It all started with two friends. Val Crovetto and Rangu Miah met 15 years ago in the restaurant industry, with Crovetto working as a general manager and Miah tending bar. Now they’ve brought together their expertise from running some of the top restaurants in the country to create The Shell Seafood Kitchen & Bar, a restaurant at 635 Amsterdam Avenue and West 91st Street that’s quickly becoming a neighborhood favorite among locals.
In a city of 25,000 restaurants, what sets The Shell apart? Its secret sauce is actually no surprise: Creating a great restaurant takes decades of experience. Beginning in the ‘90s, Miah has worked behind the bar at some of the top restaurants and hotels in Miami and has owned his own restaurant in Long Island for more than a decade. Crovetto’s experience is highlighted by his time at l’escale, a notable riverfront restaurant in Greenwich, Connecticut, as well as Hilton and Ritz Carlton hotels. He has won a James Beard Foundation award for Best Restaurant Service.
“The restaurant business is not easy at all. But you have to keep going,” said Crovetto. “For me, to lead by example is extremely important, and that’s exactly what I do. I always train people to not only do their job well, but also to grow in the business.”
This approach has led The Shell to have a deeply experienced and professional staff – especially in an industry known for high turnover. “Everybody that works here – servers, runners, bartenders – they have been working with me since 2010,” he said. “So the mentality we have is just hospitality. We’re very detail-oriented people. Everybody in this place has been trained by me for all these years, so when you come here, they make you feel like home.”
When it came to deciding where to open their restaurant, Crovetto and Miah initially considered downtown Manhattan. But as their realtor showed them locations on the Upper West Side, they were particularly drawn to the space at the corner of West 91st Street because of its large patio. “I think it was destiny. It was meant to be,” said Crovetto. The patio wraps around to the side street, providing a quiet atmosphere even amidst a vibrant neighborhood. As the seasons change, The Shell plans to add a canopy so that diners can enjoy the space even in the colder months.
The inspiration for The Shell’s menu came from the flavors of the Mediterranean, with Italian, French, and Spanish influences. Using high-quality ingredients is of the greatest importance. “We don’t buy anything frozen,” he said. “We cook as we go, like when you are at home.” Some favorites include: Citrus Crusted Chilean Sea Bass, Maine Lobster Ravioli, and Pan Seared Faroe Island Salmon. Each dish goes well with a signature cocktail or beverage of your choice. (Did we mention that happy hour is every day from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.?)
This home-style, family atmosphere is what keeps people coming back to The Shell. “Our mentality is to go beyond expectations,” said Crovetto. “When you come here, it’s a place where you can really relax because you know you’re being taken care of.”
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The staff at the Shell are such genuine and kind people. We’ve gone a few times for happy hour and recently had a small birthday celebration there – they were BEYOND accommodating, friendly and helpful. Their cocktails are delicious, and the patio is a little oasis. I’m so glad to see them getting well-deserved recognition!
I know this is a sponsored post, but I wanted to leave a genuine comment about The Shell. It’s an incredible restaurant and y’all should absolutely visit!!