I thought it would be most appropriate to start off the year with one of my favorite restaurants, House of Crabs, located right above Norfolk in Surry Hills. I was really devastated when I didn't get a chance to try the Boiling Crab during my time in the States but devo no more after Jamie Thomas announced that he was going to open up House of Crabs.
Top left: Little neck clams in criental sauce - $20
Top and bottom right: Snow crab in cajun sauce - $34
Bottom left: Prawns in cajun sauce - $25
So what exactly is this whole concept of the boil? Think seafood being cooked and dunked into a bag and drowned in a a variety sauces like Cajun, Mexican, Oriental and lemon pepper sauce. This isn't a meal for the posh princess, it is only for those that are interested in the real deal - gloves, bibs, butcher paper as your 'plate' and sauces over parts of your face.
Cocktail served in a fish bubble - $25
Recommended for two to three people
Top left: Cajun popcorn
Bottom left: Fried chicken burger (small sample size) - $18
Bottom centre: ceviche (small sample size) - $16
Bottom right: Buffalo cucumber (small sample size) - $5
The cajun popcorn is complimentary at the start of the meal and it is really really hard to nibbling on them before all the food comes out. The buffalo cucumbers are refreshing, especially along side with the boil. I am not a lover of cheese but if you are then you will love the cucumbers are they are covered in blue cheese.
Crab, blackbean and chorizo balls - $15
Lobster gravy fries - $12
House of crabs's bar and decor
One of my favorite snacks on the menu is the crab, black bean and chorizo ball. It isn't as oily or heavy as your typical italian arancini balls as it is filled with more vegetables and doesn't contain rice. The lobster gravy fries are strangely addictive especially with the melted stringy cheese. You can definitely smell the lobster through the gravy but not so much taste wise. I thought the lobster fries would be favorite but the chorizo balls were just unexpectedly tasty.
Snow Crab in cajun sauce - $34 for 500 grams
Last but not least are the boils. I tried the snow crab downed in cajun sauce at the launch and it was amazing. Second time I returned and the snow crab was just as magical as I had remembered. The meant was soft, sweet and all sorts of deliciousness. The subtle spiciness in the cajun sauce lures you in for more.
With little neck clams, I chose to have it with the oriental sauce and man, that is one freaking awesome sauce. It was sweet but not overly salty and the best part about it (and the other boils) is when you finish the meat, you can the bread into the bag to soak ALL the sauce. It's bad to waste food and sauce can be considered 'food' right?
Also you might think 500 grams in a boil might not sound like much given that the shells take up quite a bit of weight but there is more meat in there than you think. I went with another two girls and we ordered 3 boils plus two snacks and we were bloated by the end of the night so don't be fooled that 500 is a measly portion size.
The aftermath..
And of course, the post would not be complete without a snot of the aftermath..
Overall, it was a very satisfying meal where I rolled out the door with an exploding belly. Can't wait to come back for more and roll out that door again!
Gotta go eat!!
