Mixed message.
The silhouette says "lobster," but my appetite was set to "clam" — specifically fried clams, and ideally clam bellies that might evoke memories of Cape Cod. The belly is the soft, juicy part that tastes of the ocean; it's readily offered here on the half-shell. But Randazzo's, in common with many seafood joints south of New England, only fries up the strips ($7.95), the chewier, occasionally rubbery muscle that holds the belly to the shell. These clam strips were overfried, and the "hot" sauce, underspiced. But everything tastes better when delivered by a friendly server, especially at a picnic table with the ocean breeze blowing your way.
Randazzo's Clam Bar
2017 Emmons Ave. (at 21st St.), Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn
718-615-0010
www.RandazzosClamBar.com
Hmm, I never would have thought of ordering New England style fried clams at Randazzo's....it's definitely an "on the half shell" kind of place.
Posted by: Christine | June 11, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Judging by the other tables near mine, it seems to be even more of a seafood-on-pasta-with-red-sauce kind of place.
Posted by: Dave Cook | June 11, 2009 at 01:30 PM