Some of the BEST Seafood Restaurants on Long Island

The Bountiful Gourmet’s The Good, The Bad and the Ugly of 2009
By Rich Branciforte
Seafood...
The Fishery..your neighborhood place that everyone frequents…Good food at very reasonable prices. Highly recommended…the seafood platter. Great desserts..East Rockaway
London Lennies..a landmark for 50 years, opulent décor, awesome raw bar, great selections at special prices. Reservations a must on weekends… Rego Park
London Lennies
 63-88 Woodhaven Blvd, Rego Park (right off the LIE) - 718-894-8084
Queen’s Classy Seafood Place
Restaurants come and go constantly, changing their format, their names and their chefs. One closes down and someone else opens in that spot. But what would you call a restaurant that has survived and thrived for 50 years, even as the population and demographic of Queens has drastically changed?  London Lennies in Rego Park has built a reputation that has grown nationwide, and this very attractive landmark has changed with the times, updating its considerable menu and special pricing that takes into account these tight times.  The restaurant started in 1959 as a fish and chips place, and its popularity drew people from all over the borough. But to view London Lennies today is to see a place that would  go well in seafaring towns like Portland, Maine or Bar Harbour.  The first thing you notice when you enter London Lennies is the rich woodwork, with plenty of brass. The colors are perfectly balanced, and the paintings are all rich looking, adding to the restaurant's appeal.  And, to your right, you have one of the crown jewels of London Lennies...the Raw Bar which includes a sushi menu.  Les Barnes, whose family has owned the spot for the full 50 years, confesses that he doesn’t have a big bar business like many restaurants.  His bar is the raw bar area and its packed with diners, choosing from his oyster menu, which includes 6 kinds, including Blackberry Point oysters from PEI and oysters from Duxbury, MA. The price is a reasonable $2+ each, and on most nights, a spot at the bar or one of the standing tables is much sought after.  A recent afternoon visit by the Bountiful Gourmet led to some great discoveries, especially the special Seafood On a Shoestring Menu which is only $18 for lunch and $25 for dinner. This has to be one of the best deals around as it offers top quality starters, entrees and desserts for a ridiculously reasonable price.
Steamed Shrimp and Crab Dumplings were exquisite, the dumplings crammed with delicious fillings, with the dipping sauces adding an extra bite.  Entrees are just about everything you can imagine from a quality seafood restaurant, but being old school, we went with the “Fish Fry” featuring fresh scrod, flounder filet, big, big shrimps and a scrumptious sea scallop in beer batter. The scallops were melt in your mouth delicious.  Had we been tempted, we would have also tried the Down East Shore Dinner which is steamed in a bag with 1lb lobster mussels, steamers, corn and red potatoes.  Other standouts include Crabmeat Quesadilla and Grilled Yellowfin Tuna, and lobster lovers will go bonkers over the 4lb and larger lobster as well as a great selection flown in daily from coastal New England and Canada.  Close the meal out with their Chocolate Mud Cake or the cheesecake, two luscious selections. And wash it down with their nearly one dozen international coffees and teas.  London Lennies is a true find, and would bring even Captain Ahab back to the shore.  Reservations are strongly recommended for Friday and Saturday nights.
The Fishery
335 New York Avenue, Huntington - (631) 423-1400