Blue Crab Restaurant N.O. Review

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Twenty-five steps up. There’s probably an elevator somewhere, but the steps are fine. This place is in West End just next to Landry’s. The menu begins with “The Blue Crab invites you back to the golden days of lakefront dining. Generations of New Orleanians have fond memories of meals enjoyed on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain.”

The place is where I remember the ground level Bart’s was in the ‘50s (burned down in the ‘70s), which later become Bart’s Lighthouse Restaurant. It is airy, with a fine overlook of the yacht harbor and other panoramic views of the lakefront. The seating is comfortable and the tables are well spaced. This joint seems to be destined to become a locals spot.

The north end of the bar is a pile of oysters in a mountain of ice. Raw half shelled and $18/dozen char-broiled The bar has a good array of draft and bottle beers and two diners were eating there. Overall, the restaurant is a lot bigger than it appears from a drive-by.

I went on a Thursday at 2pm and five other tables were seated. The waitress was prompt and pleasant. The broiled or fried stuffed flounder is “in season” now, but I wanted something light and had a cup of seafood gumbo and the two crab cake “Starters.” And a bottle of Abita Amber. The gumbo (brown roux) was OK, but could have used something with a kick, such as some added file. The crab cakes were really fresh and well above average. The prices are as expected ($16-18 for “Dinners” and “New Orleans Classics,” and $5-13 for “Starters.”).

Overall this is a much better alternative to Landry’s (damn near anyplace is) and worth more returns.