I’ve been on a bit of a lobster kick this summer and, having sampled the delicious specimens from Montauk’s Lobster Roll Restaurant, Red Hook Lobster Pound, and even Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough (an excellent little seaside shack in Noank, CT that’s worth the drive), I certainly haven’t been at a loss for good meals. But when my friend suggested we seek out lobster rolls for dinner last week, my mind immediately jumped to Luke’s Lobster in the East Village.
Though I’ve seen some buzz around Luke’s in the blogosphere, I was truly intrigued when I read about the place in New York Mag’s excellent lobster roundup in the summer issue. With fresh lobster shipped down from Maine, some light seasoning, and a nice price, Luke’s roll certainly seemed enticing. But what I was most excited about was the “Taste of Maine” menu option. For $20, you get three mini rolls (filled with lobster, shrimp, and crab), plus a pair of Empress claws, chips, and a soda, including offerings from Maine Root (with flavors like sarsaparilla, blueberry, and Mandarin orange). I’m always a fan of options that let you try as many items as possible, so this offering was right up my alley.
And I’m thrilled that I got to try all the varieties of sandwich in miniature, because (and I know this is heresy) I might have enjoyed the crab sandwich most of all. As a caveat, I’m a sucker for crab, but this particular roll was moist, flavorful, and decadent. The lobster roll tasted wonderfully salty and fresh, true to Luke’s fresh-from-the-ocean pledge. To my palate, the lobster roll was a bit on the dry side, but that is easily remedied. Luke’s offers extra butter or mayo, so you can dress your roll to your heart’s desire. Though I thought Red Hook Lobster Pound’s offering did a little better at getting the ratio of mayo to claw meat right, Luke’s will certainly be a favorite for those who prefer little to no noticable mayo on the sandwich. And Red Hook certainly doesn’t boast any sort of tasting package nor is it offered in a convenient location, so Luke’s has the edge there. I’ll happily take a quick trip downtown for another sampling of Luke’s fantastic (and fantastically priced) seafood.
Posted by: Nicole Price Fasig
Order: Taste of Maine
Price: $$
Location: 93 E. 7th St (between 1st Ave. and Ave. A) and 242 E. 81st St. (at 2nd Ave.)
Type of Food: Seafood
Veggie Friendly? N
www.lukeslobster.com
Tags: East Village, Seafood, Upper East Side
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