The Crab Shanty

With its blue neon lights and green-tinted mirrors, The Crab Shanty pulls off a seafood version of Dallas BBQ, with its partially enclosed booths flanked by ocean-themed stained-glass partitions. Located in a shingle-clad "shack"—its name displayed on a jaunty hillbilly sign—this joint on City Island's main drag holds promise. Just don't be put off by waitresses' warnings that hard shell crabs "are a lot of work." You didn't come all the way to the Bronx to take the easy way out. Ignore all the suckers wolfing down crab-leg combos, tie on your plastic bib, and settle in for the long haul. For a little over 20 bucks, you get a dozen blue crabs in a choice of four styles: Baltimore, garlic, steamed and swimming in red sauce, plus soup or salad and a starchy side. A sprinkling of earthy Old Bay accompanied by a baked potato seals the deal. The grilled lobster is solid, but the baked clams are so succulent you might want to forgo crustaceans altogether.

See more:

City Island restaurants, New York restaurants, Bronx restaurants, Seafood restaurants