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A breezy East Village fish house worth waiting in line for.

The Scene
Mismatched maritime photos and framed maps decorate white walls; wine-sippers and diners who'd rather stay put and dig in than wait for a table pack the bar nightly. Despite the casual, come-as-you-are air, there's an easy refinement to the place. In fact, it feels so much like a misplaced West Village restaurant that diners could easily mistake the place for Mary's or Pearl.

The Food
Whatever you do, don't miss the fried oysters; barely cooked and paired with a simple tomato butter, they're perfection. Dip lovers won't be disappointed with the blue crab version, and the clam fritters aren't too shabby, either. Entrees, though, are the high point. Catalan seafood stew, packed with lobster, scallops and cod, is spicy and excellent, as are the scallops in a bacon-butter sauce. Dinner ends with a demitasse cup of pudding--a sweet and appropriately simple ending.

Opentable Reservations

New York's favorite fish house serves up classic seafood specialties in a relaxed and comfortable setting. Danny Abrams' flagship Mermaid Inn, dubbed an inexpensive version of Le Bernardin by New York Magazine -- features a cozy, secluded garden in back, sidewalk café in the front and a dining room that's always buzzing. The cuisine and the décor are sure to bring back your favorite memories of New England. Belly up to the bar and wash down some ice cold oysters with expertly crafted cocktails, or drop by between 5:30 – 7:00pm for our Blue Plate Special. And if you love wine, The Mermaid's well selected wine list means you'll find some gems and some splurges that won't break the bank.

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