Pearl Oyster Bar

[ChowDiva]

Why haven't I been to this place before? I am so mad, I could have been eating their lobster roll for the last 12 years! Oh well, if you haven't been, go!

[Ora]

Shh...its already crowded, don't tell :)

Indeed, you were missing out.

[Blumie]

No reason to keep it quiet any longer. The last person not to know (ChowDiva) has just discovered it!

[ChowDiva]

I've known about it forever, just one of those places that I never got around to for some reason. Had I know what I was missing...
The wait wasn't too bad last night around 7:30. We waited for about half an hour. It was well worth it. I was out on Long Island this weekend and had a few lobster rolls, didn't even come close. Aside from the fresh, sweet lobster and whatever the recipe is for the delicious mayo concoction, the bun is awesome. It tastes like it's grilled with butter. I'd like to go back, ASAP.

[mainegirl]

Is it me but everytime I've been to Pearl (the best steamed clams in NYC that I've had) I see the lobster rolls and cringe. I grew up in Maine and never, ever would anyplace there use SO much mayo! I also think the meat looks stringy, not chunks like back home. I'm sorry, but for a real lobstah roll, you have to go to Maine.

[Blumie]

Yes it's you! There are different styles of lobster roll, and the style served at Pearl is very common throughout New England, even though not what you were used to growing up in Maine. I, too, prefer bigger chunks of lobster and less mayo, but the Pearl's product still is great.

[Abe Froman]

I absolutely love the Maine style as well (little or no mayo... my favorite at Jay's Oyester Bar in Portland)... but there is nothing comparable down here, or in much of New England for that matter so it's not worth griping about.

Fact is, most lobster rolls include mayo.

[christy319]

Wait a minute...so you haven't actually tried one? You know, you could just ask for light on the mayo. And I think the chunks are cut smaller than some places, but I like that, since it's hard to eat giant chunks or an entire claw in a bun.
I just finished a New England vacation (inlcuding Maine) and the best lobster roll I had anywhere was at Pearl.

[Blumie]

I wouldn't be surprised if the lobster salad is pre-made, in which case asking for light on the mayo won't do you any good.