MYFOXNY.COM – Leslie Barnes of London Lennie’s came to the Good Day Café, on National Oyster Day to lay down the law about oysters… “The Ten Commandments of a Raw Bar”

You Call That a Raw Bar?

London Lennie’s Ten Commandments of a Raw Bar

I. Lemme See You Shuck

Any raw bar worth its sea salt will shuck clams and oysters in front of you.  Think about it – when you order a drink at a bar, the bartender doesn’t go into a back room to mix your drink; he does it right in front of you. The same should be true of a raw bar. If you can see your shucker, you can guarantee he knows what he’s doing and your oysters are fresh.

II. Grab an East Beach Blonde, Head up to Little Neck and Skinny Dip in Winnapaug Pond

When it comes to great raw bars, it’s all about options.  One or two selections just won’t cut it. A real raw bar has an assortment of oysters and clams.  At London Lennie’s, we offer three different species of oysters and nearly 70 different varieties.

III. Ice, Ice Baby

Oysters and clams should be properly iced down because they come from waters that are between 40 to 60 degrees. Icing them up replicates their natural environment and keeps them fresh and easy to open. Of course, if you’ve ever eaten a warm oyster, then you’ll know that they taste better cold, period.

IV. Baby, I Like it Raw

Some say oysters are better naked, but you should decide for yourself.  A good raw bar offers you more than the standard cocktail sauce and horseradish.  We pair our raw bar offerings with our specialty mignonette and Asian relish so you can go naked or get wild – who are we to judge?

V. Wetter Is NOT Always Better

Oysters and clams should not be wet stored.  Contrary to popular belief, storing oysters in a nice cool cove until shipping strips them of their natural flavors.  Ever wonder why oysters are named for their harvesting areas?  It’s simple – like wine, they take their flavor from their surroundings.  Change their surroundings, change their flavor.

VI. Who’s Your Daddy?

Ask the raw bar owner if he handpicks his oysters and clams himself or if he calls a purveyor in to do his dirty work.  Less is more when it comes to the number of hands handling your oysters.  Fewer hands means fresher oysters.

VII. Bed Hopper

If you really want to know the true flavor of the oyster, you’ve got to spend some time in its bed!  The best way to learn the flavor profiles of oysters is to take one right out of the water, shuck it on the spot and eat it au natural. We make a point of meeting and tasting with all of our oyster suppliers. Having a personal relationship with our harvesters eliminates the games, puts us on equal footing, and puts great, fresh oysters on your plate.

VIII. We Like it Dirty

You know that phrase “God made dirt, dirt don’t hurt”?  Believe it!  Once an oyster is shucked, leave it be. You want the grit to stay put. Your shucker should never run water over an oyster or it’ll lose its natural flavor. If there’s a bit of grit in your oyster, your shucker should flick it out with his knife.

IX. Where’s the Pearl?

Oysters aren’t cheap, but they shouldn’t break the bank, either.  If you’re paying more than $5 per piece, ask for the pearl!  A fair price for oysters will fall between $2 and $4 per piece.

X. Better Than a One Night Shuck

Your shucker has got to be able to pour you a beer or a glass of wine that will bring out the flavor of your selections. Try light and crisp wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Champagne, Chablis, Verdejo or Chardonnay with your oysters.  Stouts or Heifenzens with a slice of lemon also bring out the flavor of raw bar picks.

What better way to savor the summer than by sipping Spain’s best wines paired with tapas style seafood bites at your favorite seafood restaurant? London Lennie’s invites vino lovers to come in for a mouthwatering special menu including four small plates paired with four of Rioja’s greatest wines by the glass, all priced at $12 or under. All menu items are available á la carte and wines are available in 6oz pours.  Treat your taste buds to Vina Alberdi’s rich berry flavor, perfectly complimented by steamed little neck clams with chorizo sausage or sip a refreshing glass of CVNE Monopole 2009 paired with an equally refreshing seared tuna tartlet with chopped nicoise salad.  The Rioja region of Spain produces some of the world’s finest and long lived wines, but this delectable menu will only be available from June 25^th to July 25^th!  For reservations, please call (718) 894-8084 or visit www.londonlennies.com.

Featured Wines by the Glass/Bottle:

CVNE Monopole 2009 $8/$22
La Rioja Alta “Vina Alberdi” Reserva 2003 $12/$35
Palacios Remondo La Vendemia 2008 $10/$28
Campo Viejo Crianza 2006 $8/$22

Featured Small Plates:

Seared Tuna Tartlet with chopped nicoise salad and extra virgin olive oil drizzle $10
Salt Cod Croquette on a pool of marinara sauce $6
Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with dry sherry parsley sauce and crispy baguette $9
Steamed Little Neck Clams with chorizo sausage, leeks and fresh plum tomatoes in a white wine sauce $9



Market Specials

Raw Bar

Oysters on the Half Shell (per piece)

Moonstone, RI $1.75
Raspberry Point, PEI $2.10
Wallace Bay, NS $2.10
Blue Point, LI $2.10
Flying Point, ME $2.10
Barnstable, MA $2.10
Kumamoto, WA $2.20
Large Glidden Bay, ME $2.90

London Lennie's Late Night Happy Hour

Lobster, Libations & Live Entertainment!

It’s NOT TO BE MISSED!

First & Third Fridays, George Stass Croons Classic Rock Songs from the Soul on His Acoustic Guitar.
Second & Fourth Fridays, Enjoy a Sultry and Sexy Vibe of Blues, Bossa Nova, Classic Reggae & Rock!

Featuring a Special Happy Hour Menu and Great Atmosphere Where the Sophisticated Socialize!
Now Accepting Reservations for Private Parties!

Because you loved it..and because we love pleasing you… Romance- to-Go is GOING TO STAY!

For Those Who Like To Do It In Private!

Romance-To-Go Package
Four course dinner to-go includes (no substitutions):

* 2 Jumbo Lump meat Crab Stacks with avocado and mango drizzled with tomato sherry vinaigrette and chive oil
* Lobster Bisque for Two
* 3 lb Lobster for Two Split & Stuffed with jumbo lump crab meat stuffing
* 1 “Dark Chocolate Bag” for Two filled with raspberry mousse, whipped cream, mixed berries and raspberry drizzle
* Romance-to-Go Kit with votive candle, rose petals and feisty fool-proof prep instructions

Availability: Daily by calling (718) 894-8084.
Price: $160 plus tax

Click here for the Lobsterfest 2010 Menu

Lobsterfest is back at London Lennie's!

Climb out of your winter shell and get your tail to London Lennie’s for a lobster feast sure to hit your sweet spot! London Lennie’s Seafood Restaurant, located at 63-88Woodhaven Blvd in Rego Park, invites lobstertrician to sample an inventive menu of mouthwatering delights prepared by nationally recognized Executive Chef Jeffrey Baruch and paired with wines from our extensive wine list. This year’s menu, being offered Monday, February 8^th through Sunday, March 7^th, will features everything from traditional 2lb to 10lb live Maine lobsters, broiled or steamed, to imaginative dishes like LobsterHomefries and Lobster Pot Pie. For more information or to make a reservation, please call (718) 894-8084 or visit www.londonlennies.com.

Become a Lobstertrician and Diagnose this “Lobster Lunacy” for Yourself!

This week’s Late Night Hour features LIVE JAZZ!

Nothings better to cap your work week than a little “R, R & R” at your favorite seafood restaurant. Perfect for a date or unwinding with friends and yet perfectly acceptable for indulging in raw bar and savoring a luxurious wine that you definitely don’t have sitting on your kitchen counter. Beginning at $3.50 a glass, it’s more than a deal for the quality and selection. As usual, the carafe’s and bottles are more economical, so if your wallet’s a bit light from the holiday shopping frenzy, BRING FRIENDS!

This Friday, February 5th,  10 p.m. – 1 a.m – Secure your reservation TODAY!

Holiday Bingeing Got You on a Financial Diet? That’s A Problem!
The Lows of the Arctic Blast Got Your Utility Bills on High? That’s A Problem!
Finding Sensational Seafood that’s Good to Both Your Waist & Your Wallet? THAT’S NO PROBLEM!!!

You’ve never been one to let the global economic crisis force you to sacrifice quality. Why start now? London Lennie’s Sensational Seafood on a Shoestring menu now offers “afishionados” the chance to indulge in first-rate seafood at a budget friendly price. That’s right! Say “sayounara” to those lousy seafood chains and their rubbery fish, and say “konnichiha” to London Lennie’s Seafood on a Shoestring Menu.

This is What We Do Best…
50 Years of Fish & We’re Still Flippin’!

LUNCH – $18.00
MONDAY-FRIDAY 11:45AM-4:00PM

STARTERS (choose one)

Cup of our Chowder (New England or Manhattan)
Mixed Greens with a champagne vinaigrette
Classic Caesar with parmesan croutons
Crispy Calamari with marinara sauce
Steamed Shrimp & Crab Dumplings with two dipping sauces

ENTREES (choose one)
All entrees served with London Lennies’ homemade coleslaw

London Lennie’s “Fish Fry” made with fresh scrod, flounder and shrimp in our famous beer batter
Down East Lobster Roll fresh picked lobster salad on a toasted top split roll with crispy fries
Cedar Planked Salmon duchess potatoes and seasonal vegetable
Grilled Breast of Chicken Sandwich with roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella and pesto mayonnaise with crispy fries
Tempura Shrimp with baby bok choy, sticky rice and two sauces
Linguine with Sautéed Shrimp and Scallops tossed with leeks, plum tomatoes and fresh basil in a zesty pomodoro sauce
Grilled Skirt Steak Salad with roasted peppers, grilled onions, gorgonzola cheese and sherry vinaigrette

DESSERTS (choose one)

Seasonal Melon
House Made Banana Cream Pie
Rice Pudding with rum soaked raisins

DINNER – $25.00
MONDAY-THURSDAY 4:00-10:00PM
FRIDAY 4:00-5:30PM (MUST BE SEATED BY 5:30)

STARTERS (choose one)

Cup of our Chowder (New England or Manhattan)
Mixed Greens with a champagne vinaigrette
Classic Caesar with parmesan croutons
Crispy Calamari with marinara sauce
Steamed Shrimp & Crab Dumplings with two dipping sauces

ENTREES (choose one)
all entrees served with London Lennies’ homemade coleslaw

Grilled Skirt Steak “Chimichurri” crispy chive potatoes & grilled asparagus
Authentic “Fish Fry” made with fresh scrod, flounder filet & shrimp & sea scallop in our famous beer batter
Down East Shore Dinner steamed in a bag, 1lb. lobster mussels, steamers, corn and red potatoes
Cedar Planked Salmon duchess potatoes & seasonal vegetables
Sauteed Breast of Chicken prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, grilled garden vegetables & maderia wine sauce
Tempura Shrimp with baby bok choy, sticky rice & two sauces
Linguine with Sauteed Shrimp & Scallops tossed with leeks, plum tomatoes and fresh basil in a zesty pomodoro sauce

DESSERTS (choose one)

Seasonal Melon
House Made Banana Cream Pie
New York Style Cheesecake
Rice Pudding with rum soaked raisins

Tax & gratuity not included. No sharing or substitutions please. Not available for take out or selected holidays. For parties of more than 10 please see our catering menus.

Join us this New Year’s Eve, by the bar, as we bring in 2010 in luxury. Indulge in these London Lennie’s Signature Champagne Cocktails that will pair luxuriously with our seafood delicacies.

The Midnight Kiss $12 & Chilled Mixed Seafood Castle $64

Impress your guests this Holiday Season with a London Lennie’s Shrimp & Crab Platter. Its the perfect holiday gift or addition to your holiday feast. Leave the cooking to us, so you have more time to celebrate with your loved ones. Indulge in the highly acclaimed platters, featuring the finest quality seafood for which London Lennie’s has become renowned.  All of our platters are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the tastebuds, with a beautiful presentation that will look as if you spent hours in the kitchen (we won’t tell, if you won’t).  

WHICH PARTY PLATTER WILL YOU PICK?

Small serves 3-5 people (3/4 lb. of cooked shrimp ~ 15-17 shrimp) $37
Medium serves 7-9 people (1 1/2 lb of cooked shrimp ~ 30-34 shrimp) $ 62
Large serves 11-15 people (2 1/4 lb of cooked shrimp ~ 44-46 shrimp) $87
Shrimps Ahoy 17-22 people (3 lb of cooked shrimp ~ 60-64 shrimp) $112

Small serves 3-5 people (3/4 lb ~ 14-16 claws) $35
Medium serves 7-9 people (1 1/2 lb ~ 30-32 claws) $57
Large serves 11-15 people (2 1/4 lb ~ 44-48 claws) $79
Crabs o’ Plenty serves 17–22 people (3 lb ~ 60-64 claws) $101

Small serves 3-5 people (large cooked shrimp, 16 pieces, & snow claws, 10 claws) $37
Medium serves 7-9 people (large cooked shrimp 24 pieces, & snow claws, 15 claws) $49
Large serves 11-15 people (large cooked shrimp, 32 pieces & snow claws, 20 claws) $61
Crustacean Craze serves 17-22 people (large cooked shrimp, 40 pieces & snow claws 30 claws) $88

All platters are arranged and served with lemon wedges, honey mustard (crab) & cocktail sauce (shrimp & crab)