Brooklyn Fish Camp

This is the Bklyn outpost of Mary's Fish Camp in the E Village. Mary was originally from Pearl Oyster Bar but started her own place; now we have an offshoot in PS.

Tried it tonight- good fresh fish prepared simply. I had fried whole dorade, my wife had it grilled. Both were terrific. Appetizers were good, but portions very small- 6 oysters for $10 and 3 salt crusted shrimp (not jumbo either) for $11. Good wine and beer selection. I'd definitely go back, but probably just get entrees, which had reasonable (actually generous) portion sizes for the price (mostly $20 range). The lobster rolls seemed very popular- I might try that next time.

It's on 5th ave off Degraw. They also have outdoor seating in back, which was nice tonight.

Has anyone else tried it? Any recommendations for next time?

Ok, but does Amy Sedaris work there? She waited on me once at Mary's and I felt really weird asking her for another glass of water.

ana.log wrote: Ok, but does Amy Sedaris work there? She waited on me once at Mary's and I felt really weird asking her for another glass of water.

Do you think she was doing research for a role? It's hard to believe she'd need a day job at this point in her career!

She wasn't at Brooklyn Fish Camp, btw.

Carnivore wrote: [quote=ana.log]Ok, but does Amy Sedaris work there? She waited on me once at Mary's and I felt really weird asking her for another glass of water.

Do you think she was doing research for a role? It's hard to believe she'd need a day job at this point in her career!

She wasn't at Brooklyn Fish Camp, btw.

Nope, not rehearsing, she just waitresses in her off time. Before Mary's she used to be at Marion's on the Bowery. I don't think it's because she needs the money ... I think she just likes the job.

Here's an article that references the fact that she works there, http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1060472055323_7/?hub=Entertainment

Unfortunately the general consensus is not so good according to those on chowhound: http://www.chowhound.com/boards/outer/messages/70388.html

I've enjoyed the manhattan version the couple times I've been there but this doesn't exactly make me want to run out and try the brooklyn version. Quite unfortunate I will say.

Subject: I liked it

That's Chowhound b*tching. It's good, it's expensive. It should be cheaper since rent must be less in BK than the west village...blah blah blah.
I had perfect raw bar (oysters and clams) at the front bar and enjoyed the place thoroughly. It's a treat.

Ben wrote: Unfortunately the general consensus is not so good according to those on chowhound: http://www.chowhound.com/boards/outer/messages/70388.html

I've enjoyed the manhattan version the couple times I've been there but this doesn't exactly make me want to run out and try the brooklyn version. Quite unfortunate I will say.

I actually agree with most of the criticisms posted. The appetizers were definitely a rip-off. But the whole fish was tasty, and worth the price.

we went for dinner about 2 weeks ago. the entrees were very good (lobster roll and seafood bouillabaisse). however, in line with what other posters are saying about prices, beware of the side of grilled corn - a single ear of corn for $6!!! that's outrageous.

i heart brooklyn fish camp. disclaimer... chef/co-owner is a friend, but i think i would love it anyway.

carnivore - definitely get the lobster roll, the fries that come with them are amazing too. the scallop entree is awesome - but might be a little small if you don't get an app. and you can't go wrong with any of the whole fish (tilapia, snapper, durade, etc) ... so fresh, a lot of food, and expertly prepared.

it's def pricey for BK, but i can't compare the food with anything else i've ever eaten. i'd eat out one night less a month, and spend double there. yum.

Subject: the fish camp is supreme

i love the place and don't understand where chowhound is coming from

fish camp update: i was there last night and the portions have definitely gotten bigger. (apparently they heard the grumblings.) the sides are all big enough to share (yes our party got all the sides on the menu), and there were 4 shrimps (instead of the usual 3) for the salt-crusted shrimp app.... which might not sound like a lot, but you gotta try this shrimp. one more on the plate makes all the difference between sharing and hoarding.

there was a line out the door too...

Went there last Friday. Huge wait. Over an hour. But good place. Very much enjoyed. And less expensive than Blue Ribbon and similar quality.

Their hot fudge sundae is nuts.

An HOUR??? I dont think I would wait at NOBU for an hour... I better go try this place! That is impressive!

I enjoyed my meal there, but theres no way in hell I'd wait an hour to eat there again.

i think if you get there a few minutes before 7 pm on a weeknight, you shouldn't have to wait. it gets slammed right around 7.

We just went over to Long Tan for drinks until it was time.

It was (nearly) empty at 10pm on a Thursday.
Anybody Spanish? If so, you're in luck!

pitu wrote: It was (nearly) empty at 10pm on a Thursday.
Anybody Spanish? If so, you're in luck!

How so? Spanish as in from Spain, or Spanish as in speaks Spanish and is Hispanic? and still ...why?

uh...I think he/she is saying Spaniards, as well as other European cultures are known to eat dinner later in the evening. So whilst 10:00 at night may seem late by American standards - it is right on time for the Spanish....

On a side note: it drives me nuts that New Yorkers refer to latino/hispanic people/culture as Spanish!

mateus wrote: uh...I think he/she is saying Spaniards, as well as other European cultures are known to eat dinner later in the evening. So whilst 10:00 at night may seem late by American standards - it is right on time for the Spanish....

Amusingly, that time frame is right for most of Latin America and other parts of Europe, too. maybe the world (I haven't gone to places outside of Europe or the Americas).

mateus wrote: On a side note: it drives me nuts that New Yorkers refer to latino/hispanic people/culture as Spanish!

I'm not Spanish (am half-Cuban), but this just cracks me up. There's nothing funnier than watching an unsuspecting Spaniard get into a totally parallel universe conversation with someone in NYC about whether or not the person is "Spanish". It does trip me up sometimes (like the post above), though. I've gone to many a "Spanish" restaurant and found out it's really Dominican, etc.

I tried to order in from Brooklyn Fish Camp tonight but they don't deliver past "Grand Army Plaza and Flatbush". I'm less than a block from there!!!

BASTARDS!!!


Boo, Brooklyn Fish Camp!!!

Went here once, never went back. After being told we'd have a minimal wait we got a table after an hour spent in the gnat/skeeter ridden backyard. We drank some wine and were cool with it. (No free drink, of course.) There were four of us. We sat for about 75 minutes and were finishing a mediocre, overpriced sundae - pushed hard by the inept waiter - when a woman, whom I took to be an owner, but if not she was still their representative, literally asked us to finish up as they needed to flip the table. WTF! Fool me once etc.... Never been back....never will be back.

That Flatbush border kicks your ass all the time, innit Carn . . .
since we're updating this thread, I tell you I love that place!

[I have never ordered dessert there, so no resentful sundaes]

It's nice in the summer--great backyard. Lobster roll isn't cheap but it's my favoirte in the city. Loved the fries--they used the old bay spicing. I've been meaning to go back.

pitu wrote: That Flatbush border kicks your ass all the time, innit Carn . . .
since we're updating this thread, I tell you I love that place!

[I have never ordered dessert there, so no resentful sundaes]

I agree that the food is good there. They were just being assholes. It's not like I was ordering a pizza. For an order that was going to be well over $50, you'd think they could have gone the extra half a block.

Actually, if you want a decent lobster roll with a great outdoor view you should try Fairway in warm weather. The fish camp isn't bad. I like their steamers and lobster knuckles.

I had the fried oyster roll with shoestring fries, fresh but nothing special. Very fast service but this was Saturday lunch time so the restaurant was almost empty.

what else is there at Fairway cafe?
I don't actually care about lobster rolls so much . . . blue crab loyalist, I am.

I go to Fish Camp for raw bar and fish in its various forms. Also the scallop entree...

Carn, I'm surprised you are not proactive about the Flatbush ban...
do a one night crusade in PS, map in hand, and chat up the owners. You could redline yourself in . . .
(not that I think those particular preps of fish travel that well...)

For a raw bar I either go to Nathan's (the Flagship) or Randazzo's. Both have ice cold cherrystones and little necks and both do not wash the clams after they've been halved. Plus, both are on my biking route during the summer. Having never had Fish Camp raw bar I can't compare. For oysters I like hitting Tracks in Penn Station or that place on Union Sq. I hear the raw bar on Prince around Ave. of America's is good as well.

As far as Fairway is concerned, they also make decent sandwiches. I had a pretty good bagel and lox there a few months ago. The bagel was decent enough, the nova was pretty moist and firm and the counter girl put on the right amount of tomato, red onion and butter as per request. I believe they make other sandwiches and pizza as well. They also have a hot and cold bar near the front, which you can eat on the deck as well.