The Mermaid Inn

"The Mermaid Inn...this place has been a staple in the Infatuation playbook since back in 2003 when we were standing in line outside of terrible Manhattan night clubs and listening to nothing but Brand New and 50 Cent. Fortunately, we’ve matured (a little) since then, and The Mermaid Inn is not only still hanging around, it’s thriving (they have since opened an Upper West Side location, and one in the Village). The secret to this upscale clam shack’s longevity is nothing more than consistency. The fish is always fresh and fantastic, and their lobster roll is solid. It’s all reasonably priced considering the seafood is top rate, and service is always good. These days they have even stepped it up and frequently throw down fish frys, clam bakes, and all other manner of seafood-centric specials that you can get in on. Also worth noting, they are currently running a “Blue Plate Special”: lobster roll, Old Bay fries, and a Blue Point beer for twenty dollars from 5:30 to 7:00 every evening. You can find me in the club... Food Rundown Anything From The Raw Bar It’s all fresh, and it’s all good. Enough said. Fluke Ceviche This interesting white fish ceviche has little bits of corn nuts in it to add crunch. I personally love fluke, and this is a great appetizer to share. Clam Chowder This is a solid clam chowder that benefits from the addition of bacon. Sautéed Skate Wing Since day one, my favorite thing on the menu at Mermaid Inn has been the skate wing. They will change the rest of the plate with the seasons, but the fish is always incredible. Grilled Mahi Mahi This is another go-to, and some version pretty much always appears on the menu. If mahi is your thing, you can’t go wrong. Lobster Sandwich We’re lobster roll connoisseurs, and I’ve never been disappointed by this one. There is some stiff competition out there, so I won’t say its one of the top lobster sandwiches in the city, but I’m never mad after I eat it. Also, Old Bay seasoning makes fries taste good." - Chris Stang

"At this point, The Mermaid Inn is pretty much synonymous with solid, not trying-too-hard first date spot. There are lots of small plate options, plenty of drinks to choose from, and a happy hour deal that means you can afford to get a few of both. But take our word for it: you probably don’t look as good eating an oyster as you think you do." - Marisa Dunn

"The Mermaid Inn is headed to Times Square with its largest location to date. The seafood restaurant with locations in Chelsea, Greenwich Village, and on the Upper West Side is planning to open in a space that formerly housed an outpost of Heartland Brewery, a craft beer institution that closed ahead of the pandemic. The New York Post first reported news of the expansion." - Luke Fortney

"In New York City, the Mermaid Inn is offering $500 bonuses to servers hired at its four locations, paid out after three months of 'satisfactory employment.'" - Monica Burton

"The Mermaid Inn is planning to reopen in its original East Village location after closing last August due to debt and rent issues. The owners are currently struggling to obtain a liquor license, which is delaying the reopening. They believe serving alcohol is essential for attracting diners." - Erika Adams