Location: 361 6th Ave, New York, NY 10014
Cuisine: Seafood
Cost: $$$
Overall: A quaint casual eatery with gourmet presentation and the latest destination to cure your seafood cravings.
If you are familiar with New York City’s West Village, you’ve probably walked by this quaint bistro once or twice. Seabird is located on the corner of Washington Place and 6th Avenue, a few hundred feet from the popular basketball courts of West 4th and just steps from the Halloween and Pride parade routes. From the outside, the restaurant resembles a coffee shop or bakery, but looks can be deceiving. This cozy neighborhood gem is actually a seafood lovers oasis featuring an ever-evolving menu of seafood favorites. The latest menu options include fresh east coast oysters, crispy pan-seared branzino and grilled octopus. Though the options are limited, each dish is presented artfully with photo-worthy detail. Despite the professional appearance of each dish, Seabird maintains warm relaxing energy. The decor is bright and airy, reminiscent of a seaside diner or beach house. The walls are decorated with personal photos and nautical items which surround an open kitchen adding to the homelike atmosphere. A wooden counter is all that separates guests, from the staff allowing a unique glimpse of the chefs in action.
Tuna Tartare & Avocado Mousse
This dish was almost too pretty to dive into. The tuna is served with sliced cucumber, radishes, chives, and a rice chip tuile along with a velvety avocado mousse. The various textures worked well together. The tuna was fresh with a citrus finish, the avocado provided a smooth creamy texture and the rice chips added a satisfying crunch.
Grilled Octopus
Similar to the tuna in the presentation, the octopus is exquisitely plated. The colors and textures create an edible masterpiece. We also adore grilled octopus so this was an extra special treat. Seabird serves their grilled octopus with olives, potatoes, tomato, and red peppers.
Steamed Mussels & Fennel
The mussels are presented with a savory tomato wine garlic broth and buttery garlic bread. This dish is perfect for sharing with the table, there are more than enough mussels for two or three. The broth is briny with an oceanic flavor, which is rounded out by shredded fennel that adds just a touch of sweetness to the dish.
Homemade Tagliatelle
The homemade pasta is tossed with a generous assortment of seafood goodies, including shrimp, scallops, mussels, and calamari in a rich tomato sauce. The sauce has a bold herbaceous flavor that works well with shellfish.
House Burger
Though the menu is mostly seafood there are a few other options available, including salads, steak, and this thick beefy burger. Ordering anything but seafood at a seafood restaurant is usually a big faux pas, but Seabird gets it right. We were pleasantly surprised by the size and flavor of the patty. The burger was juicy and tender with a generous helping of bacon and cheese, served with a heaping plate of homemade fries.
From the first bite to the last, everything we had was delicious. As a result, Seabird has us torn, on one hand, we would love to keep this hidden treasure to ourselves but we also want to share it with everyone we know. If the restaurant has any single flaw it is the lack of full bar service. The cocktail menu is limited to a handful of beers and a few wines. Though hard liquor isn’t served they do have a selection of wine & sake mixed drinks, including a refreshing Port Sangria filled with peaches and other fresh fruit. The Red Sangria was quite refreshing after a long day. Starting this month, Seabird is launching The Mocking Bird menu that features small bites and mocktails.
Seabird Bar Menu
- 5 oysters
- Fried zucchini with chipotle mayo,
- Rice balls with butternut squash, parmesan cheese, garlic aioli
- Ricotta meatballs with tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese
Mocking Bird Mocktail Specials
Free As A Bird
Grapefruit Juice
Club Soda
Lime Juice
Red Chili Flakes
Garnish w/ lemon slice
Taste: slight heat, tart, spicy
Spicy Parrot
Mango Juice
Lime Juice
Red Chili Peppercorn
Garnish w/ slice of a lime
Taste: Sweet, spicy and fizz
Night Owl
Kombucha
Simple Syrup
Lime Juice
Coconut Water
Garnish w/ jalapeno + thin cucumber slice
Salt rim
Taste: savory, earthy, with a little heat
For more information on Seabird, please visit seabirdny.com. Hours of Operation: Monday closed // Tuesday – Thursday 4 PM to 11 PM // Friday and Saturday 11:30 AM to 11 PM // Sunday 11:30 AM to 10 PM.
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