Some hard-to-find seafood from across the globe sits alongside the usual fillets of black sea bass and piles of clams at Essex Pearl, a fish market and restaurant in the new Market Line food hall on the Lower East Side from the fishmonger Steven Wong. Tempted by some Maine sea urchins, slender Massachusetts razor clams or a rare blue lobster? They have them on occasion. And now, you’ll find a year-round source for live Pacific Dungeness crabs. Though popular on the West Coast, they’re fairly rare in New York. These substantial two-pounders — currently from the waters off San Francisco and later, from Canada — are ready to steam and enjoy with butter, or have one cooked for you to eat right in the market.
Live Dungeness crabs, $14.99 to $16.99 a pound ($10 per pound surcharge for cooking), Essex Pearl, The Market Line, 115 Delancey Street (Essex Street), 347-899-4998, essexpearl.com.
Follow NYT Food on Twitter and NYT Cooking on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Get regular updates from NYT Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice.
