Any mussel aficionado will likely tell you that one of his favorite traits of the dish is the broth. Whether wine-based or tomato, mussels are typically found swimming in this flavorful broth, with a good amount of crusty bread nearby for sopping. 

If you've never been to Timpano's for their famous skillet-roasted mussels, you may be in for a surprise. Instead of broth, these jewels of the sea arrive on a screaming hot skillet, tossed in crystal-like kosher salt and lots of extra-virgin olive oil. Because of the extreme heat they're cooked in, the mussels develop a crisp, almost pan-fried quality. A small dish of melted butter is served in the center for dipping. Drop a hunk of bread into the butter and then give it a good swipe in the blackened-salty skillet for a better-than-broth sopping experience.