I'm always on the lookout for new things. I love trying new places and discovering new concepts. While driving through the Charlesbourg area, the Seau de Crabe restaurant immediately caught my attention; firstly, because of its intriguing name, and secondly, because it was a seafood restaurant. As a shellfish lover, I couldn't resist. Once I got home, I immediately checked the menu. It was decided: it would be next on my list.

The following Friday, my boyfriend and I met there for dinner. As soon as we walked in, our first surprise: the place was much smaller than it appeared from the outside. We were expecting a more spacious dining room. The second surprise: the fast-food feel. Given the prices and the style of the menu, I had imagined a slightly more refined concept. No problem, we sit down at a table for two, a little cramped, but curious. The server comes to explain how it works, and we're ready to order.

A Feast for Two in a Bucket
The famous buckets are quite expensive, especially those containing—surprise—crab. The server reassures us: one bucket is enough for two, especially if you add an appetizer. That's exactly what we do with a plate of shrimp, squid, and fries. For the main course, we choose the Bucket of Seafood Delights: 1 lobster tail, 16 shrimp, and 8 mussels.

Three choices then arise:

The sauce: we choose the signature Crab Bucket.
The spiciness: mild for me; my taste buds are sensitive.
The sides: rice and corn, leaving out the potatoes.

A friendly, no-frills atmosphere
While waiting, we put on our bibs and plastic gloves like everyone else. The atmosphere is good-natured: everyone seems to be taking it seriously... without taking themselves seriously. One small drawback: there's no alcohol on the menu. There's a non-alcoholic cocktail and a de-alcoholized beer, but we pass.

The spectacle of the bag and the uniformity of flavors
When the server returns, it's quite a spectacle. He starts by placing a tray in the center, pouring in the rice, then vigorously shaking an inflated bag filled with seafood to empty the contents on top. It's playful, a bit theatrical; we like it. The starter arrives at the same time, which is a bit disappointing at first... but we ultimately appreciate it. It allows for a variety of flavors, as all the seafood is covered in the same sauce. Delicious, yes, but it ends up homogenizing the taste of the entire dish.

Verdict: A great experience worth trying once
In summary, I enjoyed the experience, and I recommend the place to those looking for a fun, delicious... and messy meal. It's not the kind of restaurant that makes you want to become a regular, but for a night out with friends or a special occasion, it works very well. The prices are high, but this is justified by the quality of the ingredients. A unique restaurant, worth at least one visit.

Rating:
8/10
What struck me most about my visit:
The concept


The house specialty:
Seafood

The most expensive main course on the menu:
$83.99, Festive Ocean Bucket or Royal Delights Bucket

The least expensive main course on the menu:
$12.99, Shrimp Salad

Do I recommend this restaurant:
Yes

What time of day did I visit:
Dinner

Pros:
Themed decor
The bib and gloves to avoid getting dirty
The originality of the menu

Cons:
Small dining room
No alcohol