Critic's Review
*** This restaurant is now the Chart House ***
Charley's Crab is a chain seafood restaurant owned by Landry's, who also own about 20 other restaurants you've never heard of. Unlike most chains, each brand only has a few restaurants. Charley's location on the intracoastal give it an ambiance that makes it a somewhat unique dining experience.
Inside, Charley's is a handsome place with a granite bar and lounge up front, an inside dining room in the rear and a large outdoor patio for waterfront dining. The bar has 2 smallish TVs. All in all, its a pretty nice place.
They serve lunch until 4pm everyday as well as dinner and their menu is fairly extensive. Be aware that Charley's is pretty expensive. Appetizers are about $12 and entrees run in the $30s.
You can get around the high cost by ordering their very good New England Clam Chowder for $6.99. They don't order the "cup" or "bowl"; it comes in a pewter bowl with a top; its loaded with clams and celery and its rather filling. You won't need much more than a salad or an appetizer to complete the meal. They also have some interesting bread; a garlic roll that is fantastic with a provided crab spread, and also a bisquit made with jalepenos with a gentle kick.
After the soup I opted for the steamed mussels with tomato, basil garlic and white wine.
I expected more of a tomato sauce but they really just throw chopped tomatoes in, and there wasn't much basil if any. The mussels just weren't good; I suspect they weren't fresh. They just didn't taste good. I wouldn't order them again.