Dish Spotting: New York’s Best Soft Shell Crab Dishes
Ramps are so last week. So we’ve moved on to our other favorite, fleeting, super-seasonal ingredient: Soft Shell Crabs. (We get excited just thinking about them!) Soft Shell crabs refers to blue crabs that have been removed from the water as soon as they molt (thus preventing any further hardening of their shell), the entire crustacean can be eaten; save for its mouth, gills, and abdomen. Super tender and utterly sweet, they’re absolutely scrumptious sautéed or (even better) deep-fried. And while we’ve never met a soft shell crab we didn’t like, we’re rounding up some of our very favorite restaurant dishes around — from the Everything Spice-Crusted Crabs at Delicatessen to Marc Forgione’s Soft Shell Crab Tempura at American Cut and the Soft Shell Ramen Burger at Dassara.
American Cut
Instead of a thick breadcrumb crust, Marc Forgione batters his soft shells in a lighter-than-air Tempura at his Tribeca steakhouse, American Cut, swiped with a tangy, preserved Meyer lemon remoulade.
Read MoreColicchio & Sons
Tom Colicchio recently instituted a small plates only menu at his restaurant, so be sure to order the Soft Shell Crab special to share — simply sautéed, and flavored with fresh fennel and toasty, vibrantly-colored saffron.
Read MoreBodega Negra
Executive Chef Michael Armstrong is taking his soft shell crabs south-of-the-border at Bodega Negra in the Dream Downtown hotel; deposited in Tacos along with creamy guacamole, shredded lettuce and chipotle aioli, or piled into overstuffed Tortas with crunchy chipotle slaw and guacamole on a cushy potato bun.
Read MoreDassara
This quirky Brooklyn ramen shop is collaborating with the shellfish purveyor, Aqua Best, on Asian-style seafood boil pop-ups, held throughout the summer. But since soft shell crabs will only appear for a few short weeks in spring, you’ll want to visit now for the Soft Shell Ramen Burger topped with arugula, or the Soft Shell Crab Basket, containing crustaceans flavored with lime leaf, togarashi and chili oil, and served with seaweed tempura.
Read MoreGrand Central Oyster Bar
They’re making a big deal of soft shell crab season at Grand Central Oyster Bar, which means you can expect to see them on the menu from now through September. Their current, not-to-be-missed soft shell dish features Fried Maryland Jumbo Soft Shell Crabs, served over cheesy grits with mushrooms, applewood smoked bacon, and tasso ham-corn sauce.
Read MoreBlue Water Grill
There’s a duo of soft shell specials at this classically elegant restaurant, steps away from the Union Square Greenmarket. Try the Japanese Soft Shell Crab Maki, with avocado, cucumber, tobiko and stone crab sauce, or an ultra-American Soft Shell Crab BLT, layered with lettuce, tomato, applewood smoked bacon, and ramp tartar sauce.
Read MoreRacines
Chef Frederic Duca is currently offering Soft Shell Crab as an appetizer; coated in tempura batter, seasoned with lemon jus and pimento d’espelette, and served with black garlic aioli, green salad and pickled ramps.
Read MoreDelicatessen
The Soft Shell Crab Sandwiches at this elevated comfort food eatery have serious NYC attitude; rolled in “everything bagel” spice, topped with pickled onions, and finished with a bacon and chive “schmear.”
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