Tom’s mom cued us in to this little gem of a place. Seafood Gourmet is a local fish market with a small dining room attached in the back.
No any signage outside whatsoever — only those who know. Inside — a line of seafood lovers crowding like penguins against the back refrigerated wall, waiting for a table.
A warning on the door to the dining area — only 90 minutes for your party. Fair enough — the place is hopping.
The line moved quickly — we were sixth and were seated within 15 minutes. Although the restaurant was still in a lunch mode we asked for the main menu. No problem.
It was our first experience and we were pressed for time so we ordered two shareable appetizers. They turned out to be a comprehensive introduction to the place.
Cold mixed seafood platter with shrimp, calamari, scungili, and octopus was a huge bowl with some crisp lettuce leaves completely buried under a mountain of the freshest cooked to perfection medley of seafood. Dressing on the side. And who really needs it? Maybe when/if you dig down to the greens and might want to dress them to finish. We did dig to the bottom and cleaned the bowl.
Hot antipasto for two was a generous platter with scallops wrapped in bacon, mushrooms stuffed with crabmeat, clams oreganata, gigantic shrimps stuffed also stuffed with crab.
To give an idea of those shrimp because they were completely hidden by fried calamari, here is a separate picture of that extravaganza.
And we could not resist a plate of Maine steamers. Nothing feels more Friday summer and brings better memories than dipping little critters into the hot broth and into the butter. Into broth and into butter. Into broth and into butter.
Speaking of dipping. Are you a team barely-touch-your-steamer-to-butter because you want to taste seafood more? Or are you a team dunk-it-in-all-the-way-to-your-fingers and scoop some more because butter and clams go so well together? Can you tell what team am I?
By the way, people, always listen to your mothers in law — they know a good place.
