You may have been shocked – shocked! – that in my previous posts about my week in New York where I visited Chelsea Market and Todd English Food Hall, both where I had pictures that showed lobster rolls were available, that I did not eat lobster while there.
Believe me, I was very very tempted. I am a sucker for lobster rolls. There was one time all I asked for my birthday were lobster rolls, and after being gifted some shipped from the Northeast, I ate them everyday. Hmm, I might ask for that gift again…
One of the reasons I was able to resist (though it was very hard… I promise you each time I probably stood and gazed longingly at the lobster for a couple minutes and tried to rationalize if I could order it, have a few bites, and still have the meal I planned and save the rest away in the hotel fridge) was thanks to Pearl Oyster Bar.
You see, that’s because I ordered the lobster roll there. And Pearl is pretty reknown for their lobster roll, among many other things on their menu.
I loved it. I visited on a Sunday evening, relatively early in the evening so the restaurant had only just opened for dinner service. I sat at the bar, where I chatted with the New Yorkers on the barstools on each side of me (both turned out to be regulars) and the friendly and knowledgeable barkeep poured such a crisp delightful white wine that I couldn’t help but want to linger.
The whole feel of this restaurant in Greenwich feels so fabulously classic New York. It’s close quarters in there, so be prepared to get cozy, and there may be people waiting anxiously for you to vacate your seat at this small restaurant that takes no reservations.
I think the best seats are at the marble bar.
As an appetizer, I could have gone with the tasty sounding fried oysters, or safe and well reviewed clam chowder. But I remember that Amanda Hess once wrote a chapter about dining alone at Pearl, and she had ordered the Salt Crusted Shrimp. So there was no question in my mind that was what I would get too.
Maybe I was supposed to eat that daintily with a fork, but I totally did so with my fingers. Well, ok I did use the fork with the green beans… mostly.
And then it was time for that famed lobster roll, possibly the best lobster roll in New York. I feel a need to test this more.
In fact, one of my bucket list dream vacations is to just travel the Northeast of the US eating lobster rolls. For some reason, vegetarian F is not as thrilled by this roadtrip idea. But I tell you, I don’t know any limits on my ability to enjoy sweet, succulent lobster. Well, I at least had you, Pearl Oyster lobster roll, to tide me for a while until then.
What are your thoughts on lobster rolls? Have you ever had a real New England lobster roll before?
Other New York highlights from this trip that I have blogged about:
- Scenes from Chelsea Market and Todd English Food Hall
- Best Bagel Sandwich in New York: Russ & Daughters
- Midtown Manhattan Lunches – Xian Famous Foods, ‘wichCraft, Zucker’s Bagels & Smoked Fish
- Bouchon Bakery Rockefeller
- Momofuku Noodle and Momofuku Milk Bar
What a lovely restaurant! I’m not a huge lobster (or shellfish in general person), but those plates look tempting, even to me!
Oh my goodness. I can’t even… YUM! I went to college in Boston and had lobster rolls galore while going to school and traveling throughout New England. I am so in LOVE with real lobster rolls! I make shrimp rolls here, but it’s not the same. I do miss real New England lobstah and would pay good money for a regular shipment of fresh lobster every week. Unfortunately, there’s a pesky mortgage and kids that for some reason demand to be fed from time to time… 😉 These rolls look delicious! And so does that salt crusted shrimp!