Mary’s Fish Camp: Home of the $40 Lobster Roll
New York and Boston aren’t that far apart. But the culinary scene of these cities couldn’t be more different. Case in point: lobster rolls and the definition of a “fish shack.”
My regular fish shack is in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on the Charles River. It’s a true shack meaning that it’s a fish shop that happens to sell a $12 lobster roll. No tables, so you have to sit on the curb under a big oak tree to enjoy the finest lobster roll that Sully, the fish monger, whips up.
A few weeks ago I was bent on having a lobster roll. Driving to Boston was out of the question but I remembered a quaint little “fish shack” a friend had recommended with an unforgettable name and story. It sounded “down home” enough. Mary’s Fish Camp (rumor has it that it’s named after the campground in Florida) was opened by Mary after she split with her girlfriend and business partner, the owner of the neighboring Pearl Oyster Bar. Everybody said that Mary’s had the best lobster rolls, so I began my trek through West Village to Mary’s Fish Camp.
I took my seat at the crescent-shaped stainless steel bar, glanced at the menu and ordered my market price lobster roll. It was somewhere between realizing that I was sitting next to Friends actor David Schwimmer and the waitress telling me that the market price for the lobster roll was $40 that I realized Mary’s Fish Camp was not a fish shack. My mind was screaming “What? Forty dollars!” while I just smiled, a bit shell shocked, and said “That will be fine.”
For $40 one would expect the most fantastic sandwich on the face of the earth. Alas, it was not. You could see the problem before you tasted it: way too much mayonnaise and, in a possible attempt to make the mayo sandwich look somewhat appetizing, the french fries were plied on top (a personal pet peeve as I am a food separatist– I don’t want my food mixing, nor do I want mayo on my fries). Disappointment aside, Mary’s Fish Camp has a long list of spectacular-looking appetizers available at a much more moderate prices ($9-$13) and local beer from Brooklyn Brewery.
In addition to the original restaurant in West Village, Mary and current business partner Derek Dos Anjos opened Brooklyn Fish Camp in Park Slope. Hours and menu varies, check the Brooklyn Fish Camp website for more information.
Location: 64 Charles Street (at 4th Street) (map) 646-486-2185
Subway: 1 to Christopher Street-Sheridan Square;
Hours: Open Monday-Saturday. Lunch Noon-3pm, Dinner 6pm- 11pm
Photo credit (top to bottom): flickr; personal collection
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2 Comments
whoa! 40 bucks for a lobster roll/mayo sandwich. Times are tough I guess and someone has to pay the rent payment. You could of just gone to Faneuil Hall and experienced much more for much less.
Steve,
I’ve been eating lobster rolls around Boston all summer…next time you are in town try the one at Legals… fresh whole claw meat…. and a grilled brioche roll that makes all the difference!