I don’t know how many mussels you can eat in one sitting, but I can put away a few dozen. So I wandered into Lamb & Jaffy, 1073 Manhattan Ave in Greenpoint last week and took advantage of their Wednesday night Mussel Madness special; all the mussels you can eat for $16. (Their regular dinner menu is also available.)
The mussels are from Prince Edward Island, where the water is still pristine, so thank you Canada. They’re in season; they’re plump and juicy and ready to take on all the flavors Chef Michael DePrima can fling at them; there’s coconut and lime, fennel and sea salt, bacon and onions, salt and garlic, a creamy gorgonzola and even wasabi. You can choose a few or all the flavors. You also get a giant bowl of crispy fries. Some of the sauces were so good that I wished I had some French bread to sop it up.
Lamb & Jaffy Bistro is one of those neighborhood restaurants where the chef is the owner and the food and the decor reflect his passions and personality. Definitely not one of those paint-by-the-numbers group think restaurants.
In the backyard garden, there are beautiful purple hydrangeas in full bloom and rows of herbs that are used in many of Chef De Prima’s dishes. In the dining room, quirky wood framed collages of mini skeletons riding motorcycles and doing other cool things are on display by local artist Alfred Perderndong. The vibe is casual and relaxed, and more than once I’ve struck up great conversations with folks at other tables. There’s nothing sweeter than a summer night of unlimited mussels and great conversation in the heart of Greenpoint. Mussel Madness takes place every Wednesday night until the end of summer. Lamb & Jaffy Bistro, 1073 Manhattan Ave, info@ lamb&jaffy.com.
