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FOODIE
Stuffed To The Gills At
Legal Sea Foods
By Luann & Lou / foodie@longislandernews.com
The food philosophy at Legal Sea Foods is not like that of
any other place we’ve ventured recently. The Legal Sea
Foods group says it is not a restaurant selling fish. Rather,
it is a fish company in the restaurant business.
Located at the south end of the Walt Whitman Mall, Legal Sea
Foods is where fresh is the name of the game and skimping
on quality and portions is not an option. The chain’s
roots lie in Massachusetts where, in 1968, the Berowitz family
opened their first seafood restaurant in the legal district
right next to the family’s fish market. Now under the
leadership of Roger Berkowitz, Legal Sea Foods operates 30
restaurants, about half of which are in the Boston area; the
Huntington Station one opened in 2000.
High ceilings and waterfall structures amidst sea greens and
calming, pleasant blues provide a soothing, open atmosphere
for Legal’s patrons.
We took a seat for a Friday lunch among a decent mix of shoppers
and business people and perused the lunch menu as we sipped
on refreshing homemade pomegranate lemonade ($3.50). We were
told that, while many dishes at the different Legal Sea Foods
restaurants are prepared more or less the same, chefs have
the opportunity to experiment with the specials and lunch
creations. The lunch menu offered tremendous flexibility,
both in choice and price, from the raw seafood bar, tuna burgers
and lobster rolls to salads and smaller versions of typical
dinner entreés.
Our waiter Christian started us off with a duo of warm, creamy
soups to wake our palate. We wished the Clam Chowder ($4.50
cup/$6.50 bowl) came in a never-ending bowl. The clams come
tender and plump, not chewy in the slightest, with just the
right amount of potatoes and celery so that the vegetables
don’t take over the soup. The Lobster Bisque ($6.95/$9.95)
is just as tasty. The bisque comes in a pitcher and is poured
into a cup over pieces of lobster right before your eyes.
Next up for us was a pair of standout appetizers. Steamed
Shrimp Wontons ($8.95) come stuffed to the brim alongside
seaweed salad. We were so impressed by how well prepared they
were that we had to ask general manager Adam Bernstein the
secret, which apparently is “the wonton lady” –
the woman behind the magic whose sole job it is to make the
wontons.
For all your calamari crazies out there, the Crispy Montauk
Calamari ($10.95) should be right up your alley. We sampled
the trio – a combination of regular batter dipped, Thai
style and Rhode Island style. Tender does not even begin to
describe how perfectly cooked all are. Thai style calamari
come drenched in a tangy sweet and spicy sauce with peanuts
and bursts of pineapple. Rhode Island style calamari sits
in garlic butter topped with hot cherry peppers and pickles.
Picking a favorite of the three would have been impossible.
Our entreés started with the Cajun Swordfish Taco Salad
with tortilla strips, tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, cilantro
and ranch dressing ($13.95). We tipped our hats to chef Tim
Molinari on this one; the salad stayed crisp and fresh, and
the swordfish nice and juicy with a delicate kick.
The lunch Crab Cake ($15.95) has so much meat it in it seems
more like a crab meat cocktail than a crab cake. Made with
almost 80 percent crab and baked – not fried – tasting
the difference is easy. Not overcome with bready filling and
an overabundance of spices, you can actually savor the taste
of the crab.
The grilled Mediterranean Salmon ($15.95) is served like none
we’ve ever had, topped with a garlicky hummus and a side
of cucumber yogurt sauce with orzo and crisp pita wedges.
Even Legal Sea Foods’ seasoned fries drew us in, but
after the meal we had, this did not surprise us.
Dessert consisted of – what else? – Boston Cream
Pie ($5.95), with cake on the bottom and smooth custard-like
cream, topped with a delicate chocolate layer and dusted with
cocoa powder. Key Lime Pie ($6.50) is the real thing.
Showing that they’re a major restaurant with a “mom
and pop’s attitude,” Legal Sea Foods is sinking
its roots into the community with a family friendly attitude.
The children’s menu has everything from lobster to macaroni
and cheese, and they even have a special menu for patrons
with gluten allergies. Legal Sea Foods also donated 15 gallons
of chowder in the Macy’s Shop For a Cause event.
You can bet your bottom dollar we’ll be back, at the
very least to take advantage of the three course Lobster Lover’s
Dinner – for $32.95, you get a cut of clam chowder, a
1-1/2 pound lobster, and key lime pie. We may even call Legal
Sea Foods for our home lobster bake or clambake, if we get
around to hosting one, because yes, they do that too.
Legal Sea Foods
Walt Whitman Mall
160 Walt Whitman Road
Huntington Station
631-271-9777
Cuisine: Seafood
Atmosphere: Comfortable yet sophisticated
Hours: Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday noon - 9 p.m.
Main
Menu
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