Boston area lobster
 

Will be in Boston for a couple of days in mid Sept. I love a good lobster roll, and have had many in Maine. Any suggestions for lobster rolls and other seafood near Boston ? Thanks

There are several Legal Seafood restaurants in Boston.
http://www.legalseafoods.com/
They seem to be the best and largest.

Legal's is a local chain. The seafood is good but go to the Legal Harborside location for the view.
For lobster rolls, go to Neptune Oyster, Yankee Lobster, or take-out at James Hook. For seafood (and lobster rolls) try Island Creek Oyster Bar and Row 34. Both are more interesting and better than Legal. Make reservations.
Almost every Boston restaurant has good seafood on the menu as well. Summer Shack has a popular roasted whole lobster and Atlantic Fish is good and popular.

Much of the lobster in Boston is actually from Maine anyway. As the waters grow warmer and seafood is depleted in local waters, there is less off MA. Same for fin fish. If you find a bargain on lobster or fish, it is probably using frozen fish or has some other ingredient issue. Good seafood is not cheap.

We loved Neptune for the atmosphere as well as the food, but it's tiny and popular and doesn't take reservations, so a wait in line is to be expected.

Having been to a Legal's in Virginia, I can't see going to one in Boston when non-chain options exist.

We had great lobster rolls at the Park Plaza Hotel restaurant. Everything we ordered there was very good.

I was in Boston one gorgeous warm and sunny day. I went to the aquarium, and nearby found a simple outdoor eatery. That was the best lobster roll I've ever eaten. Might have had something to do with sitting in the sun, at the waterside.

That may have been James Hook.

I think you're right, cw. Thanks!

If you have a car, Woodman's of Essex is probably my favorite place to go for lobster, though I have never had the lobster roll. Within the city, my favorite "lobster roll" is the lobster BLT at B&G Oysters. Island Creek is excellent all around, but you should book ahead as it fills up quickly. James Hook is a good lunch choice if the weather is nice.

For basic steamed lobster in the city, Yankee Lobster has a small seating area inside and a small patio outside. They do a nice job and it will be cheaper than Legal.

Legal is still good and I wouldn't not go just because it is a chain. But their lobster dishes are priced a bit high, I find. I agree that Legal Harborside is the best location (I like the ground floor there).

<i>We had great lobster rolls at the Park Plaza Hotel restaurant. Everything we ordered there was very good.</i>

Was this the lobby restaurant or McCormick & Schmick's? If, the latter, M&S has closed within the last year.

No, definitely not M&C. Not a huge fan of M&C.

I think it was called Statler's Lounge when we were there in June 2014. It was open to the hotel lobby, on one side. But it looks like Statler's has been closed and replaced with another restaurant.

M&S, I mean.

We LOVE Luke's Lobster!!!!! http://lukeslobster.com/boston

It's fresh from Maine, all lobster (no mayo or other fillers) and you get tons of lobster!

Luke's Lobster started in New York. Allow me to be a New England snob and say that there is nothing New York can teach New England about lobster. And

Indeed, I've actually had Luke's Lobster Roll when they first opened in New York (my in-laws, not being from New England, raved about it). It was nothing special and is basically fast-food lobster. I give the guy credit for the concept, and they do do a good job for what they are, but New England is simply a different market and has better options available.

I have to agree with travelgourmet on this one. But while I found NYC famous Pearls to be pedestrian, I haven't had Luke's. Since I steam and pick and make the best lobster rolls, the fact that they process the lobsters in Maine and then ship the picked meat leaves me cold.

Thanks to the people on Fodor's, we went to Island Creek in December. Here is the review:

The best meal we had was at Island Creek. My wife and her sister had a small selection of oysters the best of which was the eponymous, Island Creek. They then share fried clams which were tender and a silky clam chowder. I had fish and chips and the fish was like buttah.

The bread was crispy and the desert Banoffee Pie with
dulce de leche and banana was smooooooth with a home made crust.

Although the staff was young they were all knowledgeable and extremely pleasant.
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We like Luke's as the lobster roll is sweet with a clean taste. The price of any lobster roll, any where, always seem ridiculous.
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Legal is fine and is a good choice when there aren't any other choices.

The price of a lobster roll, anywhere, reflects the very intricate and time consuming labor of those folks who remove the meat from the shell, and who deserve to be fairly compensated for their labor. If you are willing to take on the work, steamed lobster is available as low as U$4 per pound at most Boston area supermarkets, and a twin lobster dinner for U$14 at Mount Vernon restaurant, a short T ride, for one example.

Who's stalking who?

The price of lobster has always been an industry dirty secret. While the retail price of lobster changes from season to season, the $4 a lb is fleeting. But what I have always found interesting is the restaurant rates in which they don't list the price and rather say ' market' never seems to go down when the wholesale prices plummet. I also find it absurd that prix fix menus at fine dining restaurants will ad a surcharge/suppliment charge for lobster, when other proteins and vegetables are far more expensive. It's a nickle and dime game they play.

I will try Luke's to see if the lobster is sweet as morning shucked bugs.

Rather, who lives where? While one person may think it his divine right to dominate his 95% of the forum universe, another may also live where s/he comments and not even look beyond the comment at the poster's name.
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$4 a pound lobster is not fleeting; it is a regular 5-6 month long price around Boston, in supermarkets and at the docks where lobster boats are found.

For lobster rolls and a variety of seafood in a restaurant setting, Belle Isle Seafood, near Logan airport, has excellent quality and very good prices, in a basic setting with a great view.

If someone is willing/able to drive from Boston, there are indeed places that have a good lobster roll for $10.

<I>$4 a pound lobster is not fleeting; it is a regular 5-6 month long price around Boston, in supermarkets and at the docks where lobster boats are found.</I>

That is an exaggeration. Even during the cheapest time of year, $4 is pretty rare. And it will usually only be for chix. A more normal "good" price in Boston will be around $7 or $8.

" at the docks where lobster boats are found."

Where are these docks and lobsterman you speak of that sell of their boats in Boston?

"have a good lobster roll for $10."

Where are these places that have a good lobster roll? Belle Isles is around $25