1 week Ago
The fleeting soft-shell crab season is here again and Charleston's chefs are yearning to wow their patrons with different renditions of the sought-after crustacean. Soft-shell season comes around every spring for about two weeks and happens as Atlantic blue crabs molt out of their hard shells when the water's climate and outdoor temperature is just right. A case of fresh and local soft soft-shell crabs.
A Lowcountry Shellfish salesperson said they've been difficult to catch right now because it's usually warmer at night during this time of year. With the fluctuations in water currents, unpredictable weather and the short molting period, pinning down these softies can be troublesome for local fisherman. And the demand is high as restaurants all over Charleston are putting in advance orders and waiting for cases of the sought-after crab.
Jared Skidmore from Rappahannock Oyster Bar mentioned that he preorders case by case in hope that crabs have molted and are ready to sell. "We sell a ton of them (soft-shell crabs)," Skidmore said, and they sell out fast. He added that people often get mad when softies are sold out, but that's the nature of the seasonal sweet and tender crabs.
"I'll try my hardest to get them back tomorrow." Chefs all over town plan their softie specials days or weeks in advance of their arrival, so keep your eyes peeled because the specials have a tendency to sell out in short order. And if you have any more restaurants featuring our crabby friends, you can send them to dsidorevich@postandcourier.
com . Soft shell crab on Lowcountry grits that will be served with bacon jam, fried green tomato and topped with crispy leek. 186 Concord St.
, downtown Charleston Head on over to Fleet Landing for a soft-shell crab appetizer paired with Lowcountry grits for $24. You can also add a second crab and call it an entrée for $46. The waterfront restaurant is also offering a classic soft-shell crab BLT sandwich with a fried soft-shell crab, bacon jam, lettuce and tomato on a bun for $30.
544 King St., downtown Charleston The Ordinary's crab is dredged in a mix of cornmeal and rice flour and fried, then served with a cherry tomato conserva along with a ramp aioli. 1081 Morrison Drive, Charleston Chef Bob Cook is promising two dishes, served all day when the crabs start coming in.
One dish features a cornmeal fried soft-shell crab with grits and Andouille gravy for $28. The other is a sandwich with tempura-fried black pepper soft-shell crab with papaya salad and tamarind vinaigrette for $26. 595 King St.
, Ste. 1, downtown Charleston King Street restaurant Pink Bellies is serving a reinterpretation of a Vietnamese Bahn mi, a soft-shell crab bun mi. A starch-coated, deep-fried soft-shell crab is served on an Annie Mae's milk bun with a shrimp pate, tartar sauce, bread and butter pickles and dill for $24.
A soft-shell sandwich with yuzu kosho butter, black garlic mayo, tsukemono napa cabbage, served on a sesame bun. 193 King St., downtown Charleston 167 Raw Oyster Bar is offering a tempura soft-shell with yuzu kosho butter, black garlic mayo and tsukemono napa cabbage on a sesame bun at $35, served all day or until it sells out.
765 Folly Road, James Island This James Island seafood restaurant will be serving their classic soft-shell sandy: a crab fried in a house batter atop a potato bun with tartar on both sides, a dash of hot sauce, pickles and American cheese for $21. They will also be selling crabs to go for those who want to cook them up at home for $15. 109 President St.
, downtown Charleston The chefs at Da Toscano Porchetta Shop are plating up a cornmeal crusted soft-shell on their signature focaccia sandwich bread with a lemon caper aioli, lettuce, tomato, onion and dill pickles. This spring, Indaco will feature soft-shell crab with bagna cauda and arugula. 526 King St.
, downtown Charleston Indaco presents soft-shell crab with butterbeans, celery, radish, red mizuna and a tangy herb vinaigrette. The King Street restaurant will also have a soft-shell spaghetti with tomato Calabrian chili, lemon butter and herbs as well as soft-shell crab with bagna cauda and arugula. 474 King St.
, downtown Charleston This downtown favorite brings a twist on the classic soft-shell crab sandwich with Sriracha aioli, pickled vegetables, Bibb lettuce and basil, served with a side of Old Bay fries for $22. 701 E. Bay St.
, No. 110, Charleston Chef Jared Skidmore is serving a crispy soft-shell crab over a rich corn butter with asparagus and a crunchy spring pea salad for $35. 232 Meeting St.
, downtown Charleston FIG's talented chefs will keep their tradition of simply sautéing the soft crabs in golden brown butter and gently garnishing them with green garlic and a few chilies throughout the season. 404 King St., downtown Charleston Crisp South Carolina soft shell crab salad with arugula, fennel, basil, sweet peppers, radish and a grilled lemon vinaigrette.
Head on over to Gabrielle for lunch and enjoy a local soft-shell crab po' boy with grilled tomato, Bibb lettuce, a fennel slaw and Cajun remoulade on a ciabatta roll. During dinner, patrons can order a soft-shell crab salad with arugula, fennel, basil, sweet peppers, radish and a grilled lemon vinaigrette. 9 Lockwood Drive, downtown Charleston Chow down on a tasty local favorite, the soft-shell crab BLT, by the water at the Marina Variety Store in Charleston.
88 Broad St., downtown Charleston Sorelle is offering Carolina soft-shell crabs, served Piccata-style with brown butter, lemon and Sicilian caper. Brasserie la Banque will be serving an elegant dish of pan-roasted soft-shell with butterbeans, citrus and sauce gribiche 1 Broad St.
, downtown Charleston French restaurant Brasserie La Banque is bringing together an elegant dish of pan-roasted soft-shell crab with butterbeans, citrus and sauce gribiche..
