Higgie’s Food and Ice Cream

Connecticut Lobster Lover’s Guide

July 15, 2015

Connecticut Lobster Lover’s Guide

If Connecticut ever had to name an official state food, it would probably be a close call between pizza and lobster. Of course, lobster has been on the Connecticut menu a lot longer, dating back to the days before the European settlers arrived. Today it’s available everywhere, served in all sorts of ways and always hard to say no to. Here is a quick look at some of the best Connecticut lobster purveyors.

Lobster Rolls: Connecticut, 80 years ago was the birthplace of the hot lobster roll, now commonly called the Connecticut lobster roll. It began at the eatery called Perry’s in Milford when the proprietor heated up freshly picked lobster meat, doused it with melted butter and put it on a bun. Simple, but delicious. You can find modern day versions at Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock in New London, Lobster Landing in Clinton, Lobster Shack in Branford, and Johnny Ad’s in Old Saybrook. Try lobster rolls and homemade slaw at Higgie’s Food and Ice Cream in Higganum or daily caught lobster where sweet lobster meets toasty buns at Guilford Lobster Pound in Guilford. Ride the charity carousel (which features a lobster chariot) before ordering a hot buttered lobster roll at Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale in Madison. Savor poached king lobster rolls at Knapp’s Landing Restaurant in Stratford.

Whole Lobsters: Sometimes only a complete lobster will do, complete with bib, shell cracker and accompanying melted butter. You can find yours at seafood restaurants such as Westbrook Lobster in Clinton and Wallingford, Carmen Anthony’s Fish House in Woodbury, Max’s Oyster Bar in West Hartford, at classic steakhouse, The Capital Grille in Stamford or David Burke Prime at Foxwoods Resort Casino, where every Monday is Lobster Night. For a unique treat, head for The Place in Guilford, where you can dine outdoors with a crackling wood fire cooks your lobster to smoky perfections.

Lobster Mac & Cheese: This could be the ultimate comfort food, and now it can be found at a number of places around Connecticut. You can give it a try at Mac N’ Out in Milford and MacDaddy’s in Monroe, both of which specialize in many different sorts of mac & cheese, or lobster specialist Lobster Craft in Darien.

Lobster Bisque: Creamy, with a touch of sherry, lobster bisque is a wonderful way to taste a favorite crustacean. You can get yours at a full-fledged restaurant such as Good News Café in Woodbury, The Lazy Lobster in Milford or Gaspar’s in New London. Or you might try the more casual approach at Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough in Noank (who will also ship lobsters or lobster rolls to your door) or the Clam Castle in Madison.

Miscellaneous: Still not satisfied? Go ahead and try the classic New England Shore Dinner (chowder, cherrystones, lobster, steamers, corn) at Lenny’s in Branford, or the lobster pot pie at U.S.S. Chowder Pot IV in Hartford or Flander’s Fish Market & Restaurant in East Lyme or perhaps the lobster sliders at Plan B Burger Bar in Simsbury and other locations.

“Work With What You Got!”

© Victoria Hart Glavin Tiny New York Kitchen © 2015 All Rights Reserved

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