Bait & Hook is a welcoming seafood bar on the corner of Second Avenue and 14th Street in the East Village.

While sipping a glass of the dry Listel rosé ($9/$38) with its peach and berry nose, we sampled many of the appetizers as I was their guest. If you like a bit of spice, be sure to try consulting chef Dave Martin’s unusual Kung Pao calamari ($9). The crispy calamari comes tossed with Kung Pao sauce peanuts and dried chili peppers. For something more bland, consider  the two free-range chicken thighs on mini brioche slider buns with pickles and fries ($13). Those could be a meal in themselves.

What’s not to be missed is their  flourless New England Style Clam Chowda’ ($8), made with clams, lobster stock, turkey bacon, onions, cream and lots of roasted new potatoes. Very rich and satisfying.

The lobster mac and cheese ($18) was a bit disappointing as the fontina and romano cheese sauce was so runny that the top — usually crusted and my favorite part — consisted of burnt rotini pasta. Guessing the cook’s choice is those spirals in lieu of  “mac.

What’s really a delicious bargain is the roasted gingered Atlantic salmon with two sides ($18); we selected roasted asparagus and freshly sauteéd garlicky spinach. I’d go back for that perfectly cooked salmon and veggies in a heartbeat.

If you’re in the neighborhood, think about stopping by for Mussels Monday (only $5 with alcoholic beverage) or Taco Tuesdays ($1 with the purchase of an alcoholic beverage) with live music beginning at  8.

 

– bonnie

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Bait & Hook Seafood Bar
East Village
231 Second Avenue (at 14th Street)
New York, NY 10003
Bait & Hook on Urbanspoon
212.260.8015