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Food Trends: Flex Mussels Gains Strength

SEPTEMBER 17, 2010

Could mussels be the new food fad?

What the French and Belgians refer to as les moules—mussels—have long been a staple in continental fare. But a restaurant called Flex Mussels has given the bistro bivalve the have-it-your-way treatment that brought fame and fortune to dumplings, mac-and-cheese, frozen yogurt and a host of other oddly satisfying menu items.

The restaurant has been with us for a while (since 2008), but it speaks to both the city’s growing love for seafood snacks and its obsession with restaurants that do one thing (ideally) right. Started by a pair of Prince Edward Island transplants, Flex Mussels has held its own quite nicely at 174 East 82nd Street on the Upper East Side. While you’ll find plenty of alternate seafood on the menu, the spotlight is on the restaurant’s namesake: P.E.I. mussels in 23 different sauces including Funghi (wild mushroom, bacon, garlic and cream).

A new downtown location just opened at 154 W 13th Street. A weekday all-you-can-eat-for-20-bucks dinner special is in line with the no-splurge neo-gourmet snack rule, and a sake menu adds to the multi-national experience.