Stars: ***
Price: $$$
Weirdness factor: 3.5
Popei's Clam Bar
451 Middle Country Rd, Coram, New York, United States
Located smack-dab in the middle of Long Island, Popei's is about the localest of seafood joints you'll find. This place is particularly good if you're in the mood for a low-key, family-style seafood atmosphere, but the reasonable prices are really the main draw.
Although we were there on "ribs night", Popei's has a different all-you-can-eat special every day of the week. They're particularly renowned around here for their $30 snow crab leg special, on Tuesday and/or Wednesday. It's probably a good idea to check their website ahead of time to find out what the special will be for the night you plan to visit.
All the dishes are served in large, family-style portions; they can definitely be taken home in a doggie bag for the next day's lunch.
We each had a (decently priced) local draft beer, and the fried oyster appetizer (which was my favorite of the items we ordered). The oysters were large and juicy, the fry coating was light and not greasy at all.
As for entrees, I was less impressed. I had the Stuffed Eggplant (eggplant stuffed with shrimp, scallops, sealegs, broccoli, & ricotta cheese then topped with marinara & mozzarella)and my friend had "Mike's Unforgettable" (tortellini in a cajun alfredo sauce with shrimp, scallops, sealegs & veggies).
In case you were wondering, "sealegs" is just a euphemistic term for "fake krab meat", and I'm sorry to say it comprised the majority of the "seafood" in my dish. Hers was a little better, as she had visible tortellini, but I was hard pressed to find a single piece of eggplant until after 5 minutes of digging way to the bottom of the hot mess that comprised my dinner plate. To be fair, I wasn't really that hungry; if I had been, perhaps I could've given a more positive review. But I barely touched my food (I was a little turned off by the "sealegs", honestly) and gave the leftovers to my family. I think next time, try to stick to the basics (fried shrimp, fra diavolo whatever) and stay away from anything smothered with melted mozzarella, as you can't see what you're eating (maybe they do that on purpose...?).
On the upside, they do have a huge menu: if it swims in the ocean, Popei's probably carries it. They also have a "landlubbers" menu for those who don't eat seafood. Another high point is their full bar and outdoor seating area. The drinks are priced pretty well, you can smoke out there (which, believe me, is very important to the regulars), and the service was excellent. Our waitress was friendly and seemed shockingly normal compared to the roughness of Popei's' patrons.
The clientele, as you may imagine, is comprised only of locals. Think: 45-year-old-townies looking for a good time. Whether you like this kind of atmosphere is moot- on a Friday or Saturday evening, be prepared to deal with loads of drunk, possibly rowdy, but ultimately fun-loving bargoers. If you're not really into that kind of scene, the indoor dining area is decidedly more low-key and family friendly than the outdoor tiki bar, so make sure you sit inside if that's the case.
All in all, Popei's is reasonably priced, for both food and drinks. Seafood restaurants are getting more and more expensive and Popei's manages to keep the costs down. There are so many chain-alternatives, such as Red Lobster, that it is tempting to ignore local places like this. But if you're in central Long Island, and you're in the mood for seafood in a relaxed atmosphere, Popei's Clam Bar is definitely worth a visit.
Showing posts with label ambience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ambience. Show all posts
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Beast - Beastly good deals in Park Slope
Stars: *****
Price: $$$
Weirdness factor: .5
Beast
638 Bergen Street, Brooklyn, New York, United States
We were craving a drink and a nosh on St. Patrick's Day. So, from an offhand referral through a friend (and Park Slope local), we decided to try Beast. We headed there originally because of the catchy name, but the outside decor lured us in, the staff was super-friendly, and we never looked back.
A cozy, eccentric little watering hole-slash-eatery-slash-tapas bar, Beast is kitchy yet tasteful; deliciously nouveau-Brooklyn. I loved it.
The entire "kitchen" (tiny and probably smaller than the one you have at home) is set smack in the middle of the dining room; you can see exactly what's going on and exactly who's cooking, at all times. It was quite unlike anything I'd ever seen before, and it really added to the communal, homey, anti-yuppie feel of the place. I imagine on extremely slow nights it's kind of like being at your friend's house during a laid-back dinner party. And I don't know about you, but that's an experience I'd like to have again and again.
The brews on tap are another of Beast's points of interest: Grimbergen, Weihenstephan, Krusovice, and "Peak Organic" Pale ale aren't beers you see at your everyday bar.
Refreshingly moderate in price, the limited menu consists of smaller, cheaper appetizers and considerably larger appetizers (big enough to be entrees anywhere else). Furthermore, we didn't see a single item over $20, which is "kind of a big deal" for NYC, even in Brooklyn.
The "Big B's" burger was thick, moist and delicious. The exorbitant $2 fee for an addition of cheese is only there so that the management can discourage you from "detracting from the way the burger was meant to be"... oh and FYI, they're right, it's wonderful just the way it is, so don't ask for cheese!
The garlicky bleu cheese potato salad was equally tasty.
My warm grilled flatbread (thick, charred, and soft) with black bean hummus and chipotle aioli was delicious; at $5 I can't think of a better New York deal.
The whole environment at Beast is charming; there's an archaic video game in one corner while silent movies play on tv in the other; the management even throws a basketball game in for good measure (or political correctness, take your pick). Gargoyles, fairies, even a jackalope head adorn the walls and the music is "ambient"... a good mix of loungy background(and some classic) tracks which can only be described as I describe the entirety of Beast itself; that is to say, well... pretty cool.
It's a shame we didn't try their holiday-inspired corned beef and cabbage, as I'm sure it would've been great. Oh well, next time... and there WILL be a next time! Time Out NY voted Beast "Best New Restaurant" in Brooklyn, and for good reason... check it out if you happen to swing that way!
Price: $$$
Weirdness factor: .5
Beast
638 Bergen Street, Brooklyn, New York, United States
We were craving a drink and a nosh on St. Patrick's Day. So, from an offhand referral through a friend (and Park Slope local), we decided to try Beast. We headed there originally because of the catchy name, but the outside decor lured us in, the staff was super-friendly, and we never looked back.
A cozy, eccentric little watering hole-slash-eatery-slash-tapas bar, Beast is kitchy yet tasteful; deliciously nouveau-Brooklyn. I loved it.
The entire "kitchen" (tiny and probably smaller than the one you have at home) is set smack in the middle of the dining room; you can see exactly what's going on and exactly who's cooking, at all times. It was quite unlike anything I'd ever seen before, and it really added to the communal, homey, anti-yuppie feel of the place. I imagine on extremely slow nights it's kind of like being at your friend's house during a laid-back dinner party. And I don't know about you, but that's an experience I'd like to have again and again.
The brews on tap are another of Beast's points of interest: Grimbergen, Weihenstephan, Krusovice, and "Peak Organic" Pale ale aren't beers you see at your everyday bar.
Refreshingly moderate in price, the limited menu consists of smaller, cheaper appetizers and considerably larger appetizers (big enough to be entrees anywhere else). Furthermore, we didn't see a single item over $20, which is "kind of a big deal" for NYC, even in Brooklyn.
The "Big B's" burger was thick, moist and delicious. The exorbitant $2 fee for an addition of cheese is only there so that the management can discourage you from "detracting from the way the burger was meant to be"... oh and FYI, they're right, it's wonderful just the way it is, so don't ask for cheese!
The garlicky bleu cheese potato salad was equally tasty.
My warm grilled flatbread (thick, charred, and soft) with black bean hummus and chipotle aioli was delicious; at $5 I can't think of a better New York deal.
The whole environment at Beast is charming; there's an archaic video game in one corner while silent movies play on tv in the other; the management even throws a basketball game in for good measure (or political correctness, take your pick). Gargoyles, fairies, even a jackalope head adorn the walls and the music is "ambient"... a good mix of loungy background(and some classic) tracks which can only be described as I describe the entirety of Beast itself; that is to say, well... pretty cool.
It's a shame we didn't try their holiday-inspired corned beef and cabbage, as I'm sure it would've been great. Oh well, next time... and there WILL be a next time! Time Out NY voted Beast "Best New Restaurant" in Brooklyn, and for good reason... check it out if you happen to swing that way!
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