Share"Favorite Inexpensive Restaurant" by Frank Bruni of the New York Times
(646) 350-4058
643 Hudson St
(Gansevoort Street and Horatio Street)
New York,
NY
10014
40.739054
-74.005442
Neighborhoods: West Village, Downtown
Hours:
Sun-Wed 12pm-12am
Thu-Fri 12pm-2am
Sat 11am-2am
Sun 11am-12am
Price:
$$
Fatty Crab
Last updated 11.20.09
What People Are Saying About Fatty Crab
The Owner
Fatty Crab
Owner
The brain child of talented chef / restaurateur Zak Pelaccio, Fatty Crab is an homage to Malaysian cuisine and culture. Nestled in the West Village, Fatty Crab serves up authentic Malaysian specialties bursting with flavor like his Watermelon Pickle and Crispy Pork Salad & Wonton Mee Soup. Look for inventive cocktails like the Fatty Sling and East India Cocktail. The comfortable atmosphere inspires a vibrant energy, thanks in part to the young, highly knowledgeable staff and fun mix of rock-n-roll classics playing in the background. The menu lends itself perfectly to whatever night you have in…
The Editor
Erin Behan
Citysearch
In a neighborhood where style often trumps substance, this Malaysian hot spot, helmed by chef Zak Pelaccio, pleases in both. The small room's open kitchen belches heavy scents of spice, and a tiny bar is the only place to wait for a spot at the wooden tables with notably uncomfortable (but authentic) chairs. Dishes are well-paced by sincere indie rockers who can't do enough to content diners, although the food doesn't need assistance. To start, there's sweet-sour green mango sticks, with a dipping bowl generous on chili, plus sugar and salt. But this is a place to get your hands dirty, whether…
08/12/09
A New Nadir in Pop Culture
by Ebenezette at Citysearch
I thought rock bottom was reached when I was waited on by a waiter talking into his cell phone at the same time as he served; but I now have to state I’ve been subjected to a new low.
The Fatty Crab was a hip little restaurant in the Meat Packing District that got touted by Martha Stewart so it got big enough to open a branch on Broadway at 76th. Since that’s my neighborhood I thought I’d give it a try, after all, I worship The Martha.
First impression: not so hot. Uncomfortable seating and close quarters. But the worst experience was the bathrooms.
The Fatty Crab has two unisex rooms, ill-lit by red light. First off, I’d like to state that when a woman goes into a restaurant bathroom, usually it is not just to look around. She is there to accomplish something. Darkness does not help.
So there I am, attempting to accomplish something in the dark, when a big dog barked at me from out of nowhere. That made me jump. Then I realized the barking was coming from a speaker – it was just a weird sound effect.
That would have been annoying enough. But then the screaming started. I mean real screaming. Torture screaming.
So I was stuck in a dark room, that I could not get out of for a couple of minutes at least, and the screaming didn’t stop.
I am feeling outrage now as I type, but interestingly enough, at the time, all I really felt was bored and annoyed. I was being subjected to one more moron’s idea of ‘hip’. When I told my waiter – the guy in the dirty tee shirt with all the ink on his arms – he just shrugged and said “It’s a tape.” I told him it should stop, but being merely a customer, I assume I was ignored.
I am sad to live in a time when it is almost impossible to go out for a pleasant meal. It cost me $50 at the Fatty Crab to be the victim of some idiot whose therapy had failed.
- Cons: The Worst Experince In a Long Time
06/13/09
Delicious but pricey
by ripfuel45 at Citysearch
Great food. Thought watermelon, pickles, and pork belly was a weird combo but proved to be delicious. Like the other reviews mentioned, chili crab with the sauce will make you forget the damage it did to your wallet. Citysearch should upgrade this place to $$$.
- Pros: Fun. Tasty. Unique. Friendly staff
- Cons: Bit pricey
04/26/09
Fatty Crab is wonderful!
by ceany1 at Citysearch
This was a great meal with very good food and service. I'd heard about it for a long time and only just tried it. Everything we ordered was good - particularly the Fatty Duck and the mini sliders. Would highly recommend!
- Pros: Great food, really good service, great atmosphere
- Cons: Small, fairly loud
The Details on Fatty Crab
What to Drink:
This is one place where beer complements the food as well, or better, than wine. Order up an oversized 16-ounce Singha, a 22-ounce Morimoto Black Obi Soba from Rogue, or the hefty 24-ounce Hitachino White.
Know Before You Go:
There's precious little space to wait inside the restaurant, so arrive before 8pm to avoid a long line.
The Extras:
There's a larger Fatty Crab outpost on the Upper West Side that accepts reservations.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Notable Beer List, Local Favorite, Late Night Dining, Lunch Spot
Cuisine:
Message from Fatty Crab
- Extensive wine list
- Full menu served until 2am
- Outdoor dining availble
The brain child of talented chef / restaurateur Zak Pelaccio, Fatty Crab is an homage to Malaysian cuisine and culture. Nestled in the West Village, Fatty Crab serves up authentic Malaysian specialties bursting with flavor like his Watermelon Pickle and Crispy Pork Salad & Wonton Mee Soup. Look for inventive cocktails like the Fatty Sling and East India Cocktail. The comfortable atmosphere inspires a vibrant energy, thanks in part to the young, highly knowledgeable staff and fun mix of rock-n-roll classics playing in the background. The menu lends itself perfectly to whatever night you have in mind, whether you're in the mood for noodles and wine, Chili Crab and cocktails, or bar snacks and beer (of which there is a wide selection including Hitachino and Rogue Black Obi Soba).
