Thursday, January 21, 2010

Something 'fishy' at London Lennie's

From the NY Times:

Leslie Barnes was not born in the Fulton Fish Market, but almost. As a sprat of 5, he accompanied his father on predawn forays to buy seafood for their restaurant, London Lennie’s on Woodhaven Boulevard in Rego Park, Queens, founded in 1959. Leonard, the father, a cockney sailor who parlayed four fish and chips stands in London into his stake in the colonies, is gone, so Leslie Barnes, 54, the father of four daughters, is the big fish now.

That is one ugly fish!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is he a flounder, a fluke? He looks like the flatfish I used to get in the Sound, but his color is wrong.

faster340 said...

I wouldn't be putting any part of that ugly thing on my plate that's for sure. Now I realize in part why I am not a real seafood person.... LOL

Queens Crapper said...

I've been told it's a John Dory fish.

Klink Cannoli said...

I've been racking my brain about this fish all day. I'm very curious. It looks like it's a salt water flatfish of some kind. I'm not sure about it being a John Dory though, QC. AKA the Saint Peter fish. No spots. The St. Peter Fish spots are supposed to represent the imprint of St Peter's thumb and fore finger made as he took a piece of money from the fish's mouth.

*shrugs*

We need an avid angler's input.

Babs said...

From googling I got the following info on the John Dory:

"The John Dory is one of the most distinctive fish in the Mediterranean, and also one of the most expensive -- the bony head and gut account for a significant percentage of the fish's weight, and therefore you get less edible fish for your money than is true with many other fish. Fortunately, what you do get is quite good, and splits easily into four boneless filets."

After reading the above - it makes sense that a restaurant would serve this fish. I also think a restaurateur would not have his picture taken with just ANY fish.

I'd love to taste it - I guess I'll have to go there!

PizzaBagel said...

My favorite name for a fish, even before QC, has been -- drum roll, please -- the crappie! I've never had one, though.

I checked Wikipedia and can attest that the fish in the photo is definitely not a crappie. It looks similar to the picture in the Wikipedia article on the John Dory fish, but not quite. It's missing the distinctive spot, as Klink said.

So the jury is still out on this one.

Queens Crapper said...

An American (or Silvery) John Dory does not have the spot.

Anonymous said...

I have never gone to London Lennies, I am not sure why. Perhaps its because they do not advertise - out of sight, out of mind. I do go the Waterfront Crab house though for years - a fun good food nice people place.

Queens Crapper said...

Actually, it advertises frequently in local papers.

Moscone Bail Blog said...

I had a great meal at London Lennie's last week...probably the best I ever had there. They are running a prix fix deal 5 days a week now too, $25 for starter, entree and dessert.