| Author |
Message |
    
Joe Krause
Citizen
Username: Wkrause3
Post Number: 10
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 11:18 am: |     |
I just recently dined at the legal seafood in Paramus, NJ and I must say it was better than I thought. The waiter explained to me that none of the seafood is more than 2 days old and it shows in the taste of the dish. I am told the one in short hills is very busy with long waits on the weekends so i will stear clear of it.
Bottom line is that Legal Seafoods is worth a shot even though it is a chain. We love our local places here on MOL. I am just happy that 2 locations are so close. (Just a side note: They have over 150 different wines and 4 chard. wines by the glass)
Let me know if anyone else has tried this place and feels the same way. |
wbwallflower
Citizen
Username: Wbwallflower
Post Number: 102
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 11:47 am: | |
I really like it as well... never been to the one in Paramus but I've been to the one in Short Hills many times. There is a wait if you don't call in advance but making reservations is easy. Also, they're very good about replacing dishes you don't like.. I decided to try Halibut one day and didn't like it so the waiter insisted I try another dish and brought it out immediately. The food is great and so is the service. |
Stuart0628
Citizen
Username: Stuart0628
Post Number: 113
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 11:54 am: | |
We've been consistently very happy with the Legal Sea Foods experiences we have had in Short Hills, Paramus and West Nyack.
Top-notch fish, great sides, fish-shaped ravioli for the kids, and some very stiff adult beverages. |
Lisa Ebert
Citizen
Username: Boomie
Post Number: 159
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 12:12 pm: | |
Legal Seafood is awesome. |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 337
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 12:23 pm: | |
All things considered, we think Legal is the best restaurant in the area. |
Georgie
Citizen
Username: Georgie
Post Number: 64
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 1:03 pm: | |
If you go...you must get the clam chowder. The best I ever had (and I lived in Boston and tried them all). |
Eats Shoots & Leaves
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 2141
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 1:07 pm: | |
I used to know the owners in Boston where their location in the Back Bay is legendary. The food was always superb, even though they were a destination-circus type of tourist place. The wait staff was always wonderful. I am glad to hear that this has survived expansion and franchising.
As a side note, the founding family, the Berkowitz's, had a famous family rift where the older son was annointed the head of the company, the middle son got ticked and set up a competing restaurant right across the street. Made for lots of gossip in the Boston business pages. |
Starletta8
Supporter
Username: Starletta8
Post Number: 87
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 7:13 pm: | |
I formerly worked at Legal, so I actually know quite a bit about the place. All new hires for the front of the house have to go through a rigorous education process and pass periodic tests.
Having worked in a number of food service jobs, Legal is by far the cleanest one I've seen. All of their fish is either dayboat or top-of-the-catch. From there, it's all processed at a quality control center in Boston, where certain standards have to be met. Any fish not totally up to standards is rejected. Fish, once it arrives to the resteraunt, is 24-36 hours old. It's never been frozen (with the exception of smelts and shrimp), and is discarded within 5 days. That's why Legal is somewhat pricey-- but worth it! Did you know that some of the supermarket fish can be upwards of 2-3 weeks old??? Eww!
And the New England Clam Chowder is amazing... served at the past 6 presidential inagurations. I still stop by to pick up a quart from time to time. One of the perks of working there was chowder with fresh rolls... Yum.
Oh, and as for the "chain" distinction: Legal claims that they aren't a chain resteraunt. According to their terminology, they're a "series of family-owned resteraunts." Aka, to them, the main quality that makes a set of resteraunts a chain is franchising. The Berkowitzes own all Legal locations.
And Joe, the one in Short Hills is great. Just call 1-2 weeks in advance for a weekend reservation during peak dining times, a few days for any other time.
Also, the Short Hills location is all smoke-free, and the bar is also full service. Those tables are first come, first serve, with the same menu and service. |
phyllis
Citizen
Username: Phyllis
Post Number: 413
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 9:16 pm: | |
We had eaten at the one in Nyack a couple of times when the SH one opened. The first time we went was a minor disaster (wait double what we were told, entrees out before apps, for example). We politely expressed our frustrations to the waitress and within five minutes the manager came over and told us the meal was on the house tonight in the hopes that we will come again.
Well we have and we love it there! I love the kids menu. It ain't cheap - but there are options other than chicken fingers and pizza. Last time, they gave us a kid's salmon. Comes with fresh fruit rice and corn on the cob. I don't mind paying a few bucks more for something healthy for a change. |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 1190
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 10:32 pm: | |
I love the place, but -- and I realize this is something of a ridiculous complaint -- there is absolutely NOTHING but seafood on the menu. Which means my wife will never go there. |
wbwallflower
Citizen
Username: Wbwallflower
Post Number: 103
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 10:40 pm: | |
cmonty- they do have a few items on the menu that aren't seafood... sirloin steak, filet mignon, chicken breast, and a vegetarian dish. so while it's limited, maybe she'll be willing to give it a try anyway! |
AntoninaKC
Citizen
Username: Antoninakc
Post Number: 79
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 11:28 pm: | |
Since I dont care for seafood, I've had the sole chicken dish on the menu~ no complaints! |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 1191
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 9:38 am: | |
My wife may have misled me.... she alleged to have checked, and swore there was nothing but fish. But then, she's like that.
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wbwallflower
Citizen
Username: Wbwallflower
Post Number: 109
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 11:45 am: | |
If you want to prove her wrong there's a menu on the website! 
http://www.legalseafoods.com/index.cfm?pk=content&cd=LOCATION&pid=0&cdid=12024 |
Parkbench87
Citizen
Username: Parkbench87
Post Number: 2356
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 19, 2005 - 3:18 pm: | |
I usually travel to Boston for business half a dozen times a year and usually eat at one of the Legal Seafods there. Of course my company is paying for it so I make sure I eat well.
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