Marea
240 Central Park South
New York, NY 10019
(212) 582-5100
With a wide variety of savory seafood dishes to choose from, Marea’s menu reads more like an oceanography textbook than a fine-dining affair. Marea (meaning “tide” in Italian) offers cuisine from all over Italy’s coastline. Chef Michael White prepares the best shellfish and pasta dishes in town. Marea isn’t just a haute spot for seafood. Beverage Director Francesco Grosso ensures each guest has the perfect wine to complement his or her dish.
Le Bernardin
155 West 51st St.
New York, NY 10019
(212) 554-1515
With impressive accolades and some of the freshest fish in the world (yes, the world) Le Bernardin is NYC’s hautest spot for a seafood soiree. Le Bernardin opened its doors to New York in 1986, and Chef Eric Ripert has been at the helm for 16 years. From its warm lobster Carpaccio with snow peas and shiitake, to its delectable desserts, Le Bernardin offers the most expertly prepared seafood dishes in the city. It’s one of only seven restaurants in New York to hold a three star Michelin rating and has held four stars from the New York Times since it opened.
Catch
21 9th Ave.
New York, NY 10014
(212) 392-5978
This large and trendy spot keeps the dishes and the scene fresh. The crowd is as young and hip as the restaurant itself, which opened in October 2011. The dining experience is urbane and fluid. Guests are encouraged to share dishes, thus keeping the experience relaxed and social. Top Chef winner Hung Huynh serves whole red snapper, Dungeness Crab Tagliatelle and Flying Fish Roe. With decor that is unmistakably New York modern, Catch is a spot to see and be seen as you like your plate.
Esca
402 West 43rd St.
New York, NY 10036
(212) 564-7272
Mario Batali (famous for hotspots Babbo and Lupa ) hits another home run with Esca. With a focus on southern Italian seafood, Esca offers fresh crudo (Italian sashimi) and high quality pastas at a beautifully understated Hell’s Kitchen location that’s convenient to the Theater District and ideal for a pre-curtain call meal. Whether you’re in the mood for spaghetti with chiles or a whole fish cooked in sea salt, make sure to come with your appetite. Esca is a dream for any true Italian fisherman.
Pearl Oyster Bar
18 Cornelia St. # 2
New York, NY 10014
(212) 691-8211
While the rest of the entries on this list pay homage to Europe and Asia, the homey Pearl Oyster Bar and its chef Rebecca Charles look to nearby New England for inspiration. The Maine-via-West Village eatery has attracted mobs for years, but it’s worth the wait to enjoy unpretentious comfort food staples like New England Clam Chowder and hefty Lobster Rolls in the airy interior. Also don’t miss the mussels in mustard cream.
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