The lack of fresh seafood to buy in my neighborhood makes the prospect of a great dish from the sea all the more appealing and The Mermaid Inn, which has been on my list to try since I was able to pay for a nice meal out, is a great spot to indulge in the craving.
We shared oysters to start, a nice selection of East and West coast, the best we've had in a while. I have to give particular praise also to my hot and dirty cocktail – an ingenious combination of a dirty martini and hot sauce, complete with a banana pepper garnish. Why I've never thought of it before is a mystery, but it is certainly a drink I'll be making myself in the near future.
The space is warm and naturally lit with a staff that perfectly balances upscale service and genuine personality. It's little wonder that the restaurant is a neighborhood favorite, everything is just about right from the food to the price – which is maybe a little high for everyday grub, but far less than comparable places.
They even have a recession deal (before 7pm) that knocks the classic lobster roll down to twenty dollars plus a free Blue Point beer. Jim was psyched. My equally good meal of a perfectly pink, big salmon was set off by excellent accompaniments: asparagus, yellow squash, tomato hollandaise, yummm.
The meal was finished with an off the menu complimentary chocolate pudding with cream and the cute signature freebie of a Fortune Telling Fish that told me I was “in love”.
But what do you think?