Brooklyn Fish Camp
Address:
162 Fifth Avenue (DeGraw St.)
City:
Brooklyn, NY
Zip:
11217
Phone:
(718) 783-3264
Hours:
Sunday-Thursday 12-3/5-10
Friday & Saturday 12-3/6-11
Closed Mondays
Site:
Visit the restaurant site
Map:
Map
Cuisine:
Seafood
Area:
Park Slope
Entree Price:
$20-25
Payment:
Amex Visa Mastercard
Review:
There's something about Mary. Mary's Fish Camp in Manhattan has always been a destination for fresh fish. And it's offspring, Brooklyn Fish Camp, is living up to that reputation.
The restaurant in Park Slope has a similar set-up with a fish bar up front where you can dine on stools, or choose from a table inside or better yet dine al fresco when the weather permits. Brooklyn Fish Camp has a nice size backyard with several wooden picnic tables perfect for large groups. You can even catch a movie projected on the wall.
But most of all you'll want to chow down on some of the freshest fish around. We started with some crispy calamari ($11) with slices of hot jalapenos mixed in. Fried oysters and clams ($11) were also plump and juicy, served with a homemade tartar sauce. Our only wish is that the portions could be a bit larger. If you're really hungry you might have to double up.
If money is no object we strongly recommend you spring for a whole fish. The restaurant does a terrific job. There are several types available until they run out including bronzini, daurade, black sea bass, red snapper and porgy. The black sea bass ($25) was excellent, deep-fried with a light coating of bread crumbs and perfectly moist inside. It arrived on a bed of roasted vegetables. All that was left when we were through was the head and some bones. The pan fried mountain trout ($18) had trouble living up to it. But it was also nice and fresh and the accompanying pollenta was very yummy. Brooklyn Fish Camp, like Mary's, is also known for its Lobster Roll (M/P) which arrives piled high with shoestring french fries. We didn't see Lobster Nuckles on the menu, but you may want to ask. It's a standard at Mary's and involves the part of the lobster legs most folks tend to ignore. The bits of lobster meat found inside are perfect for dipping in butter.
The hot fudge sundaes made with il Laboratorio del Gelato's ice cream and topped with homemade fudge and whipped cream ($12) are a house favorite. They also serve up a rather tart key lime bar ($10) and strawberry shortcake ($10).
Brooklyn Fish Camp does not take reservations, but don't let that stop you, especially if you've got a hankering for fresh fish.
Review By: Thomas Rafael