Uh-oh, Boise. Your tab at this new ‘fun dining’ restaurant downtown may ‘get out of hand’

Michael Deeds
·4 min read

For Boiseans splurging on a pricey dinner downtown, there will be a philosophical decision to make soon.

Would they prefer to be pampered at a formal, upscale restaurant with friends or family?

Or would everyone rather wear a bib and get messy?

The SEA Crab House — soft opening July 8 on the second floor of the Zions Bank building — will offer the latter option.

“It’s not fine dining,” explains Christophe Adrien, the regional chain’s president. “It’s fun dining.”

Coming to the former Flatbread Neapolitan Pizzeria spot at 800 W. Main St., the Bend, Oregon-based operation specializes in Cajun-style seafood boils. The SEA Crab House offers signature and build-your-own boils, along with lobster and crab rolls, clam chowder, fish and chips, tacos, salads and more.

Seafood, Thai sauces

What separates it from competitors isn’t just the seafood quality, Adrien says. It’s the Southeast Asian sauces (the “SEA” before “Crab House”). They’re inspired by founder Pattaraporn Lorwatcharasophon, a Thai immigrant who launched the regional chain in 2018. Her memoir, “Patta’s Empire,” is available at Amazon.

“When you try them,” Adrien says, “you’re like, ‘Ah, never tasted this before. It’s delicious!”

The SEA Crab House’s prebuilt boils — which serve two diners, generously, Adrien says — range from $99 to $199. The most popular one is the Pacific Northwest’s Best ($139). It’s “loaded,” the menu says, with a whole Dungeness crab, shrimp, clams, mussels and corn on the cob.

The goal at the SEA Crab House is to bring people together to enjoy a communal, delectable, hands-on meal, according to Adrien.

“It does come with a price tag,” he admits. After all, this is market-priced seafood. The cost can fluctuate depending on time of year — or even day to day.

Seafood prices fluctuate. In March, the Bend restaurant posted on Facebook that “Dungeness crab is ON SALE! Add a live two-pound Crab to your boil (fished right out of the tank) for only $38. What a deal!” SEA Crab House/Facebook
Seafood prices fluctuate. In March, the Bend restaurant posted on Facebook that “Dungeness crab is ON SALE! Add a live two-pound Crab to your boil (fished right out of the tank) for only $38. What a deal!” SEA Crab House/Facebook

Servers are trained to guide diners, Adrien says, helping them choose the type of seafood they enjoy most, the type of experience they want — and, yes, the final bill they’re expecting.

“It can actually get out of hand,” he says. “That’s why we work with people and make sure they’re sticking within a budget of what they want.

“Some people don’t care. It’s such a fun experience.”

Tacos on Tuesdays

And one driven by seafood quality, he adds, whether it’s the Maine lobster, Alaska king and snow crab, or Dungeness crab form the Oregon and Washington coasts.

“Anything less than the best is unacceptable. All of our ingredients. Basically, we have the biggest shrimp. We have the fattest pieces of crab. We don’t cut any corners when it comes to the food quality.”

SEA Crab House does have moderately priced options, too. If you’re looking for a tasty, affordable lunch — something great for takeout — visit on a Tuesday. That’s when you’ll find three codfish street tacos, topped with housemade Thai garlic chile sauce, for $10. Normally, it’s $19. A chicken taco version is available, too, for those who aren’t wild about seafood. (What’s wrong with you? OK, some people do have allergies.)

The SEA Crab House also has trio of fresh crab tacos for $29. “And there’s a lot of crab meat in there,” Adrien says. “It’s filling. My mom ate one and she’s, like, ‘I’m good.’ And it comes with three.“

“Super Kim” SEA Noodles ($35) were created by co-owner Kim Dacha. He “blended Cajun cream sauce with Thai seasonings to create an explosion of savory flavor, with Japanese ramen noodles, shrimp, clams, and mussels,” the restaurant explained on Facebook, adding that a chicken option also is available. SEA Crab House/Facebook
“Super Kim” SEA Noodles ($35) were created by co-owner Kim Dacha. He “blended Cajun cream sauce with Thai seasonings to create an explosion of savory flavor, with Japanese ramen noodles, shrimp, clams, and mussels,” the restaurant explained on Facebook, adding that a chicken option also is available. SEA Crab House/Facebook

After its soft opening in early July, the SEA Crab House will host a grand opening on Thursday, July 13. There’s seating for 120, but the restaurant also will offer carryout — and delivery through Uber Eats.

Hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

In addition to the new Boise restaurant, SEA Crab House also operates in Bend, Beaverton and Astoria — plus in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. A Portland restaurant also is planned.

‘Crushing’ in Seattle

“If you want to see just how well we do,” Adrien says, “go to the Google review page for the Seattle location, where they have 24 seafood restaurants within a 3-mile radius to compete with. We’re competing with the best of the best in Seattle, and we’re crushing it.”

The SEA Crab House also would like to open in Meridian, he adds.

But, for now? Look out, Boise.

No, seriously. Watch yourself. When you start feasting by the pound and slopping crustacean goodness all over yourself, reality eventually bites.

“Sometimes our ticket prices are pretty high,” Adrien agrees. “But it’s because people just really completely binged on the seafood!”