The Mermaid Inn

The Mermaid Inn marks the third collaboration between restaurateurs Jimmy Bradley and partner Danny Abrams. And the duo once again delivered a restaurant with style, sincere hospitality, and a menu marked by their signature cuisine, which is both bold and seasonally-inspired.

Abrams set the warm, familiar tone of The Mermaid Inn with design elements that combine New England charm and East Village attitude. With its carefully chosen antique harbor maps and nautical charts of Block Island, Martha's Vineyard, and Newport combined with a collection of prints gathered from seaports and fishing villages, The Mermaid Inn evokes the feeling of a classic fish house. At the back of the space, large windows and glass doors frame a small open-air garden where, during spring and summer, additional tables are added for al fresco dining. The restaurant's black-and-white color scheme, porcelain hanging lamps, and the soft glow of lanterns complete the feeling that guests have been transported to an intimate coastal setting.

Underlying the Mermaid's success is the talented kitchen team, led by executive chef Jose Luis Martinez, delivering simply conceived seafood dishes that draw from the waters of the North Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Main courses feature dishes like Pan Seared Diver Scallops, Grilled Whole Fish, and a Lobster Sandwich. Dessert is a single, complimentary send-off that varies nightly and includes favorites like chocolate pudding, fresh watermelon slices, or fresh berries with zabaglione.

To match the fresh, casual character of The Mermaid Inn's culinary ambitions, Abrams presents patrons with a straightforward wine selection, offering a full spectrum of bottles priced at only $15 above wholesale cost. The innovative wine list changes frequently to offer a range of pairings with The Mermaid Inn's seasonal dishes. In addition, the Mermaid's 10-seat bar is the ideal place to enjoy a bowl of chowder or a dozen oysters with a well-chosen list of beers and wines by the glass. Dining at the Mermaid's bar is a rare pleasure that showcases the Mermaid's versatile appeal--as a destination for dining and socializing. The raw bar is stocked with fresh shellfish, including an international market selection of fresh oysters served alongside Chilled Barbecued Shrimp, and Rhode Island Littleneck Clams.