Taking you along on the journey through my neck of the woods searching to find the best drinking venue on the 2.0 mile strip I call home.

Speed walking down Polk Street trying to beat the mid November chill in the air, I decide to stop in a little spot I’ve been meaning to try, Yabbies. Though the cursive typography on the sign above the entry make the name look like a misspelling of Rabies, I decide to press on and keep on the lookout for any feral animals passing underfoot. Briefly chatting with the maitre d’, I decide to take a seat at the bar (though I had my choice of any seat in the house as I was one of about four patrons).

Settling into my seat I decide to harass the bartender for a moment and get a little guidance on the restaurant’s name and origin.

Me: Hey, I saw the name on the sign outside, what’s “Yabbies?”

Bartender: If you can guess I’ll give you a free drink

Reaching for my trusty i-Phone I try to be discreet while Google searching “Yabbies” in every language I know and a couple I’ve never heard of.

Bartender: (Noticing my underhanded actions) Um…What do you think you’re doing?

Damn, caught red handed.

As it turns out Yabbies is a slang term for Australian Crawfish (who knew?) which is fitting as this restaurant has a great seafood selection and a nice happy hour menu. Ordering a trio of oysters ($1 each), two Dungeness crab cake (I love crab cakes) and a beer – which I had to pay for I relax at the bar and focus on my mini-meal. The décor matches the food (fresh) and even though the bar is a little quiet (maybe 6 pm is a little early to start drinking) the schizophrenic music selection (Mika–>Iron and Wine–>Notorious BIG…) helps the early evening pass by quickly).

While Yabbies will do in a pitch at happy hour time, the restaurant really shines as a (you guessed it) restaurant. With dishes including ceviche, an extensive seafood list and a New England clam bake with a whole lobster, a whole crab and more clams and mussels than the eastern seaboard, Yabbies can more than carry the lumber when it comes to any sized seafood craving. Paying my tab I continue along my way adding a new spot to my ever growing list. Walking out the door I know I’ll be back in the near future and next time I’ll be sure to be a little better with my i-Phone sleight of hand.

The Rundown:

Address: 2237 Polk St (Between Bonita and Green)

Hours: 6:00pm – 10:00pm Mon-Thu, 6:00pm – 11:00pm Fri-Sat, 5:30-9:30 Sun

Best Night: Thursday, Friday

Drinks: White Wine (yeah I can’t believe I’m saying it either). Ask your server for the best pairing based on your entree/ appetizer. The restaurant also features great happy hour wine specials.

Synopsis: A restaurant so clean, even the water tastes fresh. With an extensive seafood menu Yabbies is well worth the price of admission.