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Carmine’s Crab Shack
2000 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens
Open daily 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
By Jane Feehan
Carmine’s Crab Shack was open only two days when we ventured
in to try some seafood. Normally I’d wait until a restaurant has its groove on
before writing about it but this place is well on its way. Carmine Giardini has already chaulked up a number of dining successes in South Florida and in Palm Beach Gardens.
His newest eatery was filling up a few minutes before noon but we were
immediately seated in the rustic sea-themed dining room at a large booth. Its table was covered with brown paper for those who indulge in crabs but for us it was too early to enjoy their headliner. Instead, we ordered a lobster roll, a Maryland crab cake sandwich
and Clams Oreganata.
Delivered on a roll with a bulky piece of lettuce to give appearance
of meat aplenty, the very fresh lobster sandwich would have been near perfect with a
tablespoon more of the sea meat and a pinch of spice. Lots of fries and tiny
sides of tasteless coleslaw or equally dull potato salad came with the meals.
(Management
is deliberating whether fries will be included for the sake of presentation
going forward. I vote YES.) The Maryland crab cake was made with more crab meat
than bread, the way they should be. Clams Oreganata—clams in the shell baked
with breadcrumbs and olive oil with a sprinkle of cheese—were delicious. 
Carmine’s menu is ambitious with seafood galore: crabs,
shrimp, lobster, fish, seafood tacos, PEI mussels, Ipswich clams, conch
fritters, conch salad and more. A few
pasta entrees, some meat dishes and a kids menu will quash any reason for not visiting Carmine’s
Crab Shack. It’s casual, reasonably
priced and features a large, friendly bar (filled by 1 p.m.) for dining or socializing. Our server
did a great job and the manager came by to ask if we had any suggestions as we
left. This will be a busy dining spot; they are off to a great start.
Tags: Seafood restaurant Palm Beach Gardens, casual dining Palm Beach Gardens, lobster in Palm Beach Gardens, conch fritters in Palm Beach Gardens.
