BWW Preview: CITY CRAB SHACK in Union Square

City Crab Shack is a retrofitted version of the 23-year-old Park Avenue South institution City Crab & Seafood Company. The relocated restaurant brings together classic Chesapeake Bay crab shack decor and style right in the heart of Union Square. City Crab Shack serves up the freshest daily seafood for lunch and dinner in a casual and relaxed atmosphere.

Restaurateurs Andrew Silverman and Dean Palin are the collaborators behind City Crab Shack. Silverman, a 1977 Culinary Institute of America alum, has had a long-standing history of opening successful restaurants within Manhattan for the past 30 years.

City Crab Shack features a well-crafted menu of neo-classic seafood dishes like Aunt Rae's Maryland Crab Soup, "Down East" Lobster Rolls, NOLA "French Quarter" Blue Crab Beignets and Pan Seared Day-Boat Sea Scallops. Silverman personally scours and sources the new Fulton Fish Market in Hunt's Point daily to bring seafood from the docks of the Eastern Shores to his guests' tables.

The cocktail menu focuses on modern day interpretations of classic cocktails, each with a nautical twist. Langunitas and Stella Artois can be found on tap with PBR and Narragansett beers available by the can. Wine is also served by the bottle and glass. Happy Hour is offered Monday to Friday from 3:30pm to 7pm and 9pm to close with specialty priced beer, wine, cocktails and oysters.

Commercial set designer Anna Niedermeyer brought City Crab Shack to life with bright red booths and an oversized tank filled with the freshest crabs and lobster providing a tantalizing focal point for diners. Seaside décor can be found in every corner of the restaurant from the carefully sourced brightly colored buoys that hang from the ceiling, to the oars and fisherman's spears that adorn the walls.

City Crab Shack is located in Union Square at 10 East 16th Street. The restaurant seats 90 with a private dining room that can fit up to 30 guests. Seasonal outside café seating will also be available. They are open Monday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. For more information, call 212.529.3800 or visit http://www.citycrabshack.com/.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of City Crab Shack