Lobster in Calgary??

[dollykat]

My daughter would like to try lobster for her 13th birthday dinner. I was thinking of taking her to 'Red Lobster' for a tail or two.

Just wondering if the Calgary hounders had any other suggestions. I think she would prefer a traditional presentation (butter, etc.) rather than asian, etc., but any suggestions would be appreciated.

[nonlinear]

Catch, near Hyatt downtown

[calgarydiner00]

Catch does there's in a chili butter, the lobster flavor disappears. The price was over fifty dollars last time I tried to make a reservation.

[nonlinear]

catch prepares lobster several in different ways, and the menu changes frequently. I've never had (or seen) the chili butter preparation described by the poster above.

expect to pay between $30 and $50 for an entree - a bit more than red lobster, but definitely worth it.

[calgarydiner00]

It was a while back. Red Lobster should not even be mentioned in the same write up as Catch. Fishermen are selling lobster for $3.25 a pound off the wharfs in Yarmouth and fuel charges are dropping, it would be great if this "market price" for fresh seafood would be reflected in restaurants here in Calgary.

[nonlinear]

i agree, but the original poster mentioned that she was considering Red Lobster... I haven't been since I was a kid with my parents in the early '80s. Just wanted to point out that she could get a MUCH better dinner for just a bit more money at an indie seafood restaurant like Catch.

[Office Broccoli]

I just got back from Nova Scotia and had bought lobster for $5/lb off the back of a fisherman's truck. How much is live lobster going for these days in Calgary and is it any good? Has anyone tried ordering lobster online? Any recommendations?

[tintallie]

Lobster was $9.88/lb at the NE (Sunridge) Superstore and $9.99/lb at T&T at Pacific Place just before Christmas time.

Before considering throwing your lobster in a pot of boiling water, you might want to drain the lobster by sticking a chopstick up the lobster to remove the waste...

[aquifolium]

Another vote for doing it at home, and maybe for seeing if you can get lobster delivered fresh from one of those places on the Atlantic (just google). I'm from the East, and lobster in Alberta is usually kind of pitiful. Billingsgate might be the best. At any rate, pick the feistiest-looking lobsters in the tank -- they should be waving their antennae around and climbing on each other, not lying there looking half-dead.

[howlin]

mmmm lobster ,can i come.lol cooking one at home would be the best,nothing like home cooking.get her to drop the critter in the water for a truely hands on exp.remember they are not screams ,its steam ,but it tastes so much better done like that,all you need is butter.

[RodVito]

Boil Water in pot.
Place live lobster in another pot, off the heat.
Cover lobster with boiling water, cover pot, and keep off the heat for 2-4 minutes, depending on size.
Remove meat, and poach in butter for a few minutes more.

This is perhaps not as fun as boiling and plating, and having all the fun of cracking the lobster apart at the table...but it is the most amazing flavour of lobster you will ever try.....in my humble opinoin.

[cdn]

Everything at Red Lobster comes prepackaged and is "cooked" in a mocrowave, YUCK!
I'd second the Keg, but the seasonal special might still be crab?
But it would be WAY cooler to boil them at home, with corn and potatoes....dump it all out on the days newspaper and have a blast licking the butter off your fingers. And you could always have pizza as back up just incase.
Head out for cake to somewhere super special, like Nectar. Or bring home really special cupcakes from one of the "it" places in town.

[ybnormal]

Depends on your daughter as well. I introduced my 7-year-old daughter to a Chinese cuisine lobster prepared with a cream sauce over noodles, and she absolutely loved it (much to my wallet's chagrin).

She loves Alfredo sauces, hence this approach...

[peter.v]

What about picking up some live ones at Boyd's or Billingsgate and cooking them at home? It may be her birthday, but it would be great fun to boil some yourself, put a plastic tablecloth on the table and bring out the crackers to work your way through the shells. Buy the smaller canner lobsters and avoid the market size ones. Accompanied with melted butter/mayo/potato salad and maybe a nice pinot gris and you've got a great birthday dinner.

(I know I would have loved that when I turned 13...)

[sweeterpea]

I second that, I always enjoy lobster the most when done at home. Then you can ensure that it's cooked properly. You could maybe do a fun and casual seafood thing add some clams for who wants them plus corn on the cob. Lay down tons of newspaper on the table. A little tip from Martha that works : When the lobsters are finished, cut just a smidgen off the tip of each claw. This will drain the lobster better a leave less of a watery mess on your plate.

[RodVito]

For what you pay at Red Loster, please look somewhere else. Red Lobster consistently overcooks the lobster, turning it into elastic band like texture and taste. For something in the same price range, I suggest trying out the Keg. I think its still Lobster Summer there.