The unseasonably warm fall weather that we have been blessed (or cursed with, depending on your preference) called for some light lunch fare last week. I headed downtown to Lobster Joint on Houston Street with my father and sister. Lobster Joint’s decor brims with New England charms, from its wooden benches and stools to its domineering chalkboard that artfully lists the entire menu. The three of us stuck with a classic lobster roll, but each had slight variations.
My father ordered his lobster roll New England style. His lobster was served cold in a fresh herb mayo with celery. Contrastingly, my sister ordered her roll Connecticut style, with the lobster served warm on a toasted bun with melted butter. I opted for the lobster club for some extra flavor. It is served New England style with avocado and bacon. All of the rolls come with a side of either French fries, homemade potato chips or salad. The right choice is always, always the potato chips. I made the mistake of being a bit health conscious and ordered the salad. You would think that after ordering a massive lobster roll I would toss my health qualms to the wind, but alas, mistakes are meant to be made to learn from and I have undoubtedly learned my lesson.
The lobster in all of our rolls was incredibly fresh and succulent. I was very content with my choice in the club. The smooth and buttery avocado complemented the lobster nicely, while the crunch of the crispy bacon added just the right contrasting dimension, not to mention a tasty kick of smokiness. They definitely do not skimp on the lobster. Every roll was piled high with a mound of fresh lobster. Consider it a small victory if you are able to eat your entire roll without the help of utensils.
In specialty restaurants like this one, I usually find it best to stick to the basic menu items, so I was a little bit hesitant to order something that strayed from the classics. Along with our main dishes, we ordered the lobster mac n cheese to be shared among the three of us. All I had to do was look at the steaming hot tray of cheesy, gooey, buttery lobster goodness. This dish can absolutely be shared among more than three. It is especially rich and decadent, but oh so good. While I was indulging in a heaping forkful, I was toying with different additions that would make this dish out of this world. Some paprika or truffle sea salt would enhance the flavors and take them to new heights. I also think that a light layer of toasted panko would be a wonderful addition to incorporate another texture and add a little bit of complexity. That being said, a simple dish made with high quality ingredients cannot be beat. The overall experience was more than enjoyable. Good food and even greater company never gets old.
