fries coated in old bay seasoning, which were very tasty also. I tend to be a purist with fries, so for me to like these gussied up ones says something, and that something is yum.
There was also a tiger shrimp special with a raspberry salsa and a cod, that i cannot remember how it was prepared - both looked good, but nether looked as good as the skate, to me.
I asked for a recommendation on a wine, something red, dry and light enough to work with fish, the waiter rolled off 3 choices, a pinot noir, a tempranillo, and a nero d'avolo. I thought the nero would be too big, and opted for the tempranillo which was really excellent. we pounded 2 bottles.
there is no dessert menu (!!!!) but they brought out little coffee cups with chocolate pudding in them, which was a very nice touch.
so - the downlow -
good, comfortable place. good to hand with friends, they never made us feel rushed even after we were done, a good place for a date, a good place to eat.
I went to the Mermaid Inn on a recommendation from a friend of mine. Since moving back to NYC, I haven't had seafood, and the reviews on Yelp made it sound like the perfect place to go to for seafood, so why not.
Anyhoo, I went here on a date. The atmosphere was perfect, the wait staff were extremely friendly, and (most importantly) the food was fantastic. Best salmon I've had in forever; even when I lived in Florida for a while, I didn't get salmon prepared as well as it was here. The beer selection was interesting, as well, and the two of us had a great time. Would recommend it to anyone.
(Sorry for the lack of cohesion/coherence, but I had to write this twice since my browser crashed)
i absolutely loved Mermaid Inn, which kinda makes me wonder how did this place manage to stay out of my radar for this long?!
I was catching a movie in the neighborhood and used Yelp to help me find a place to eat and this place seemed promising enough. Made reservations for about 6:30, the place wasn't packed at all yet. The hostess was friendly and easygoing. We got our table in the main room, although we had a choice of the bar or the back room. The main dining room up front had a view of the street, it was open and spacious and we got to see the action. Everything tonight was great because there was a beautiful commitment towards attention to detail. Nothing was missed, everything was perfect and taken care of.
The restaurant is adorable, mainly black and white. Felt very nautical, very Nantucket, New England-ish vibe. We ordered some market price oysters to start. I generally prefer East coast clams, I think tonight they had blue points and mystics.
The three of us couldn't pass up the happy hour lobster sandwich deal. $20 bucks for a huge lobster sandwich (notice, it's not called a lobster roll. It's served on a bun), a batch of old bay fries (delish and perfectly seasoned), and a bottle of beer. Where can you get a deal like that in NYC!?
In the word of my sister, "This sandwich is really good. I think I can say it's better than Pearl." And this is coming from a woman who thinks Pearl Oyster bar is the holy grail of Lobster rolls. I have to agree, the lobster sandwich here was pretty awesome. A generous serving of big, big chunks of lobster sandwiched between two warmly toasted buns. I almost couldn't finish it, it was soo big.
And of course, the complimentary chocolate pudding and the neat little fishy thing they give you at the end of your meal was a nice touch. I remember that fish from when I was a kid. We were nostaligic!
All in all, we loved dinner at Mermaid and I'm curious to try Oyster Bar soon too. Definitely amongst my list of must-trys!
What a wonderful Lobster Roll!
The shrimp and avacado sandwich was also very delish.
Lobster Bisque was ok and was brought up a notch because of the big chunks of lobsters.
All the seafood was very fresh.
The end included a red fish that curled up his head at me... who or what is jealous of me? who or what am I jealous of????
The little chocolate Mousse in a tiny cup was perfect.
Each time I've come here has been special, especially when they had the muscle special. It was the first time I've enjoyed muscles so much that I wanted to skip the entree and dessert all together and have them for 3 courses. Since then, each time I go somewhere that has them, I get them, and each time, it's a disappointment because they're nowhere near as good as those that I had at Mermaid Inn on that fateful day.
The cocktails here are awesome. Much better than you'd expect at a seafood restaurant. I can't complain about any of the entrees I've had there, though I wasn't too keen on how the skate wing was served. As for the lobster roll, I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars. Some of the meat is a little rubbery (though that can be expected from tail meat) and the roll was great, but the big downfall was the amount of Old Bay on the fries. They were basically bright red and each bite was a reenactment of those old bitter-beer-face commercials.
Can't wait to go back. Do not miss out on the mashed potatoes.
With reasonable prices and first-rate cuisine, the Mermaid Inn deserves its spot as one of downtown's favorite seafood spots.
If it's nice out ask for a table in the back garden--it's worth the wait: you'll forget you're even dining in the city.
This is a seafood place, but don't get confused. Those insanely addicting, bite-sized fish piled into dishes along the bar? They're pretzels, and as tasty as they are, as perfectly as they accompany one of the signature cocktails, pretzel fish are not the main draw here (though one can imagine they've ruined the appetite of many a well-intentioned diner).
The true star here is some of the best-prepared seafood south of 14th Street. Add to that the charming atmosphere throughout the restaurant's four separate dining spaces and the menu's reasonable prices, and it's no surprise the Mermaid Inn is an East Village darling.
Each of the dinning rooms has a distinct character: al fresco dining on heavily trafficked Second Avenue, if you're into that; the front room with a long bar and wooden tables; the back room, low-lit and the homiest of all; and the back garden area, a bit cramped, but you'll end up forgetting you're in the city at all.
There's a double cut pork chop on the menu, but ordering meat here is only slightly less sacrilegious than ordering the fish of the day at Peter Luger. From the raw bar to the yellow fin tuna tartar to the lobster roll to roasted cod with a luscious sweet pea risotto--you're here to dine on all the sea has to offer.
The kitchen is up to the challenge. Note the perfect brown sear on huge, succulent scallops in a spicy entrée of spaghetti with shrimp and minced anchovies. And while the danger of any lobster roll is that the meat will come so drowned in mayo you'll be lucky to taste any of the crustacean, the Inn's offering is a triumph: served on a burger-style brioche bun and surrounded by well-done fries, it's flavorful and meaty and won't give you a stomachache. There's also a super fresh, if somewhat small raw bar, with both East and West Coast oysters, little neck clams and jumbo lump blue crab.
Chef Jose Luis Martinez makes such strong choices, the few dishes that fail to measure up are confounding. Why plop a moist mahi mahi steak above a tomato broth that tastes no different from canned tomato soup? And the ratio of fried breading to chopped shrimp in an appetizer of fritters is out of whack--you'd be better served scooping out the meat and dipping that solo into the smoky chipotle aioli.
Don't ask for a dessert menu--the Inn doesn't have one. Everyone gets a small cup of velvety chocolate pudding--all the better to send diners home happy and turn the tables faster.
There is a small but fresh raw bar, mango and mint tuna tartar, spicy spaghetti w/ scallops and shrimp, an overflowing lobster roll--the Inn combines the freshest seafood with a kitchen that knows how to execute. Apps run $8-11, entrees $18-24.
Regarding the service everyone here is just plain nice, from the hosts up front doing their best to keep you happy while you wait for your table to the bartenders who manage to shake martinis with one hand while refilling your pretzel fish with the other.
The clientele is as diverse as the East Village itself. The four rooms each have a distinct character. The garden is romantic. The back room feels like a seaside cabin. The front room bustles. Eating outside on 2nd Ave is, well, eating outside on 2nd Ave.
I would recommend anything from the raw bar; Spaghetti with shrimp and scallops; Lobster roll.
Very solid dining experience, from delicious crab legs (come with butter and sauce) to the famed lobster sandwich (nee lobster roll) that is still as fresh and tasty as ever. Friendly and competent service - my friend didn't like one of the drinks that had been paid for at the bar, so a glass of wine came free. The drink that was sent back was one of the martinis, very bitter - skip it and enjoy the bloody mary instead.
The Mermaid Inn is a sweet little restaurant in the East Village with a nice patio and back dining area. Come for the happy hour, from 5 - 7 pm and receive the famous lobster roll for $6.00 less than the regular price. Included is a side of nicely seasoned fries and a drink.
Service was cordial and prompt and the complimentary choco pudding at the end of ones meal was a nice touch.
the other reviews for mermaid inn are really spot-on regarding the quality of food.
the lobster roll is great, and if you can get it during the special - even better.
the menu is small, but there is something for everyone and the daily specials add some variety.
the price-point is a little high for everyday eating, but i enjoy keeping this place for special occasions as i can always count on good service and great food.
I came here to satisfy a lobster roll craving that would not seem to go away.
When we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by the understated decor and ambiance. If I had to describe it in one word, I would use 'bistro', because that's what I immediately thought upon entering. The hostess showed us to a table in the back of the restaurant. The place itself is bigger than it looks from the outside.
We shared the fluke ceviche with homemade tortilla chips. It was outstanding. The fish was super fresh and the ceviche was studded with avocado bits. It was really refreshing! It was the best ceviche I've had in a while, and is definitely a must try!
I ordered the special --- a lobster sandwich, old bay seasoned fries and a beer for $20. I enjoyed the extra buttery, grilled brioche and at first bite, I thought the sandwich was tasty, albeit small.
Imagine my surprise when I was just slightly more than halfway through the sandwich, and I realized I was getting full rather quickly. The lobster salad mixture wasn't anything mind blowing. It had celery in it, which I abhor, and I thought there was far too much mayo. The lobster came in meaty chunks, and it would have been far more enjoyable with far less mayonnaise so that you could taste more of that delicious lobster. Still, I can't say I didn't enjoy it. It was rich and decadent. So rich, in fact, that at the halfway point, all that buttery goodness and creamy richness started seeming far too heavy and overwhelming.
The fries were great, but the beer was some sort of ale that was extremely bitter and just not my cup of tea.
Overall, not a bad version but definitely far from the best.
At $20, I wasn't complaining.
My boyfriend ordered the roasted skate with eggplant and potatoes. The skate had bones in it, which I'm not used to seeing. But, the portion was enormous, and the fish was perfectly cooked. I ended up picking bites off his plate and he proclaimed it to be the best skate he ever ordered.
Our meal ended with two complimentary espresso glasses filled with chocolate pudding and topped with whipped cream. A sweet, and satisfying end to our meal.
Our waiter was annoying. He kept coming by to check on us, which was great ... the first 3 times. After that, he seemed like a pain in the ass. But he was helpful about answering our questions, and was extremely polite and courteous throughout the meal.
A cute place to stop in for a bite when you find yourself in the East Village.
Big surprise, Yelp was right: The Mermaid Inn is incredible. Not only is the service superb, the atmosphere classy and hip, and the menu soaked with my drool - but they have a special deal here that should not be overlooked. Though I didn't see it advertised on my menu at the restaurant, if you dine before 7pm they offer a Blue Plate special for $20 that gives you a big, gorgeous lobster sandwich on a buttered bun, savory fries and a Blue Point Ale. It really can't be beat. In fact, after dining there last night I'm considering a return this week to introduce more friends to this darling restaurant on 2nd Ave. Our meal ended with a complimentary chocolate mousse cup and a fortune fish that determined I was "Passionate" and then 'In Love" .... a perfect description of my feelings for the Mermaid Inn.
Golly, I love this place. Besides having amazing food, they've got a delightful back garden where you can eat in the summertime.
My favorite, though, is to camp out at the bar with a glass of rosé and a sampling of whatever oysters are available for the evening (if you're lucky, kumomoto) with a couple of friends and the cool bartender.
The food - great, no complaints there. And even my 6 year would eat Mermaid Inn's salmon without a fight (big kudos there).
Here's my gripe. I called over the weekend to check if Mermaid Inn was still doing their Monday Night Lobster Roll special this Summer.
The person who took my reservation said they did so I said I'd like to make reservations for 7:00, party of 3. Only to discover, upon arrival, the special only runs from 5:30 - 7:00, no excuses, no compromises. Kinda a bummer.
I am with Byron W. in celebrating the lobster roll and Old Bay seasoning. I came in search of the blue plate special, and I wasn't disappointed. The roll was buttery and the special included a Blue Point beer (I love the Blueberry Ale, but can't remember if they had it). I went mid-week, and there was hardly anyone in the back of the restaurant. The one other pair there were actually conducting French lessons I think. I loved the decor- especially the lights on the wall that had magnifying glasses pressed against them!
The fortune fish were a wonderful touch to end the meal.
Now, the fish is always good. Simply prepared, its not fussy or overdone. Its just honest fish done well. But, I went last night for the blue crab special. Its 5 crabs boiled with corn on the cob and some small red potatoes. It was so damn good and fun to eat. The waiter came over, placed paper on the table and some mallets and then just dumps this delicious mess of crabs and sides on the table. You're then left to just go to town. Its so messy but a lot of fun to eat. Again, crab and sides are like the fish; not fussy and with no silly sauces.
So, whats the one complaint? The retarded service. A bus boy couldn't understand the concept of an extra plate. Yes, that's right, he didn't understand "can we get an extra plate?" He looked confused, then came back with a bowl?! Then I said, "no, a plate because we're sharing the grilled asparagus" (delicious) He looked even more confused (why?). And no, its not a language barrier. He was American born. Just a moron.
Mermaid Inn's lobster sandwich is proof that mayo, lobster, and butter are the most perfect threesome in the world. Though I missed the lobster sandwich special for 20 bucks, it was still worth the full price. I did not finish the accompanied fries which is not a good thing. The fries were too salty and though they have Cajun powder over them, there wasn't much flavor. Maybe they should experiment with herb fries instead. I know the Coffee Shop in Union Square have the perfect herb fries.
My friend had the seafood pasta with salad on top. She enjoyed it, but it lacked the wow factor. Overall it was a great dinner, but it lacked the piazza that I remembered from my first visit. The restaurant used to have a very unique beer selection. I guess with the economy going the way it is, they decided to removed their international selection and focus only on a few wines. Too bad ... I loved their Japanese beer with the happy cartoon whale on it.
This place was amazing! Interesting decor, attentive staff and wonderful food. What more could you ask for?!
My boyfriend and I sat in the garden out back which was quite romantic :-).
I ordered the lobster roll w/bay fries which I thought was pretty good but I was personally was turned off my the lobster salad. The lobster was absolutely perfect - tender and sweet but they added a bit of celery to the salad and I happen to detest the taste of celery but it was tasty.
My boyfriend ordered the Cod fish w/risotto - that was amazing - fished was cooked to perfection! I swear I wanted to eat all of his food!
For appetizers we ordered the Crab cakes - delicious and the Frisse & Beet salad which was also amazing.
They have a wonderful wine selection as well and our waitress was extremely helpful and made a suggestion which we were very satisfied with. We will be back here very soon!
Just thinking about this place gets me excited! My husband and I went here after reading and hearing all about the Blue Plate Special (M-F 5pm - 7pm). I expected an overly mayo lobster club and a beer I would hate. Oh my was I surprised and in for a treat!
I had the best lobster club I ever had at the Mermaid Inn. It was just delicious! The Blue Point beer was tasty as well, especially for a fan of Miller Lite or Corona! We also treated ourselves to appetizers while we were here, including the shrimp cocktail and the crabcake, both of which were divine. The restaurant also treats you to a little dessert on them. Their drink and dining menu offered a decent amount of items to choose from.
The atmosphere is great as well. It 's a cute little place for friends or a date. It reminds me a seashore inn with modern charm. What's great is you look outside and see the bustling city, so you kind of get the best of both worlds. I can't wait to go back!
The vibe in this restaurant is worth 5 stars, but I had to bring it down a couple of notches because I was kind of bored with the food.
We started with fresh oysters from the raw bar, which weren't bad (although I encountered some graininess, which is icky). However, I'm not sure why everyone raves so much about this "signature" lobster sandwich... for a $26 sandwich I was expecting to be blown away, but I thought it was only OK. Sure, it's lobster; it should be $26, right? Not for previously frozen lobster drowned in mayo! I think the blue-plate special advertised on Yelp - $20 for a lobbie sandie and a beer before 7 PM - is getting closer to the value of this sandwich.
Still, this place was suuuper cute and I was really feeling the ambiance and service. My boyfriend and I went for his b-day, and they brought us each a complimentary dessert, which gains them some serious bonus points. (Thanks, Mermaid Inn!) The wine list was decent, but next time I think I'll dabble with the cocktail menu because it listed some yummo-looking drinks. Yes, despite my snooze-inducing experience with the sandwich, I'll be back... but next time, I'll opt for fish.
CORRECTION: In reading the other reviews, it's come to my attention that this complimentary "b-day" dessert is something they give to everyone... They tricked me by adorning my boyfriend's dessert with a candle! My gratitude expressed above is hereby retracted, Mermaid Inn. Ugh.
Ironically, this review isn't really about what I had at Mermaid Inn. It's more about what I didn't have, and how that allowed me to have the pleasant experience I had at this nice establishment.
We were a rowdy group of 6 coming in on a Wednesday night from all different parts of the day -- some had eaten, some hadn't, and some wanted to eat but not that much. We were pretty clear about this upon entering the restaurant, but no one there really cared or batted an eye and we were seated promptly. It was nice to skip that "Well, if you aren't all eating, you can't sit in the dining room" conversation I've had at other places and just be shown to a table. I was one who had eaten and wished I hadn't, because as soon as I saw the menu and the extensive list of oysters I knew I would love the food. Thus denied, my eye wandered to the cocktail menu, and that too piqued my interest. Their Bloody Mary was highly recommended by my friend and I loved the fact that it came with a little skewered shrimp. They also had a spicy dirty martini which also sounded yummy. I was not in the mood for a salty cocktail though, so I just got a fruity prosecco type drink and it was good.
My friends ordered the lobster roll and said it was amazing. The oysters, too, looked great and were also very appreciated at the table. What I appreciated most, though, was that even though three of my friends shared a lobster roll and I had nothing to eat at all, we weren't treated rudely in the least. The service very attentive and it seemed that numerous people kept stopping by to refresh cocktails, bring us ketchup and refill our waters. The end of the meal was what impressed me most, however. Even though I hadn't eaten, I was brought the free chocolate pudding dessert along with everyone else at the table. I thought that was a nice touch. In addition, after the waiter overheard us talking about the Fortune Fish, he brought them to the table and apologized for forgetting. The Fortune Fish is just a little gimmicky thing they do at the end of the meal, sure, but it's fun and it was sweet that the waiter cared enough to bring them by after hearing our conversation.
I loved the decor of the restaurant -- it was casual but dark and romantic. You could come here with friends or a date, and even though the vibe is festive, the tone is subdued. It's a comfortable place and the prices are reasonable.
So I hope you don't mind that I wrote this review just to say thanks to the Mermaid Inn for being a welcoming, fun establishment even though we probably weren't their most profitable table of the evening. It really showed that they cared more about earning our repeat business than making a quick buck, and it worked. I will be back, I will bring more people with me and I will try the food!
LOBSTER ROLL, LOBSTER ROLL, LOBSTER ROLL!!!
Love the old bay seasoned fries, I think I'm addicted to them. I go maybe once a month and I cant get passed ordering the lobster roll.
My girlfriend, and friends seem to think everything else they've tried was great too. But I just can't get passed the lobster roll...
The blue plate special is outstanding here. It's not just for the valuable price, but for the high quality of food that you get for the price ($20). The Lobster roll and old bay fries were incredible!!!! This was an experience that ranked really high with me, and I loved their decor and atmosphere. When the weather brightens and warms up, I'd love to go back and have a nice meal in their backyard seating area which was quaint and quite romantic-looking!
The service was quick and efficient, also very friendly. Thumbs up to the waitress that gave me -- upon request -- a few more slithers of the "magical fish"... and definitely nice touch on the complimentary cups of chocolate mousse as a result of not having a dessert menu. Everything I ate here was absolutely superb.
Great for a casual dinner with friends, or even a more intimate setting with a special someone.
My mom loves this restaurant. We always take her to the Mermaid Inn for her birthday or Mother's Day dinner. To be quite honest their food has always been consistsntly well prepared and delicious. The portions are perfect for the individual and for sharing via family style, which is how we always dine. Their menu changes with each season but they always have the lobster roll. The menu offerings includes mostly fish like mahi mahi, shrimp and scallop scampi, salmon, and skate. Appetizers also offers seafood like salmon tartar, chowders, and raw bar. Non seafood offerings includes light and refreshing salads and for the entrees, they offer chicken, steak, and pork chops. You should check their website for the latest menu.
On Mondays they end your delicious dinner with a complimentary dessert. For the last five years that we have been coming here we have ended our satisfying meals with chocolate pudding. One year, they offered lemon pudding. This evening, we got mini cupcakes from famed bakery, Magnolia Bakery. People form lines around the corner to buy their decadent cakes at their shop in the West Village.
The staff are attentive and very friendly.
I highly recommend dining here if you're in the East Village. It's a fantastic seafood restaurant that's not anywhere near the sea.
PS - my mom loves their french fries dipped with cocktail sauce.
Mmmmmm...yummy. Lobster roll.
I went with some girlfriends for an early dinner which worked out great because they had an early bird special that night with the lobster roll and a beer for like $21. We started off with some raw oysters, which i thought were excellent. They had a nice variety and they were all really fresh and really good. The lobster roll was good, and definitely filling. The french fries were excellent.
The Mermaid Inn had a nice atmosphere, cozy and casual, very low key. This would be a great place to come and unwind with some good food. I'm a fan, I'll be back.
I really enjoyed my dinner at The Mermaid Inn (East Village Location.) This medium sized restaurant is decorated with nice dark wood and is not over done or ostentatious in any way. The front has some tables and a pretty hopping bar scene and the back, just tables. Our waitress couldn't have been nicer and service was great throughout the meal.
They have a very nice cocktail and wine list, with some interesting and different drinks. I had a pear and ginger martini, made with Grey Goose Poire, Cognac, and ginger, which was light and not too sweet.
My table all shared the Yellow fin Tuna Tartar, which was very high quality tuna, not fishy at all, chopped into relatively large pieces for a tartar. With the tuna is scallian, avocado, orange slices and cayenne potato chips for texture. A really nice start to our meals.
Two of us at the table (including me) ordered the Pan Roasted Codfish, which was perfectly prepared and served with spinach risotto, Parmesan, and sundried tomato pesto. I was slightly concerned when I ordered that the sun dried tomato pesto would be too overwhelming. However, it was served encircling the risotto, so, you could get a perfect small amount in each delicious bite. We both really loved this dish. Our other friend ordered the Grilled Mahi Mahi, served with rosemary mash and truffled onion broth. She enjoyed the whole dish and also thought the fish was cooked well. I tasted the mashed potatoes which were good and not overwhelmingly rosemary.
When we finished out meals, we were given tiny teacups of chocolate pudding and a fish fortune teller. The few bites of chocolate pudding was the perfect chocolaty end to our meals and the fortune telling fish was a fun and whimsical.
I really liked The Mermaid Inn and look forward to coming back. They have a nice special if you come before 7pm. The Lobster Sandwich and a Blue Point Beer for $20. A great deal since the Lobster Sandwich is usually $26 without the beer. I do like a good Lobster Sandwich, so maybe next time I will try to come early and take part in the deal.
A very cute place for fish. It's a good date restaurant, a place to take the parents or for a nice dinner with friends.
I started with a cocktail: the Inn's Fashioned (maker's mark, fresh orange and cinnamon). The sounds good, but frankly I was disappointed by it. I don't really know what happened to the orange or cinnamon, or even the Maker's Mark for that matter. My cocktail tasted like what I'd imagine it would taste like were you to drink the melted ice, after the first cocktail had already been consumed. It had the faint taste of bourbon, faint orange, no cinnamon and mostly water. I was not happy about it.
That was the anomaly though. The food was great. The three of us shared the tuna tartare to start, which was served with avocado and homemade potato chips and was very tasty. I followed that with the codfish, served with spinach risotto and sundried tomato paste. It was amazing. The sweet/saltiness of the sundried tomatoes was a great compliment to the creaminess of the risotto. The fish was perfectly cooked and all in all it was great.
Another nice thing about the Mermaid Inn is that all meals are followed with a cute little ramekin of homemade chocolate pudding topped with a little whipped cream. It's cute, it's tasty. I like it. That also comes with one of those red fish things that you put in the palm of your hand and based on its movements, you're either passionate, false, in love etc. Mine always, always curls up tightly - making me passionate. I'm just thankful I don't prompt it to mean "Dead One" -- because that would be really troubling and require countless hours of future therapy to overcome.
Oh! And one final note: for the month of February they're doing a little early bird recession dinner thing before 7pm that offers a lobster roll and a Blue Point ale for a total of $20. I will definitely be returning for this, especially since the lobster roll itself is typically $26 on the menu.
Word.
My friends and I went to this place when we were on the verge of starvation so it may have affected my review a little, but I trust my taste buds!
The Lobster Bisque - delicious! And there're nice chunks of lobster in the soup! For appetizer we also ordered half a dozen oysters (half E and half W since I forgot which ones I liked better...) and the mussels. The oysters were better than the mussels, very fresh and tasty. The lobster sandwich though... is the #1 thing on my list! You just have to have it! It has a perfect mix of lobster and mayo and other veggies, and of course it's the most expensive thing on the menu (I think). The salad on spaghetti was quite good. The whole grilled trout was a bit bland, but I guess that's why they have little salt dishes on the tables. I think it's rather wasteful though... because they have to through away all the leftover salt each time. They should just put a salt and pepper set (the pepper's already there) to avoid having to waste all that salt. But I digress. The food was great! Mostly fresh (a few of the mussels were fishy, and some of them were empty!!!) and very tasty.
The waiters and hostess were wonderful. Service was superb and everyone was so friendly. They gave us a table but it was near the door and a bit chilly so we asked them for another table inside. They were very quick to accommodate our needs and very nice about it.
There's also the free chocolate mousse and the cute little fish fortune telling toy thingie. Although we were quite confused as to how to use it, they really showed themselves to be service and customer oriented and I definitely appreciate that in a restaurant!
The bright side of the recession: Lobster Roll + a beer for dinner for only $20!!!
I couldn't believe my ears! And yes, it is every bit as scrumptious as I remembered...
I only wish the waiter told us about this deal with the free beer before we ordered cocktails. Tricky way to add more alochol $$$ to the tab! But eh - an extra beer never hurt anyone...
The Mermaid Inn is a well rounded great experience! Great waitstaff and the hosts/hostesses were… Read more »
I consider Mermaid Inn is the go-to place for fresh fish, oysters, and of course the lobster sandwich.
Chunks of lobster in light mayo, overflowing on a grilled bun (smothered in butter I think) + old bay fries - in my humble opinion Mermaid Inn bests both Pearl's Oyster Bar and Ed's Lobster Bar.
Given the lobster roll is a lobster sandwich here - the larger bun means more room for lobster!
If you aren't big on lobster - go for the sauteed skate or the pan roasted mahi-mahi. Both are quite light and flaky - and most all Mermaid Inn succeeds in eliminating the dreaded "fishy" taste.
If you are an oyster fan - Mermaid Inn offers both East and West Coast oysters.
Finally, interestingly Mermaid Inn does not have a dessert menu.
Before you have an outburst of rage at the idea of no dessert...the restaurant surprises you with complimentary homemade chocolate mousse. Delicious and perfectly sized in tiny espresso cups.
For fun - Mermaid Inn leaves you and your partner each with a little red Fortune Teller Miracle fish that curls at the ends depending on your mood. A great conversation starter for a first date :)
I know I'm probably not describing it well - you'll just have to go see it for yourself!
The Mermaid Inn lived up to its Yelp reviews. A quiet unassuming restaurant. Small menu, but with big taste. Went in not knowing what exactly to expect, but was very pleasantly surprised.
Ordered a calamari appetizer. It had an amazing tomato/jicama salsa on top. My dad ordered the salmon, which looked excellent, but with too little much of the sauce on top. My mom ordered the codfish. The risotto the fish sat upon was creamy and had just the right amount of flavour that it didn't overpower the cod.
My friend ordered the shrimp and avocado sandwich, which had a very nice toasted bun. I don't know if I'd order a sandwich at dinner, but I thought it was a nice choice.
I ended up ordering the Sunday special -- shrimp, scallops, calamari on spaghetti with a spicy marinara sauce. It was delicious. Enough said. I would probably order it again if I went back on a Sunday.
The awesome fortune telling fish (made in Taiwan!) was uhhh interesting. So I use awesome loosely. Considering my dad's fortune was "false" I have no idea what that means.
Since there is no dessert menu, they give everyone an expresso cup of chocolate mousse. Yum!
Confession: I had never eaten lobster rolls before coming here.. I now love lobster rolls.
Came with a beautiful lady for the special on Tuesdays before 7pm: lobster roll and fries, and Blue Point Toasted Lager for $20, yum.
We started off with the Seared Diver Scallops, recommended by the waittress which were amazing; there were only 3 but totally worth it. The lobster rolls did not disappoint either. I don't have anything to compare them to but not overly seasoned, the taste of the lobster came through nicely, and the roll, brioche (not sure), was light and delicious. The seasoned fries were nicely crisped and I cleaned my plate... because I have a pit in my stomach that can never be filled.
A little pricey, but perfect for a date, highly recommend.
Went for drinks. Nice atmosphere and the food looked incredible. Would go back.
Just slightly expensive but very good food.
Not sure what I can add to the gazillion reviews, but I will say that their new "Blue Plate Special" is pretty awesome. I brought a book, went belly up and enjoyed a lobster sandwich with fries and a beer for $20. Staff were super helpful (and cute!). I'll be back.
OH, I should mention. The BPS is offered every day from 530-7 (5 on Sundays).
I had the Lobster Sandwich with old bay fries and a Blue Point Toasted Lager. Excellent. I really like how the bun buttery, and how the chunks lobster meat came together with the sauce. The old bay fries weren't overly seasoned, though I wish I had a bit more seasoning. Go before 7pm to get the blue plate special.
One of my favorite places to have dinner. It can be a sweet romantic place to take a date or a place to chill with and old friend and catch up. I've done both here.
The outside garden is beautiful and cozy. The food is reliable and always good. They change the menu seasonally which is exciting because they keep it fresh and new BUT it sucks because my favorite dish didn't stay around for long.
I hope they bring it back. It was scallops with a cream truffle sauce (yeah that good) with pureed turnips (trust me those were excellent as well) and sauteed spinach. One of the BEST meals I've ever had.
Really good seafood and a great atmosphere. I've been twice now and had a great experience each time. The bloody mary with an old bay rim and jumbo shrimp is delish. They also have a nice but not overwhelming wine selection.
For food, the skillet roasted mussels are very simple, but tender and flavorful just with butter. I'm from New England and am used to a classic lobster roll, but the lobster sandwich was very good, big chunks of lobster and not too much mayo. I also had the soft shell crab special and really enjoyed it as well.
They give everyone a fortune telling fish at the end of the meal which is a good conversation starter. I'm also not a big dessert person, so I didn't mind that they didn't have dessert offerings, but the complimentary chocolate mousse was also a nice touch!
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Category: Seafood
Neighborhood: East Village
Category: Seafood
Neighborhood: West Village
Category: Seafood
Neighborhood: West Village
Category: Seafood
Neighborhood: West Village
Category: Seafood
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