As we trekked to the UES, I moaned and groaned that this section of the city was only good for plastic surgery and department stores. After a 20-dollar taxi ride both up and across town, we landed at a meticulously clean and groomed building; these homes are as ubiquitous on the UES as street fairs and yoga studios are in downtown. Manifesting my uptown self, I threw on the remnants of my Roslyn wear and headed to an evening where homogeneity is welcomed and encouraged. Here I come...next stop...82nd Street.
Flex Mussels
Give me my own crock-pot and I’m already intrigued. Throw in a happening (yet slightly homogeneous yuppie) crowd, pommes frites to die for and abundance of one of my favorite types of shellfish – well, then I’m just a straight up happy chick/customer. Flex Mussels, although whose location I find utterly offensive (82nd between Lexington and 3rd Aves.) is playing into the one food gimmick (if you haven’t guessed already, MUSSELS) like many of its NYC predecessors; the difference – it works. The menu offers mussels in a variety of sauces ranging from traditional choices i.e. classic with white wine and herbs or spicy, Fra Diavolo to more innovative i.e. kalamata olive, garlic, tomato, oregano and olive oil (called Spartan) or dark beer, potatoes, caremized onions, saukercraut a.k.a. Dubliner! Mussels are served and priced by the pound and are heaping, huge and hot. If mussels ain’t your bag, or should I say pot (hehe), there are specials galore, a raw bar and an entire Not Mussels category on the menu that offers a mean lobster roll (a mayo man’s dream) and a mouth watering savory salmon dish (rockin presentation and Brussels sprouts aside) that I personally ordered and enjoyed. Good news downtowners, this uptown establishment is capitalizing on their high scores and praise and opening up a second mussel eatery on 13th and 6th Ave. 174 East 82nd Street | Between Lexington and Third Avenues (212) 717-7772