Fatty Crab

10/12/09

Decibels Make For Horribly Hurried Experience

by DJZouk

We met people here for dinner at 6:30 on Friday night. From the decibel level, I should have suggested we walk. We were literally shoved into a table and the rush to order was on. This was at 6:30 not 8. We were given no time to look at the damn menu, not to mention talk to people we have been wanting to meet for some time. The waitress darted back and forth making an assault every 5 minutes. When the food came (we were told that for 4 it was family style), it was not only meagre, but well below the level of the comparable UWS versions. The slidders were tasteless and dry with added gristle to boot, the duck was mostly fat and bone, the fish fry meagre but at least spicy. It's hard to believe that this is the same place that has a satellite on the UWS. Actually it isn't. They are two different beasts. If you want an unhurried chill place to have dinner, DON'T COME HERE! The bill was $160 for 4 people with 4 glasses of wine. This is a great bargain, Frank Bruni, for mediocre hockey-puck-sized portions of food with service that had a broom in its hand showing you the way out. STAY AWAY!

• Pros: None
• Cons: Poor & meagre food, rushed service, loud music

08/12/09

A New Nadir in Pop Culture

by Ebenezette

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

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

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

04/20/09

Where have you been?

by Felix

It still baffles me that people complain about the size restrictions of the OFC. Their new spot is whatever, the food's fine but who the hell would want to eat dinner on the UWS, anyway? And for all the scene-sters or clueless people out there. Why don't you try this place when it's not jampacked? Like for lunch or early bird specials with the elderly.

• Pros: Delicious food.
• Cons: What are the drawbacks?

04/20/09

Way too crowded!!!

by wildajean

I had to sit with my girlfriend in the middle of the place. We had elbows bumping into us and other guests hovering over us as we ate our food. I don't care how good the food is, no one should be subject to that kind of service. If I'm spending my money i expect to eat in comfort!

• Pros: The food is great.
• Cons: too crowded

03/04/09

Great Food / Pricey

by CSMobileUser3

Good quality food, great Asian taste. Hip staff. Pricier than Citysearch suggests. Crab was $42, which is twice the price of crab in Chinatown. The sauce with the crab is almost worth the price in itself. I'll be back for more!

03/01/09

YUM!!

by tac6811

I don't write many reviews, but after lasts night dinner I felt compelled! All I can say is WOW! Everything from the service to the food was incredible. The watermelon with fried pork, toasted tamaki duck, chili crab and two bottles of wine really made for a great dinner!! Go if you want good food and like to eat with your hands. Thanks to Joe for making great recommendations!

• Pros: everthing

02/19/09

one my favorite restaurants in the city

by ploppy

This is the first review I have ever written on any website, ever. Here goes....

The food, service and staff at Fatty make it one of my favorite places in the city. I eat there at least once a week. I literally have dreams of the fatty crab sauce and the sliders. The music is great, the scene is perfect.

The people who hate on Fatty are absolute hoosiers with no taste buds. They should take their Jdates elsewhere.

• Pros: Everything, seriously

11/24/08

Small space but good space

by claire124

I have never had the food, but they make nice shots and drinks- just dont come with a huge group because it is a very small group.