SF Lobster Shack
Disappointed is the mildest adjective I can use and still be truthful!
The only thing reminiscent of the New England coast was the rock-hard potatoes in the potato salad. The saltwater flavor of the lobster was not that desirable ocean-y one but rather resembled plain old water and salt, as if the lobster meat had been soaking in same. The cole slaw seemed to have a vague hint of powdered tarragon, though the presence of vinegar and various hot sauces on the table made it possible to "punch up"--are you all as sick of that cliche as I?--the flavor. Celery salt came back on me later--not sure which item was the culprit.
I asked that butter be omitted from the roll; it was not.
The fish in fish and chips reminded me of kitchen sponge.
Add to that a really depressing room and you've got a recipe for shipwreck unless someone rethinks this operation from top to bottom immediately.
I have never visited the Redwood City place so have no comparison.
Sorry I couldn't find anything positive to say, but we eat out less frequently than we used to so bad experiences count for even more in comparison.
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Gary Soup
Mar 11, 2007 11:54 PM
I still think it's too pricey for North Beach. I don't thing there's enough pathological New England nostalgia around to sell many $18 sandwiches. You can probably get a whole set dinner with live Jazz at Andrew Jaeger's (to cite another "theme" venture) for about the price of a NBLS sammich and a beer.
It probably belongs at Pier 39.
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Pincho
Mar 11, 2007 01:52 PM
I assume you mean:
North Beach Lobster Shack
532 Green St.I tried it recently as well. I thought the roll was at about the same level as their branch in Redwood City, and as Yankee Pier in Santana Row at San Jose (and at SFO). Not bad, but just missing the delicate "lobster-ness."
I liked that they give the option of serving the roll "naked" with both drawn butter and mayo on the side. I prefer my rolls with mayo and lobster only (i.e. no celery!) so was able to mix my own.
I found the space a bit campy but not at all depressing, personally. Though they better invest in new signage quickly. If I didn't have the address in hand and my heart set on a lobster roll, I may have passed it by.
Born in RI and having also lived some time in Maine, I've got a special fondness for lobster and lobster rolls... I'll try every place I hear has them here, but in the end, steaming them at home and getting them into a buttery toasted roll just with some mayo (and mixing the roe and tomalley in as well... important for that lobsteriness, I wonder if these places do that?) is somewhat cheaper (not that much cheaper though frankly), tastes so much better, and is so darn easy... probably won't make this or any other SF joint a regular stop for lobster rolls.
I would, however, like to return and try their fried clams.
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By SF Lobster shack do you mean the one on Market, Woodhouse Fish Co ? The Old Port Lobster Shack in Redwood City is the only location and I didn't think it had opened up another location so soon
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