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Mary's Fish Camp
Category: Restaurants Seafood Seafood [Edit]
64 Charles St(between 4th St & Bleecker St)
New York, NY 10014
Neighbourhood: West Village
(646) 486-2185
- Nearest Transit:
-
Christopher St - Sheridan Sq (1, 2)
W 4 St (A, B, C, D, E, F, M)
14 St (1, 2, 3)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 12 pm - 3 pm
Mon-Sat 6 pm - 11 pm
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
328 reviews for Mary's Fish Camp
Review Highlights
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"Lobster roll is definitely worth a try here." In 182 reviews -
"We finished it off with a hot fudge sundae." In 12 reviews -
"Here's what we had: fried oysters and clams to start." In 7 reviews
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328 reviews in English
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Review from Cynthia D.
Chicago, IL
5/11/2012
I'm giving this place a 5 for food but honestly, I'd give the service a 3.
We ordered the steamers, calamari, fried clams, the smoked lobster, and the sea bass special.
Between 3 of us, it was perfect. We left satisfied but not stuffed.
If you get the lobster, you will have to ask for a lot more little handy wipes and beware: your clothes may be completely covered with lobster and butter by the time you are done if you are like us....
I ordered a Michelada and that was probably a mistake. It's not what I thought it was going to be and it was super spicy and it gave me a bit of a stomach ache.
The waitress seemed a little passive agressive. You have to order all of the appetizers and entrees at the same time. The place was busy but her tone was not the best in my opinion.
I still give it a 5 though because the food was so fresh and yummy. -
Review from Damien G.
Brooklyn, NY
5/22/2012
A part-time vegetarian/raw food friend was in town and wanted to eat out somewhere with a menu that wouldn't be too hard to navigate. Mary's was the choice! 45 minute wait at 830 on a Wednesday in the West Village? No problemo! Waiting just outside, hearing my name but having less than a micro second to respond before the rather disheveled, frazzled hostess move on to the next name? Annoying!!
Once seated however, things got better. Until we paid. A dozen mixed oysters to begin, with 3 of my favourite east coasters. Beau Soleil, Peter Points and Beach Points. A delicious (raw) kale salad to follow with their take on a Som Tum with shrimp (prawns if you're from Down Under.. I am!), wonderfully spicy with lots of crunch and textural contrast. Devilled eggs were delicious but the market fish taco was standout. Wonderfully fresh, slightly oily seared fish in firm enough tortillas with all the trimmings. Bread pudding for dessert was effective without being totally memorable.
Onto the bill. $179 for 2, pretty reasonable considering we had wine. When the waitress brought our check over, we'd both been charged $135. we mentioned it, as one does, and I guess the waitress ran our cards again (though voided the first auth), and nonchalantly said, with no explanation or apology, 'if you check your balance you'll see the money's on hold but it's only for a day'. 6 days later, still pending. It was a debit card, so it was actually my cold, hard cash that was 'on hold'!! So a 90 dollar dinner at this point has actually run me almost $220!!! If she wasn't such a snooty bitch about it, I wouldn't have really cared so much. But she was and I do!!
Bottom line: Food is excellent. Amazing, in fact. If you can get seafood this good anywhere else at these prices, I want to know about it. The service is borderline aloof with nary a smile to be seen. It's a busy place. Smile!! You've got a good job and are making decent money!! -
Review from Louis R.
Updated - 4/8/2012
Crawfish beignets?! dayum tasty!
Fish tacos?! deelish!
Lobster roll?! redic awesome!
Those are the 3 tenets of a dope seafood resto.Listed in: Wesssssst Siiiiiiiiide!!!!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/27/2011
This spot is THE FUCKIN ISH.
Yea, it seats about 25 peeps, max.
Yea, the bar/counter is made of some… Read more »
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Review from Carolyn B.
Chicago, IL
5/25/2012
Get the lobster roll. Don't be turned off about the "on a hot dog bun," it will be the best buttered toasted hot dog bun you've ever tasted in your entire life and it doesn't even begin to describe the heaven that is that lobster concoction. You will not leave hungry or disappointed. Promise.
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Review from Bertie B.
New York, NY
5/15/2012
Delicious and comes highly recommended their fish is the freshest in the city.
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Review from Danielle C.
Jersey City, NJ
3/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
Arrived 20 minutes before opening and there was already a line.
The lobster roll is pretty good, however I prefer the kind without the mayonnaise and salad elements.
My dining partner tried the boulliabaise and liked it a lot. Next time we though, I think I'll order whole fish steamed like the table next to us did - it looked divine!
Small space, but cute atmosphere. Great if you're craving seafood. -
Review from Yuval D.
Manhattan, NY
Updated - 5/11/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Yum!!! Grilled calamari, fried green tomatoes, cod fritters, pozole snapper, maple walnut ice cream cookie sandwich. Everything is amazing here! A perfect meal. Thanks, Mary and Hope!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/26/2012
This place always provides a fun, chill, and tasty dining experience. I love this place, as the high… Read more »
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Review from Liem L.
Portland, ME
5/19/2012
there are so many reasons to like this place...i am sure you will find one too.
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Review from Lily P.
Tacos were mehhh the fish ones that is. Too much shell with the 2 soft tortillas and there could have been more fish Dressing was not that great and I have no idea why this is popular here... Mehh... The clams were very fresh though and the lobster rolls looked (did not get it) like heart attacks. We went on a saturday for lunch and it was pretty easy to get seated right away. The scallops were really really good though (mango, avocado and other random stuff with it). The shoe string fries people were getting did not look appealing at all though,
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Review from Tiff W.
3/8/2012 4 photos
I've been here twice and both times I was thoroughly impressed by the quality and freshness of the seafood here.
Granted, the first time, I scarfed down a random assortment of dishes due to having shared a pitcher of John Daly at nearby Low Country...but that is neither here nor there. Everything was delicious, as I can recall.
The second time, John G & I came here on a Friday so we would have a wide variety of non-meat options at our disposal. Oysters? Check. Conch fritters? Check (possibly my favorite of the night). Crawfish beignets? Check. Beet salad? Check. Conch Chowder? Discount double check.
I don't think you can go wrong with any of the dishes here...order a variety and share. The food comes out quickly and the place is tiny, so you don't really want to hog up a table conversing and/or making out like that couple next to us did. That story is for another time.
Mary's Fish Camp knows how to cook their seafood well and showcase the natural flavors of its dishes...I'm a big fan! -
Review from Jaime B.
PECK SLIP, NY
3/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
Ehh...
I hate when a place has a sign that says "be considerate, others are hungry and editing to eat." Basically they are telling you, "our restaurant is too small, hurry the fuck up and finish your meal!"
we ordered the lobster rolls and for $30 a roll there was not enough meat and way way too much mayo. I was disappointed. Also the wine glasses were a joke, too little. This was my second time eating here and I was let down. -
Review from Yashar Y.
Newark, NJ
3/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Very good service, very good oysters!
Went there for lunch, and the four stars is for the price only.
We ordered the clams and oysters and shared their lobster roll. All were very good. They have a very limited selection of beers so its definetly going to be a lunch spot for us.
The place is really cute, and the staff at least on this sunny day were really high on energy which is very good. Didnt find the place that romantic, but it was very cozy. As mentioned i think its a great spot for lunch. -
Review from Kristina C.
New York, NY
2/19/2012
Small cozy joint serving super fresh and delicious fish.
We started out with a glass of white wine, fried oysters and clams with excellent tartar sauce! Picking out an entree...well, that wasn't so easy to figure out. I finally decided on the arctic char with a coconut curry sauce and jasmine rice. I worried that the fish would be overwhelmed by the sauce, but to my delight, it was just perfect! I tried my dining companion's wallpike with wild rice (which had come highly recommended from our server)...It was also quite tasty (but I remained happy with my initial choice).
Overall, a very pleasant, casual spot with delicious food. I can't wait to stop by again for the lobster roll! -
Review from Melissa B.
Manhattan, NY
2/13/2012
The menu is composed of seafood from all over the world, and making a decision is not easy. Luckily, the staff is very helpful, and did a fantastic job of recommending appetizers, entrees and wines to accompany each.
Marys's is known for their Lobster Roll, which we admit was good, but what really stole the show for me was the Seafood Bouillabaisse! WOW, this entree was overflowing with steamed shrimp, mussels, scallops, calamari and topped off with a fair-sized 1/2 lobster tail. The sauce tasted of white wine, garlic, thyme and just the right amount of cream. Accompanying the bouillabaisse, was a crisp, buttery toast pointe, perfect for dipping.
This is a restaurant I can't wait to return to, and highly recommend it if you're looking to impress friends and family, without the cost of fine dining.
Note: The restaurant is small, busy and does not take reservations. My advice, leave your name and phone number with the hostess, and enjoy a drink at The Windsor, which is only a few doors down. -
Review from Melissa M.
Manhattan, NY
2/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
Fearing a wait on a sunny Saturday morning, a group of four of us got there about 10 minutes before opening to snag a table. There were already a few people ahead of us but not so many that we had to wait at all. The place filled up within minutes after we were seated though. Very cute and charming feel to the joint, cozy bordering on cramped but sunlight flooding in through the large windows made it feel bigger than it actually is. Also liked the small decorative accents such as the blue and white checkered linens that give it the feel of being in Maine (or so I would imagine since I've never been)...
Now, on to the food. I've been here twice now and both were solid experiences with few minor snags. The menu is pretty extensive for a small seafood joint, and as one of my friends commented, it's nice that they've put some thought into the seafood preparation beyond just simply steaming buckets of clams served with a side of drawn butter with dishes such as the sardine banh mi and the crawfish beignet, both delicious.
Our group had some trouble with the steamers we ordered - they were super sandy! It felt as if we were losing dental enamel when we chomped on these guys but we couldn't stop because they were so briny and delicious. We finally figured out that the trick was to avoid eating the foot hanging out of the shells but even so, the sand kind of marred our experience. I'd ordered this dish the first time I was there and didn't have any issues.
The lobster roll is pretty delicious, on the more slathered with sauce side, but tasty nonetheless. My pet peeve with it is the abundance of shoestring fries that it's served with - kind of overwhelms the roll but some might consider too many fries as not a bad thing.
All in all, a great neighborhood seafood joint with a solid menu and wide selection. Great service also. -
Review from Chris R.
Alexandria, VA
2/21/2012
Delish.
Go and put your name on the list early and then go have a drink...they'll call you.
It's a tiny place fits like 25 people at the max.
Get the oysters, they are fresh and good.
The craw-fish beignits are delish too! -
Review from Alli H.
1/31/2012
This place is SMALL, but cute and quaint.
We had lunch here with a bunch of people and the service was good, I feel like I remember still being hungry when I left. This was probably my fault for not ordering enough food.
Lunch was excellent and worth going back for, that is all I really remember but if I remember I liked it, it fits into the 5% of restaurants in this city that I like going back to. -
Review from Sam P.
Brooklyn, NY
1/14/2012
Initially, I was just going to write a review, but I said I would contact the owner/chef (Mary Redding) and give her an opportunity to respond. She never responded.
Ate here in December 2011 and the food and service (until the end) was excellent. My lobster roll was a bit OVERPRICED at $30 bucks, but it was very good. The service at the end of the meal killed it.
The issue we had was paying for the meal. We wanted to split the bill onto two seperate credit cards. We were informed that their new policy prohibited them from doing that.
So one of us had to scramble and get cash which made things awkward. When we complained about this moronic policy we were informed that their was a notice indicating as such, but it was nowhere to be found. This is not a cheap place to eat at. They should be willing to allow for one check to be paid for on two separate credit cards.
They make enough money off their wine,alcohol, and $30 lobster rolls to cover the fees from their credit card processor. -
Review from R Y.
Flushing, NY
5/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
A cozy place with outstanding seafood! Being just a few blocks away from Pearl Oyster Bar, this place is my 2nd choice when the wait at Pearl is getting too long.
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Review from Sasha B.
1/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
It's a great space... The staff is friendly and accommodating.
We had the deviled eggs and another starter which wasn't memorable... THe lobster rolls were great, but I think the $30 price tag is a bit high. -
Review from crumbs i.
New York, NY
1/16/2012
Heaven. this kind of place makes me want to quite my job and open a fish shack on a remote fishing town. This is the kind of hospitality that you don't often find in this city. The lady who was taking care of us at the bar (I assumed it was Mary? I'll call her Mary anyways) was amazing. Clearly passionate about what she does, so knowledgeable and warm.
The bouillabaisse reminded me of marseille. incredible value for the quality and quantity of fish & shellfish they put in there.
We were lucky to snatch a spot at 6pm, but the place gets really busy, expect long waits. But it's worth it. -
Review from Thomas S.
Phoenix, AZ
10/4/2011
I know. I know. You're thinking the same thing I thought about the name of this place. Mary's Fish Camp. Hmm...must be a gay pescatarian summer camp for kids.
But. It's. Not.
It's the cutest little place in the heart of the West Village. And I went here for one reason only. Lobster roll. You see, living in the Sonoran Desert has it pluses...great weather, lots of time by the pool sipping alcoholic beverages and old people who leave in the summer.
The last $30 sandwich I had (and enjoyed) was at the Ritz Carlton in Washington D.C. And that was room service priced. This $30 sandwich was the smartest culinary cash I have laid down in a long time!
Creamy with chunks of lobster in a slightly crispy buttery bun...Dang! I just actually drooled on the comma key.
I arrived early as the place is very small. Had immediate seating and service. Everything was flawless.
Can't wait for camp next year!! Oh. And Thank You Mary!! -
Review from Dan B.
New York, NY
4/28/2012
The best fish place in NYC.. Trust me .. I have been to many .. Unpretentious and excellent cooking.. So show up early to avoid the waits..
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Review from Amy J.
Brooklyn, NY
11/27/2011
After several attempts to try Mary's Fish Camp we finally succeeded! First time was randomly closed in the summer, next was closed for a private party, we wandered in around 8:30 or so on a Friday, we were told 45 for 2 so headed to Fedora for a drink.
It's tiny and cramped sitting at the bar but everyone was very friendly and somehow it wasn't bothersome. We started with oysters, all delicious. Then we had a beet salad with raw shaved beets, dill, parsley and a super yummy vinaigette...perfect start. I had a lobster roll, I always have to have them when I see them even though normally a summer indulgence I couldn't pass it up. While it wasn't a traditional Maine lobster roll (it had too much mayo/sauce going on) it was still really tastey and had a massive amount of lobster and with the super thin and crispy fries piled high along side, I was one happy girl.
The hubs had Walleye, being from MN he had to order it he said it was really good, I was too busy devouring mine to even have a bite. We finished up with their hot fudge sundae, a true old school hot fudge sundae served in a diner glass, my only complaint is the fudge wasn't really hot enough and the icecream made it harden up to a rock solid state. Being someone who loooves hot fudge that was the only dissapointment. By that time I'd consumed enough calories to care, it was probably for the better. We'll be back! -
Review from David W.
12/6/2011
Looking to eat lunch somewhere in the West Village that doesn't just serve pancakes, omelettes, and bunch of other varieties of egg dishes? Head here...actually, I don't think they served any breakfast items, so this is strictly lunch. By 1230 the place was packed, so get here at 12 if you want to be a part of the first seating.
I started off with their chowder soup...had a nice kick to it, had a Manhattan chowder type of broth instead of creamy, but thought it was a little lacking in terms of seafood in there for $10.
Next I got the oyster po boy, and it was a winner. Actually, I think the star dishes here for lunch are all the sandwiches and the tacos looked really good as I stared at other tables.
Had the warm bread pudding and really liked the candied pecans flavor. BUT, if they just could make that thing a la mode instead of just whipped cream, it'd be off the hook...please read this and take that suggestion! -
Review from Yu Ming L.
Manhattan, NY
4/28/2012
We literally felt we had a symphony of great eats... The oysters were excellent and the Fried green tomatoes were so good - crunchy n savoury with an ever so lightly battered crust. The fish tacos were good and the lobster roll was rich and creamy and the skinny fries were a delight. I thought e crawfish beignets were honestly too heavy and deep fried for me but if that's what you like, it's seafood junk food at its best. The bread pudding was surprisingly homey and delicious. I'm not a fan of this dessert but. I lapped it right up...Great atmosphere too...
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Review from Jacqueline C.
Leonia, NJ
2/7/2012
The first thing I thought was, "Gosh, the place is small!" Due to Mary's popularity, the tables are squished in tight so it's best to not bring a lot of stuff. My second thought was, "This place is super charming." The "Fish Camp" is decorated with blackboard menus, and simple wooden tables and chairs that made loud scraping sounds against the floor as people shifted to make room for new and latecomers. Our servers were great - but my friend and I were at the counter, which could also explain our servers' attentiveness and speed.
We ordered the Hiramasa crudo, fried oysters and clams, braised octopus, salt cod empanadas, pickled Beaumont shrimp as apps, and pan fried cod sandwich and the famed lobster roll as entrees. For dessert, we shared a hot fudge sundae.
Everything was delicious, delicious, and . . . delicious. However, the standouts for me were the lobster roll and cod sandwich. Holy moly, the lobster roll was good. I wasn't expecting much, since my friend had told me it was so-so, but the one that I had that day was fantastic: a lovely buttery and toasted bun heaped with lobstery-not-too-much-mayo-y goodness. I don't know if it's $30 lobster roll good, but I would have been happy shelling out that amount, especially because it came with a huge heap of addictive shoestring fries. Ditto with cod sandwich. I normally don't like fish sandwiches, but this cod was cooked well and the portion was huge and it also came with the shoestring fries. A person with a normal appetite could have just ordered the pan fried cod sandwich and have been perfectly happy. I wound up taking half of it home. The hot fudge sundae went down fast, despite my being relatively full. I thought the addition of the peanut brittle (?) was a nice touch.
Some of the menu prices are a little bit much, especially for what's supposed to be kind of a hole in the wall. Although lobster rolls at Urban or Ed's aren't as good, they also do not cost thirty dollars. However, everything else seemed to be reasonably priced. -
Review from Anna W.
New York, NY
9/24/2011
This is definitely a beloved go-to spot for all things fishy and delicious. After several years of frequenting Mary's, and a more recent, but profound love affair with their Brooklyn affiliate, I will always be a loyal Fish Camp devotee.
Lobster roll? Yes, please! I'll have five! ... well maybe not, but having to be carried home would be worth it.
Salt cod fritters with scotch bonnet aioli? They are worth the trip in and of themselves.
The staff is not only knowledgeable, but the kind of people you wouldn't mind cracking open a can of Pork Slap Pale Ale with and chatting over the day's events while enjoying a platter of ice cold oysters. -
Review from Paul B.
Denver, CO
3/15/2012
A true gem. Unique! Funky. Great dishes. Friendly service. VERY busy! This place is very small but packs a huge punch for character and food! Check it out if you are visiting NYC and want to see how locals are lucky enough to dine on a regular basis.
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Review from Sammy V.
Union, NJ
12/12/2011
Stumbled upon it while Christmas shopping in the west village. Tiny, clean and fun as can be. If they ever do a high priced diners, drive ins and dives this place would be the number one choice. We were greeted with a happy hello the minute we walked through the door. The waitstaff is bubbly and courteous.
The oyster po boy was the best ever. Fresh east coast oysters with a ever so light crust served with lettuce, pickle and a mixture of franks red hot on a artisian fresh baquette. This was accompanied with a light mayonaise cole slaw.
The Lobster roll is something right out of a Maine five star Lobster pound. Large perfectly cooked tail meat tossed with a ever so light mayonaise base dressing. Served on a fresh hot dog style roll (but kicked up a few notches) and with freshly fried french fries.
The Sardine sandwich, what! a sardine sandwich. Yes, a sardine sandwich. ever so lightly fried, briny and spicy. The true flavor of this cold water fish is not masked by the spicy dressing that accompanies it. Served on an peasant roll with baby arugula salad.
Freshest fish is worth the price. hay, it Manhattan, a hamburger cost $ 18.00.
A must for real fish Foodies -
Review from Jennie A.
8/10/2011
My first impression was that the music was way too loud & there were too many tables for such a tiny space. The tables are so close together that the host had to move the table out in order for me to get to my seat.
Loud music + tables too close together = people to the left & right of you screaming at each other in order to communicate .
I had to shout my order to the waitress & when I politely asked her if the music could be turned down she gave me attitude. While the waitress was taking our order, she was hunched over on the back of the chair next to my boyfriend rocking back and forth. Bizarre!
We ordered fried okra & the order came with two fried okra & a few fried string beans. The chalkboard listing the specials didn't mention anything about string beans. My boyfriend asked the waitress if the order was meant to come with only two okra and she didn't answer the question. She gave us attitude again & told us she would tell the chef. She came back with three more okra. If you order the okra, note that you are paying $2 per okra.
The spicy gazpacho with lobster claw wasn't spicy, it was peppery (black pepper) rather than spicy. The $30 lobster roll was chewy & dredged with mayo.
I ordered the striped bass with farro & lime curry vinaigrette. The farro was hard and inedible. The fish was cooked well, however it did not go with the curry lime vinaigrette which tasted like curry powder with lime & vinegar.
I cannot comprehend why anyone would give this place more than two stars. -
Review from Patrick W.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
2/18/2012
Lobster Roll was awesome. went on a Friday night before a Knicks game, get there around 6pm or you'll definitely have to wait.
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Review from Su C.
Brooklyn, NY
1/14/2012
Great bouillabaisse, great fried oysters, and I am always a huge fan of their lobster rolls. The bread is so incredibly buttery, and the lobster meat is just so plentiful and thick. Perfect.
On the smaller side as a restaurant so it might be harder to fit large groups. But the wait staff is quite friendly. This is a great place. -
Review from Albert T.
Manhattan, NY
6/17/2011
Overcrowded. You know something's wrong when the tables are so close that they need to be pulled into the center of the room to get up. Good if you want to hear every word of your neighbor's conversation though. They only reason people wait in line is because it's in a cool neighborhood.
Overpriced. $30 for a lobster roll? And with tables jammed so close are they are paying high rent or could it be that we sense certain greed and arrogance?
Safety. My girlfriend's $600 cashmere shawl was damaged by a space heater temporarily placed in the exact spot the host directed me to leave our personal effects. If our dinner had lasted longer the shawl could have set on fire and sent the dozens of customers in the over capacity space climbing over tables to get to the single exit.
Arrogance. Despite our complaint, the owner Mary Redding failed to attempt any reasonable repair to the damage. She expressed no concern about our strong dissatisfaction about the damage itself and about the way she has been treating us as customers. -
Review from Kelley M.
Manhattan, NY
11/9/2011
The fish is incredibly fresh, and the food is delectable. Definitely try the seasonal specialities they have -- I have never been disappointed! I found the lobster roll here a little heavy on the mayo, but it may be personal preference.
Yes, the restaurant is TINY, they don't take reservations, and you will inevitably have to wait, but isn't that what dining in the West Village is all about? ;) -
Review from Wen V.
New York, NY
1/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
Best seafood in NYC, the place is quaint, cozy and romantic. I highly recommend the Pan Fried 'Hook and Line' Atlantic Cod Sandwich with French Fries if you rather save your money spending $30 on the Lobster Roll. I had both and I would say that the Atlantic Cod sandwich is equally as tasty and less expensive. Service was excellent our waitress was very educated on each dish, you can tell they take their seafood very seriously.
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Review from citygirl C.
Manhattan, NY
1/1/2012
Went to Mary's as it was on my yelp bucket list. walked by on New Years Eve and was welcomed by the fun warm staff and immediate seating. great start. I had to serve my much needed oyster fix. I ordered 2 different oysters one had the word "beach" in it and they were FRESH FABULOUS FRESH. Sorry had to say it twice. 2nd round I ordered the Cod Sandwich and fries. WOAH. Crunchy fries, and saturated fresh lemonly aoli like sauce on a perfectly not to crispy flat bread. Yes please yum. What I loved about this place is the casual fun yet not too loud atmosphere and the staff you could tell was practically family and ready to explain all the qualities of any of the items listed. will definately return.
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Review from Mary Cecilia M.
Manhattan, NY
1/26/2012
A delicious, darling dinner spot in the West Village. I had octopus in a broth of winter vegetables to start and trout grilled with pancetta as my main dish. Both were specials on the menu, and both were incredibly satisfying. I've had better octopus and I've had better trout, but I really cannot complain because everything was cooked very well and the flavors all hit the mark. The restaurant itself is tiny, but in a charming sort of way. I don't mind sitting elbow to elbow with fellow diners as long as no one is grumbling and grumpy about the food--and I was happy with my meal and it appeared everyone else was, too! Mary's Fish Camp lived up to high expectations and I would gladly go back.
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Review from Tyler C.
Los Angeles, CA
8/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
one of the decent seafood places in the city, and one of my favorite west village dinner spots. Fish/lobster/etc fresh, done well.
A little more comfy/laid back vibe than Pearl Oyster Bar. nice place to relax, and the staff here is super nice. Can get crowded at peak times tho.
ironically, my taste for seafood favors a couple of cantonese establishments in chinatown/flushing, or interestingly enough, M Wells (which has achieved technical perfection in its fish roasting/ceviche technique....) but for american style seafood, this is the one of my go-to places. -
Review from Jennifer C.
Elmhurst, NY
3/21/2011 3 photos
I missed my friend Oliver's birthday event some 3 weeks ago and told him that I'd treat him to a lobster meal as consolation. We decided on Mary's Fish Camp and so ensued the 'Happy-Belated-Birthday-to-O' dinner. (I know, I know.. I am a pretty fantastic friend. Or, maybe guilt stricken friend? That determination is a matter of personal preference, ha.) Moving along...
So. I dig this place! it's got a simple charm that really feels whimsical yet orderly. It makes you feel like you've strolled the quaint surrounding neighborhood and shopped at your fave boutiques on a sunny, Spring day off from work, and you've stopped into Mary's for a bite to eat. It's got that carefree, small-town vibe to it which I adore. Note, they do not take reservations, but you can come early on a weeknight and score a table rather easily.
To start off, we shared the "Lobster and Shiitake Potstickers" with chile soy. These came as four pieces to an order and were sort of laughable. I realized it is an appetizer, so the portion is expectedly diminutive, however, at $12, I didn't think it was going to be as measly as it was. Granted, it was crispy, nicely fried, and tasty (though, not much lobster or shiitake filling were present), I still felt like we were ripped off. And, I'm pretty sure we were. (Those wonton wrappers are less than $2.00 for a pack of 25 sheets at any Chinese supermarket. And the pieces of lobster and shiitake were tiny, twinklings in the night sky -- barely noticeable.)
As our mains, I was trying to decide between their Lobster Roll, or the Pan Fried Cod Sandwich, but, I erred on the side of familiarity and went with the lobster roll. I actually wanted to see if Mary's would hold up against the tremendous Lobster Roll at RHLP (Red Hook Lobster Pound) that I had the divine blessing to experience last summer on a Red Hook, Brooklyn food tour. He also went with the Lobster Roll.
The lobster was chunky, fresh and gorgeously spilling out from its encasement within a buttered hot dog bun. What I didn't like about this seemingly flawless sandwich was the fact that some pieces of lobster were actually a bit chewy, indicative of it being overcooked. Also, it was heavily saturated, possibly oversaturated, in its mayo dressing. This made the sandwich watery and messy, and too rich in parts where gratuitous dressing was consumed. The thin, shoestrings fries were tasty and pretty addictive, not because it was that delicious, but because it was offered in a heaping, grand pile, and simply easy to eat.
Ironically, I would say the very best thing I ate at Mary's was their dessert. Their "Steamed Lemon Pudding" with freshly whipped cream, was an unexpected hit. This dessert was so delightful, being perfectly balanced by the tartness of the lemon and the sweet dollops of fresh whip cream and shards of candied lemon rind, that you wouldn't expect that adorable poof that sat atop the plate was impressively delectable. This was easily one of the best desserts I've ever had anywhere. (If I could base my review solely on this dessert, it would be 5 stars without question.)
I didn't mind that the menu did not list the price on the lobster roll. I knew it was dependent upon a number of factors and its price would be reflective of such changing cost estimates. But at $30 per roll, I was pretty shocked that it was that spendy! I certainly did not think it needed to be that much for a slightly above-average lobster roll. Now, if it were as fantastic as the roll from RHLP, I would have thought that pricetag was appropriate and would not have been appalled. This however, was sadly not the case. Not only was I surprised, but it also played a part in my decision to order something off the menu to go. (Btw, RHLP is cheaper!)
Instead of the pricey lobster roll, which was not exactly stellar, I ordered what I had gone against earlier, the Cod sandwich. I got this with the intention on feeding my boyfriend after work as he got home. He devoured it, and loved it. I'm assuming it was great, but I can offer no opinion on it myself. I don't even know how it looked. (Boyfriend ate his cod sammie in the privacy of his own home.)
I'm not absorbed with this place and would therefore not recommend Mary's with much zeal, but I would say it's decent enough to try if you absolutely crave, and need a lobster roll and you can't make it to Red Hook Lobster Pound -aka- Lobster ECSTASTYville. Or even, Pearl Oyster Bar which I also think is better. (I have not tried other places like Ed's or Luke's, but they're certainly on my hit list.)
BTW, Oliver confirms my caliber of friendship as being pretty outstanding. And! The boyfriend loves me for making sure he is always well-fed.
Poof! Guilt be gone.
