The Place: There’s not just one, two, or even three Egyptian seafood restaurants in Astoria where you can literally select your own fresh fish to be cooked just for you. There are, as far as I know, four places like this. And they are all worth a visit.
IBN Hamido Seafood might be the most well-known with a large multi-story dining room a block away from their actual fish market. The restaurant itself also has a display up front of fresh fish to choose from and order by weight.
If you don’t want to look at your food before it’s cooked, you can also head upstairs and order off a traditional menu. This is a much more spacious and restaurant-focused experience than the chaotic Astoria Seafood or the intimate Abuqir.
The Dish: Upstairs during weekdays, you can also choose the unbelievable Lunch Special. This is an incredible deal and a great way to experience the quality of the food here.
You get to choose from a number of their grilled or fried specialties (salmon, tiger shrimp, calamari, etc.) and pair it with two sides of your choice.
I went with a whole branzino, which was nicely charred and seasoned with an Egyptian spice blend that was mostly garlic forward with a hint of earthy spice, The fish itself was delicate, flaky, and very meaty. For my sides, I chose a nice babaganoush and a rather simple beet salad.
This was a filling, fresh, and sophisticated lunch deal. You don’t find this very often around the city, but when you do, it’s worth coming back again and again. At least for lunch. Price: $21.99
| IBN HAMIDO SEAFOOD |
| 31-29 Ditmars Boulevard (at 33rd Street), Astoria, Brooklyn (718) 535-4700 |
| hamidoseafood.com |
