The Mermaid Inn opened in Chelsea, bringing their beloved bivalves to the former home of New York’s celebrated restaurant, The Red Cat on Tenth Avenue. From Owners Danny Abrams and Cindy Smith, the Chelsea outpost will offer the restaurant’s sought-after oyster happy hour, alongside an expansive raw bar and signature coastal favorites. The opening marks a homecoming for Abrams and Executive Chef Michael Cressotti; Abrams was the original co-owner of The Red Cat until 2007 and Cressotti served as the restaurant’s opening Chef de Cuisine.
“We are thrilled to open our doors in West Chelsea,” says The Mermaid Inn’s Co-Owner Cindy Smith. “Our new space, which has been to home to many different restaurants throughout the years, is a special one,” adds Danny Abrams. “We can’t wait to meet our new neighbors.”
Executive Chef Michael Cressotti, part of The Mermaid team for almost a decade, continues to highlight the restaurant’s signature seafood staples with flavor-forward preparations ranging from raw bar items to simply grilled fish and composed plates. Classic dishes like New England Clam Chowder with bacon & fingerling potatoes, Maryland Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with lemon pepper aioli, frisee and fresno chilis, Mermaid Fish Tacos with beer battered fish, red cabbage, pickled jalapenos and pico de gallo and the ‘Nearly Famous’ Lobster Roll on griddled brioche bun with old bay fries are offered alongside brand new dishes like Cioppino with clams, mussels, shrimp and saffron tomato broth, Blackened Chatham Cod with shrimp-andouille gumbo and basmati rice and Steamed Long Island Lil’ Neck Clams with fennel sausage, jersey tomato, scallion and focaccia.
While seafood plays the leading role, several non-fish options bring variety and balance to the menu. To complement fish-forward offerings, Cressotti created dishes like Pan Roasted Free Range Chicken with broccoli rabe and lemon thyme jus, Shaved Kale Salad with house Caesar, garlic croutons and old bay chickpeas and Fire Roasted New York Strip Steak with crispy smashed potatoes, spring onions and salsa verde to add contrast and diversity to the dining experience.
For the post-work crowd, The Mermaid Inn Chelsea offers a can’t-miss Happy Hour, with chef’s choice oysters and clams ($1.25) and small bites like Salmon Tartare, Crab & Spinach Dip, Fried Calamari and Grilled Shrimp & Avocado Sliders, alongside a selection of wine, beer and cocktails like the Mermaid Mary, Aperol Spritz and Dark & Stormy. With oysters from both the East and West Coast, the diverse menu covers all oyster preferences, from ultra-plump Kusshi to perfectly balanced Pink Moon, The Mermaid Inn has the oyster to satisfy every occasion and pair expertly with your favorite beverage of choice.
The Mermaid Inn’s beverage program celebrates the bold and bright flavors of the ocean with signature cocktails like the Perennial Smoke with Cenizo Mezcal, fresh lime, agave, rosemary and chocolate bitters, South Sea Pearl with Tito’s vodka, absinthe, fresh lemon and cucumber and the Paid Time Off with Dewars Caribbean 8 year scotch, aquafaba, ginger, lemon and honey.
The Mermaid Inn is located at 227 10th Ave. The restaurant will be open daily for dinner beginning at 5:00pm, with brunch to follow. Reservations can be made through OpenTable or by calling 646-905-5900
