Crab Catcher

Set atop the small cliffline of La Jolla Village sits The Crab Catcher. Whether
sitting indoors with a panoramic ocean view or on the courtyard patio
taking in the ocean breeze it was an ideal place to enjoy the best Mai Tai I
can remember having. Crab specialties are made with Alaskan King Crab,
Blue Crab or snow crab in dishes such as a Crab Cake Sandwich, Crab
Stuffed Mushrooms, Crab Stuffed Fish, Crab Bisque, Crab Louie and
Southern Style Crab Cakes. One can't go to a place with a name like The
Crab Catcher and leave without trying the crab so we started with the
Southern Style Crab Cakes made with Blue Crab, old bay seasoning, sweet
chiles & citrus, pan seared and served over a spicy remoulade chipotle
vinaigrette and my personal favorite that day. The Crab Louie made with
Blue Crab, avocado, artichoke heart, tomato and lettuce with a sort of
thousand island dressing we got "to go" and enjoyed later along with their
delicious Crab Bisque which was made with a blend of crabmeats in a
creamy roasted pepper and shrimp broth. The New England Clam Chowder
was so rich and creamy and one of the best I've ever had. We were
unimpressed with the Hearts Salad which was described as "grilled
artichoke hearts, grilled hearts of palm and romain hearts", but arrived with
no grill marks, was piecy and meager. The Crispy Calamari had a charred
tomato horseradish sauce that made this appetizer worthwhile. Although
the Seared Ahi Napolean, stacked with layers of rare ahi, crispy wontons
and asian slaw was tasty, the ahi was sparse. The food is good here, but
not necessarily memorable. I would like to come back for the Pan Roasted
Mussels with gorgonzola croistini, the Ahi Entree which our waitress
boasted as her favorite is served with an asian pesto potato cake, and after
smelling the overwhelming sweetness of the Alaskan King Crab Legs I was
remorseful to not have ordered them, they smelled divine! Though the
dinner menu is slightly different from the lunch menu we ordered from they
also have a sunday brunch menu with additional breakfast items.
Appetizers range from $7 to $12, lunch you can expect to pay anywhere
from $8 for a salad to $24 for an entree, $18 to $40 for dinner entrees with
crab legs and lobster sold at market prices.

Located at 1298 Prospect Street in La Jolla.

Telephone (858) 454-9587

Website: www.crabcatcher.com