Crab-tastic!

Crabshakk, Argyle Street

This week brought me to Crabshakk in Argyle Street, an area which is really up and coming for restaurants.  Now much has been said about Crabshakk’s decision not to put up proper signage for their restaurant, some think it pretentious, some think it trendy – I honestly don’t really bother as long as it keeps offering up delicious food.

It can be tough to get a table at Crabshakk , it’s quite a small restaurant and very popular, however there is a bar area which is first come first served and proved our only option on Saturday as they were fully booked.

Crabshakk has a great wine list, not cheap but carefully chosen, I’m a fan of the Trebbiano so a bottle was swiftly ordered.  The menu is not surprisingly almost all seafood based with an emphasis on shellfish, I wouldn’t recommend taking anybody not keen on fish as there is only one meat option and one vegetarian option but I suppose the clue is in the name.

If you are however partial to crustaceans, molluscs and the like then you’ll struggle to keep your ordering  in check, helpfully Crabshakk offers a lot of its popular dishes in small and large sizes.

It is my preference to forgo the traditional starter and main format, instead opting for three plates to share.  Crab cakes were a triumph, almost entirely made up of white crab meat spiked with a little chilli they were incredibly delicious, so much so that I’ll forgive the odd bit of shell. 

Next up was a special of home cured gravadlax served with pickled cucumber which was elegantly done.  I think it takes real skill to sympathetically cure and pickle without going over the top and ruining the raw ingredients, something that the chefs in Crabshakk have obviously mastered.

Finally scallops, big, fat and with their coral intact they were done in an anchovy butter which is optional  but highly recommended.  Now I know a lot of people don’t like anchovies but these were melted into a salty, citrusy sauce which complemented the sweet scallops perfectly.  A portion of fries completed the meal which in summary was exceptional.

Not the cheapest eat on the block our modest lunch set us back over £50 including wine but we left feeling spoilt and indulged.

The only doubt with Crabshakk may be that a lot of the dishes can be replicated at home providing your have access to an excellent fishmonger, but unless your seafood cooking is tip top then I would advise visiting this restaurant and revelling in obvious talent of its chefs.