I will be in Miami for the tennis tournament on Key Biscayne March 26-31, and we'll be staying at the Alexander Hotel at 52nd & Collins.

I'd like to get my fill of stone crab, but I really do not enjoy the experience at Joe's or Monty's. Does anyone know where to get the food without the bull?

Any other restaurant recommendations would also be appreciated. Last year, the only restaurant that was memorable was Pacific Time. I'll probably go back, but you really pay for it there.

Do Joe's takeout.
Nothing but the crab and no bull.

por vino

charlie's crab in Ft. Lauderdale?

Irwin

"Outside of a dog, a book is probably man's best friend; inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
-Groucho Marx

irwin, is the Charlie's Crab in Fort lauderdale owned by the same people who own the one in Palm Beach? We went to the PB one once and won;t go back. Too many alternatives in the area.

Just one more sip.

I think they are all owned by the same corporation, but are managed separately. I wouldn't go there except for Sunday brunch or if one wants Stone Crab Claws. I've been to the one in Palm Beach also and agree with you. I think there is one in Jupiter. I think there may be one more somewhere.
It isn't the greatest place. But, if you want Stone C Claws, I think it is ok.

Irwin

"Outside of a dog, a book is probably man's best friend; inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
-Groucho Marx

OTW- A little off topic, but I was recently there (I go every winter to the inlaws).

My favorite Sushi is Bond Street in the Townhouse hotel at about 20th or so and Collins. Great fish, very she-she, but worth it.

This last trip we went to Pearl, which is down around 4th(?) and Ocean. It's the trendy place in South Beach. My wife and I aren't that type, but once in a while it's good for a laugh. This place was a riot. Attitude up the wazoo, mediocre(or worse) food, and beautiful people everywhere. It's a restaurant that turns into a club at about 11:30. Recommended only if you're up for a laugh (we had a good time strictly because we don't take this sort of thing too seriously). If you're going to be pissed at paying $200 for this then don't go, it's not worth it.

Sorry again for being off-topic. I don't know the first thing about going out for stone crab there.

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Yes, but I came here for an argument.

Oh! Oh! I'm sorry, this is abuse.

charlies crab, gandy dancer , chuck and harolds and a couple of more owned by the same people an ccouple in mich. go to joes
for stone crab

I develop a craving for stone crab each season and take the wife and kids to miami for a week.This year we leave on the 11th of feb.Over the years i have scoured greater miami and vicinity for the best stone crab and eagerly i have always returned to joe's.I no longer go on treks to find better claws as i have discovered through gruelling trial and error that you get what you pay for and boy do you pay at joe's. Many of the appetizers at joe's are excellent the lyonaisse potatoes are the best anywhere, the creamed garlic spinach, the baked sweet potatoe,etc.I could go on. We are only in town for a week and we will go there twice.If you like blue crab there is a fun place near the ft. lauderdale airport called the rustic inn, very good food, not the ambience of joe's, but they attract a crowd and are generally full.Sorry about the length of this post but i am working up an appetite as i type.I can hear old roy right now recite the legendary, "Show Time"

I never go a restaurant for stone crab. I always pick up jumbo or collosal claws at Publix supermarket or at Carmine's Market (I think there is one in Aventura still). They are always fresh [NEVER BUY FROZEN STONE CRAB]. They'll crack the claws on request and pack them on ice, and they sell the mustard sauce (or you can make your own, it's pretty simple). Just take home or to a picnic spot, and enjoy with a sav. blanc or champagne.

It's like buying wine in a restaurant: you are spending 2 to 3 times as much for the exact same product. So save your money, or buy three times as much stone crab as you'd get in a restaurant, and have a feast.

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Charley's Crab in Palm Beach is part of the Landry's Seafood chain these days. It used to be owned by Chuck Muer, but was sold (along with Chuck and Harold's and the rest of the Muer restaurants) after Chuck and 3 others vanished off-shore in a storm as they were returning from the Bahamas on his yacht.

The restaurant in Palm Beach was just re-furbished. Still, as Board-O said, there are better places in the Palm Beaches to try, especially if you want seafood.

The Jupiter Charley's Crab closed down a few years ago.

their were three muers bros. chuck ,joe , the third i never met. all had rest.in fla. mich.the sale was in 98 i think. still go to joes.
use to work, at peter dinkles, nandos, breakers,70s-80s

Ah, the old Nando's in Palm Beach? It was a real shame when that place closed down. It was vintage Palm Beach.

it will alway's be part of me!
to bad richard ran it to the ground!

You're not referring to Nando's Beefeeder on Forest Hill Blvd, are you?

Just one more sip.

sorry that's not the one.

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

Rothko - I think your suggestion about buying the claws at a sea food counter and doing the picnic thing is interesting.

Grossie - I might drop into Pearl for some 'attitude a la wazoo' It seems there's so much of the attitude-thing down there that you should get it at a discount, but c'est la Vie. But I do find it entertaining to watch the little things strut their stuff.

OTW- make a reservation. YOu won't get in without one. We went on a Sunday night and it was hopping. We were told Sunday is the day to go. DOn't let them seat you out on the veranda. We sat at the Champagne bar instead and it turned out to be a great move. Remember, it's about the laughs there.

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Yes, but I came here for an argument.

Oh! Oh! I'm sorry, this is abuse.

Grossie - Do you have to order food at the Champagne bar? I'd rather just do drinks there. And I assume the later in the evening, the better the show?

No, you don't have to order food at the champagne bar but you can. I'm not sure about getting in at all without a reservation though. Also, the night we were there it was packed by around 10:30 or 11, and there was no way to get a seat at the champagne bar unless you were very lucky. We got there a little earlier than that.

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Yes, but I came here for an argument.

Oh! Oh! I'm sorry, this is abuse.

Sounds like we can do Crab Claws a la Rothko followed by Attitude du Wazoo au Pearl. Sounds like a grand plan for an evening in The Beach.

Make sure you post your Tasting Notes!

Has anyone heard of/been to Billy's Stone Crab on A1A in Hollywood?

Same family that owns Joe's. I think it's the owners ex.You would be going at least 1/2 farther from where you are staying. Do the take out ot try the Palm in Bal Harbour. 15 minutes from your hotel

what's good in Del Ray?

Irwin

"Outside of a dog, a book is probably man's best friend; inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
-Groucho Marx

Sauvignon Blanc seems like an obvious choice with Stone Crab. What about an unoaked chardonnay, or more specifically chablis, or a good sparkler?

I know that any of these would work, but which way would you go?

On the Wine, Billy's is garbage. Read my post again, Joe's is the best. If you don't like the atmosphere, take it out. As for shopping at Publix for stone crab, good luck!. They do not always have on hand, literally depends on which way the wind is blowing and if they do you will likely not get the size you want or be assured of them being fresh. You are on vacation and if you wish to grab some by the hit and miss method , then go for it.We just got back, Joe's was just fine, had my fill, all is well.