Sammy's Shrimp Box, Bronx (City Island)

So we return to City Island here on this blog, as this Bronx neighborhood is in of itself a hidden gem that the vast majority of visitors to New York City never get to see. Earlier, we had talked about a seafood restaurant on City Island called the Lobster Box; this time around, we are also talking about a seafood restaurant (Sammy's Shrimp Box), and it just happens to be on the same street and within a stone's throw of the Lobster Box.

Sammy's Shrimp Box is a casual spot that has outdoor dining and an attractive interior. The menu is quite extensive, with such items as Maryland crab cakes, littleneck steamers, trout, lobster, swordfish, tilapia, fried blue fish, linguine with clam sauce, prime rib, BBQ chicken, and baby back ribs. There is also a children's menu with a number of items on it. Prices for both lunch and dinner can be a bit expensive (many items run into the $30s, $40s, and even the $50s), but there are also some less pricey options on the menu.

If you have been to Sammy's Shrimp Box in the City Island section of the Bronx, please tell us about it by posting a comment here. Thank you!

Here is the address for Sammy's Shrimp Box:
Sammy's Shrimp Box
41 City Island Avenue
Brooklyn (City Island), NY, 10464

The phone number is:
(718) 885-3200

And here is the Web site for Sammy's Shrimp Box:
http://www.shrimpboxrestaurant.com/

Tides Seafood, Manhattan (Lower East Side)

There are some truly great seafood restaurants in Manhattan, but many of them are so popular that it is nearly impossible to get a seat unless you have reservations. But if you are ever in the Lower East Side of the city, there is a seafood place that receives some very high praise and yet is far enough away from the crowds that it is possible to get a seat there on a moment's notice. The restaurant--Tides Seafood--is the hidden gem if there ever was one.

The atmosphere at Tides Seafood is uniquely appealing, as the layout of the place is funky and modern, and at the same time casual and comfortable. And the menu is every bit as impressive as the decor, with such items as mussels and chorizo stew, baked red snapper, bouillabaisse, roasted cod fillet, and fresh Maine lobster. Prices are a bit high for a casual seafood place, with entrees generally between $20 and $30, but the freshness of the seafood is probably worth the extra money. Please note that Tides Seafood is cash only, so make sure you hit the ATM before coming to this spot.

If you have also been to Tides Seafood in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, please let us know by posting a comment here. Thanks!

Here is the address for Tides Seafood:
Tides Seafood
102 Norfolk Street
Manhattan (Lower East Side), NY, 10002

The phone number is:
(212) 254-8855

And here is the Web site for Tides Seafood:
http://www.tidesseafood.com/

Cole's Dockside, Staten Island

Even though much of New York City is located on or near the water, it is not as easy as you might think to find a restaurant with good water views, especially if you are looking for a casual, inexpensive place. But there is such a restaurant on the east shore of Staten Island called Cole's Dockside, and its views are indeed quite impressive.

Cole's Dockside which has both indoor and outdoor dining, features seafood dishes in addition to traditional American cuisine and some Italian entrees. The menu includes fried calamari, crab cakes, duck rolls for appetizers, and penne vodka with shrimp, grilled tuna wasabi, Sicilian pork chops, filet mignon, and veal parmigiana for entrees. Prices are pretty reasonable, with most items being under $20 and a few being between $20 and $35.

If you have been to Cole's Dockside in Staten Island, please tell us about it by posting a comment here. Thank you!

Here is the address for Cole's Dockside:
Cole's Dockside
369 Cleveland Avenue
Staten Island, NY, 10308

The phone number is:
(718) 948-5588‎

And here is the Web site for Cole's Dockside:
http://www.colesdockside.com/

Lobster Box, Bronx (City Island)

Most visitors to New York City tend to stick to Manhattan, with a smaller number going to Brooklyn and Queens. Meanwhile, Staten Island and the Bronx see relatively little in the way of tourism and business travelers, which is a shame, as both boroughs have some real finds, including City Island in the Bronx. City Island is more like a seaside village than a part of the biggest cities in America. A number of seafood restaurants can be found here, including a place called the Lobster Box.

Located right on the water, the Lobster Box affords diners some incredible views of Long Island Sound, which more or less ends near City Island. The restaurant is spacious, with a number of tables and booths in each room of the place. The menu features all kinds of seafood, including catfish, salmon, sole, swordfish, and tuna, as well as several steak, chicken, and pasta dishes for those who do not eat seafood.

If you have been to the Lobster Box in the City Island section of the Bronx, please tell us about it by posting a comment here. Thank you!

Here is the address for the Lobster Box:
The Lobster Box
34 City Island Avenue
Brooklyn (City Island), NY, 10464

The phone number is:
(718) 885-1952

And here is the Web site for the Lobster Box:
http://www.lobsterboxrestaurant.com/