Live Lobster Sale ~ $7 / lb on now at T&T

[BokChoi]

In case any of you @home-chefs are looking for a good deal on lobster, T&T is currently offering a 4 day weekend sale. Lobsters between 1lb and 1.5 lbs are $7/lb.

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-snowpea/2891325766/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-snowpea/2890489529/
Lobster tail meat photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-...

Exceptional quality - fresh and sweet.

Cheers and Happy Eating!

[jayt90]

Today T&T (Milliken) did not offer the advertised special, 'local lobster' at $5.99/lb.

I picked up a couple of lively ones at $6.99, but I was disappointed that they did not honour their on-line ad. sent to me.

[tjr]

The Mississauga location had small cull lobster for $5.99/lb (a whole tank full, most of them quite lively, but very small) when I went on Friday. Didn't buy any, so I can't attest to their quality. I did pick up some scallops, which were excellent. I'm not sure when their flyers start/end?

[jayt90]

Here is the flyer http://marquimail.marqui.com/marqui/V...
It's obvious I missed the "cull" designation, and the regular ones were offered at $6.99, coming to $9 each. Still well worth it. Mine was hard shelled, with sweet meat.

T&T also has frozen Brome Lake ducks, at $10-12 each. These are really good, tender and succulent, although they look scrawny. The Brome Lake operation does not get involved with force fed duck liver, a bonus for me.

[pinstripeprincess]

have you found the whole ducks to be better quality than the breast pieces? i know they're probably the same ducks and all... but after bringing back a few frozen ones from jean talon.... brome lac just doesn't seem to have enough fat at all! they're also much less flavourful and not as tender. curious where i can find something of equal quality at about the same prices.

[jayt90]

Duck is perplexing to me. Often tough, difficult to cook, even if there is a good fatty layer. It can be tough in restaurants, too, even in Montreal. I was surprised by this frozen Brome Lake duckling, without a fatty layer. I just followed the directions on the shrink wrap, and undercooked a bit. It came out tender and juicy, both breast and legs, so I will definitely try another one. They are in the frozen section near fresh trays of pork and chicken, at T&T Milliken.

[pinstripeprincess]

very very interesting... i'm tempted to try one and it doesn't look like it's too much of an expense. i hope the cherry st location has a few, thanks!

[grandgourmand]

I actually cooked up one of the frozen breasts last night for a salad. yes, the fat layer is thin. But I was pleasantly surprised to find the meat very tender. there was a sinewy bit just under the fat layer, but if you cut under it, the meat itself was very nice. I'm definitely buying more.

[tarteaucitron]

Thanks for the tip, and it's a nice thing they are available over here in Toronto. If the Brome Lake ducks are the same as the ones produced in QC, then they must be really good!

[tjr]

I was a bit skeptical at first, but I actually like the Brome Lac frozen ducks and pieces. They may not have much fat, but the breasts especially have been very good. Very tender and juicy, though as grandgourmand notes below, at the very top of the breast under the fat layer, there is a bit of chew. Legs were also good braised and confit. This is one product that I find myself buying fairly often!

[grandgourmand]

Oh yeah, the duck legs have been good too. I haven't tried to make confit, but braised, they definitely do well.

I'm hoping the duck breasts are consistently tender and juicy, because after my first try, they'll become regulars at home. My wife who doesn't normally like duck, really liked the breasts this time. IN fact, I overcooked them (pink inside, not rare) and they were still very tender.

[tjr]

We've had them plenty of times, and they are pretty consistent in quality.

[pinstripeprincess]

everytime i see the scallops i'm tempted to get them but they often taste of being wet packed which is rather off putting and trying to get a good answer out of the fishmongers isn't all that easy. do you know if the ones you had were dry packed? or were they fresh shelled?

[jayt90]

I have had indifferent large wet scallops from T&T, but the frozen Japanese trays seem to be good, if smaller. I find the large dry pack frozen scallops from Boston, at Costco, to be a reliable source.

[tjr]

Normally we go for the frozen ones on the shell with coral and everything attached, but I didn't have time to thaw or anything, so I bought the ones at the counter. They were very fresh, much better than I'd be used to purchasing from a seafood counter, no offputting STP-related flavour. I noted it above mainly because it came as such a surprise to me!

[grandgourmand]

I usually buy the thawed scallops at T&T's counter. I like the price and size, but I find them to be a bit lacking in flavour. Are the frozen ones with coral etc. sweet? I haven't had really memorable scallops at home in a long time.

[tjr]

They have better flavour, usually not bland, but still not the same as a fresh scallop (I'm assuming this is your basis for comparison?)

[grandgourmand]

No I meant to compare the thawed ones at the counter (they're previously frozen) versus the frozen ones you said you buy with the corral, etc.

[tjr]

Sorry. Yes, usually better than the ones at the counter, though the ones at the counter this time around were quite good (a rare occurance)!

[foodyDudey]

grandgourmand, have you tried the fresh dry scallops from Bill's Lobster? I found that they are much better than the fresh ones I bought at T&T a few months ago. You should give them a try.

[grandgourmand]

I'll give Bill's scallops a try. Most everything I buy there is pretty good. Usually pick up some oysters. My only complaint about those is that they seem only to carry malpeques. Wish they had a bit more variety. Otherwise, good quality.

On a side note, the lobster I picked up at T&T a week ago was really nice and sweet. they're a bit inconsistent, but this time, a winner.

[BokChoi]

Bill's scallops are excellent and very sweet (and very expensive). But it is worth it. I bought two scallops last winter or so and found they to be of exceptional quality. Too bad it is so out of the way for me. I was tempted to try T&T's version, because of the price, but due to the poor reviews I've read, I've resisted.
Bill cleans the scallops for you (though you do lose the juices as a result).

Bill's Scallops: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-...
They were about $17.

Cheers!

[tjr]

The ones at Bill's are excellent, well-worth the price.

[BokChoi]

They are worth the price. Oh how I wish they were more affordable for a more regular treat. That's just me being unrealistic though.

[foodyDudey]

a few years ago, I bought about a dozen of those fresh scallops from Bill's for New Year's Eve party. They were a big hit. I noticed you mentioned in your flickr comment that Bill's is in "old Chinatown". I think the old Chinatown is closer to the city hall.

[BokChoi]

You must be correct. I must have remembered incorrectly.

I should head down again and pick up some soon. It has been too long.

[foodyDudey]

You should call first, they don't usually have the fresh live scallops.

[BokChoi]

Thanks for the tip foodyDudey.

[rjp123]

http://www.lobstergeorge.com/ is still my favorite place to get lobster. It is always fresh and always good quality.

Gotta love the Lobster! :)

[Westwardho]

Was at TNT yesterday. They are $6.99 a pound again! (Down from $8.99) Forget the turkey!

[FoodieWoodie]

Metro, Zehrs, A&P, Foodland and Sobey's have lobster on sale for $7.99 per lb until Christmas.

[jamesm]

The large Asian grocers on Spadina -- the one that is sub-street level -- has nice looking lobsters for 7.99 lb. It didn't appear to be a sale so I assume that's the general going rate.

[AzulH]

My comment above re "Asian grocers on Spadina" still holds, I checked yesterday

[eatereater123]

You can get cooked lobsters at some Metro locations. Ask the counter person to check their fridges, that's where I found the larger size lobsters. Same price for cooked or fresh. I picked up a 1 1/4 lb sweet meat, firm and delicious one on Saturday. (dec 21)

[Charles Yu]

Some Chinese Supermarket in Scarborough are selling the giant ones for $4.98/lb!!

[tjr]

Which one?

[Charles Yu]

Don't know their 'English' names?! But the one at Sheppard/Brimley and the new one ( old location, new owner at least ) at Steeles/Warden to name a couple. Not sure whether sale is over this weekend?!

[tjr]

The Chinese names would be fine :-) I'm not familiar with the stores in question, but I'll head over and check tomorrow maybe. That's an incredible price (hopefully it's still on)!

[AzulH]

In Chinatown on Spadina lobsters were being sold for 5.99 a pound for small ones 6.99 for larger ones yesterday.

[jayt90]

The $5.99 lobster sale was on again today. Delicious steamed over rice.

[jayt90]

Thanks to T&T I had a lobster dinner under $10.

[tjr]

Looks like it's time for more lobster mac n' cheese!

[BokChoi]

I eyed these guys today too when I stopped by T&T. The Middlefield location had live, feisty ones, but they were a bit on the small side. Didn't end up picking them up. Are they sweet this time around? They seemed quite lively.

[jayt90]

Yes, a bit small, but easy to find two at 1.25 lb. They were sweet, and I think my quick steaming method helps: Two lobsters can be dropped into a pressure cooker and steamed for five minutes, followed by a fast steam release.

A bamboo steamer would work as well, if there is substantial steam and BTU's under it. It might take 10 minutes.

[Fat Swine]

Will T&T steam them up for you?

[jayt90]

No. But you can get this service from Bill's or Sobeys. My Sobeys on Brock Road has a Hobart steamer behind the fish counter; however, service is over by 7 P.M.

[foodyDudey]

We had lobsters from Bill's Lobster for dinner. I had Bill cut them in half, and I brought them home and broiled them with garlic, butter and olive oil. I always boiled them in the past, I think broiling is much better as it didn't have any water in it.

[Fat Swine]

How much from Bill's ? Metro jacked prices up to 13.99

[foodyDudey]

4 lbs and over: $6.99
smaller sizes: $9.99
I know there are cheaper ones, but these are all alive and kicking

[tjr]

Get a cheap steamer setup, you might enjoy them more than the standard boiled method!

[jayt90]

Sobey's is selling Nova Scotia lobsters for $7.99/lb this week. Small, at 1-1/4 lb but an alternative to T&T. (Less cramped tanks; full customer service, including steaming while you shop.) If true to origin, they will be very fresh, as the N.S. season just started.

[duckdown]

As someone whos family only has lobster in the most rare of circumstances, mainly due to price when eating out, if Sobey's steams them while you shop at such a good price, what is the best way to get them home and eat them?

Do I just bring them straight home and crack them open and eat with butter, or should they be reheated somehow? The steaming of them while you shop would be a real time saver and be a nice convenience factor, just wondering how quickly they should be eaten

Thanks

[jayt90]

I haven't tried this service yet but I think I'll use it Monday night after work, from Sobey's on Brock Road. They steam all shellfish, so it would be useful for a large dinner. I'll try to get a peek at their steamer.

[duckdown]

Great, my closest supermarket here in Brampton is actually a Sobey's, so its only a quick 5 minutes away

Let me know how it works out -- am glad to hear of such a convenient service.

The reason I like my local Fortino's market also is because they will offer to marinate your meat while you shop also, which has been a very nice thing in the past as well

Keep us posted, thanks jayt90 :)

[smr714]

Fortino's will also cook/steam the lobster for you when you shop.

[jayt90]

The sale was over Sunday night, and the tank empty today, so I did not pick up a special lobster. I noted that they have a small Hobart steamer, and I'll be back next time they have a sale. Too bad that they are only weekend oriented.

Does Fortino's marinate in a cryovac bag? This would be useful for sous vide at home.

[tjr]

Just get them a bit underdone and toss them into a steamer or some boiling, salted water to finish them when you get home.

[BokChoi]

Even though the lobsters aren't advertised as on sale anymore, I still managed to pick up two 1.7lb lobsters for $6.99/lb last weekend. I paired that purchase with some wonderful roasted chestnuts for a fantastic chestnut and lobster soup. Very hearty and rich. The chestnuts were of exceptional quality last weekend, hope they are again this weekend, because they are on sale for $1.28/lb. Definitely a great batch. The lobsters were exceptionally lively as well last weekend and HUGE (for the price).

Live Lobsters: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-snowpea/3078260767/
Duo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-...

On sale this week: Dungeness Crab $3.99/lb

[foodyDudey]

Hi BokChoi, can you please post a recipe for the chestnut and lobster soup?
Was it this one? http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/foo...
I bought a 6.2 lb lobster at Bill's Lobster last weekend and made a great lobster fettucine Alfredo. It was also $6.99/lb

[BokChoi]

foodyDudey, that's the recipe. I had to make alterations though because I found the recipe, as is, is extremely thick. Almost like a porridge. You may want to look for a way to dilute it without adding additional salt from broth (I also found the soup a bit salty for my tastes). Perhaps some wine (I used a bit of juice myself that I had in the fridge to sweeten it up and dilute it without adding salt)? The chestnuts are fantastic though last week. Hope you have a great time peeling the chestnuts if you buy them - I know my SO had a fun time...

Great to know Bill's has such monsters at such a great price. I'm surprised. The large ones usually go for much more. I love Bill's - I should head out there again sometime, it's just so out of the way. Their fresh scallops are indeed a treat though (at $17 for two, I find myself looking for a cheaper alternative)

Bill's Scallop: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-...

Cheers!

[Dwayne]

the poor quailty lobster comes from offshore boats . here fishermen would never eat lobsters caught in deep water . the best come from shallow bays . St Mary's bay which is in SW Nova Scotia i think has the worlds best lobsters . my son brought some home other night they was full to the shell and as tasty as they could get . all hard shelled .You want lobsters caught inside to asure high quality . Big companies mix in the offshore stuff to sell it with the high quality stuff .

[Suresh]

http://www.tnt-supermarket.com/data/s...

Got this today.
It's 5.99/LB

mmm...

[Pigurd]

how long can they last in ur fridge? I want to buy one tonight and eat one for breakfast...

[Suresh]

They're live...
Buy a few and stick them in your bathtub for the time being..

They're 5.99 here, meanwhile 2.5lb worth of deepfried spicy lobster from New Sky is still $35+

[tjr]

If your bathtub water isn't salted, don't, or you'll kill them. Put them in the fridge with damp newspaper on top, and they'll last overnight.

[pinstripeprincess]

the sale has been going strong the past couple of months is seems. got a few more last night (the $5.99/lb ones are 1.3lbs whereas the 1.5lbs are in the $7.99/lb area) and they were actually less impressive than the first crop we got. less sweet and tasty.

though after a bath in truffle butter, anything tastes great.

[Pigurd]

I also got some last night to eat for breakfast... i didnt notice last night, but the claw on the left arm is kinda detached.. i saw this with others in the tank as well, but thought this the one i got was whole. It tasted pretty good and sweet, but the meat has shrunken pretty much inside, and the shell was kinda soft (i havent touched a lobster in a while so not sure if i just got stronger).

I'll try a couple more for dinner, maybe be more careful in choosing them ( I just chose the one that tried to hug me)

[pinstripeprincess]

keeping in mind that i believe it is molting season for lobsters and so that is why the shell is soft. this also will mean a lower meat/muscle to shell ratio and so they will seem a bit empty.

[Pigurd]

I went to that day and day resturant charles yu was talking about and ordered a lobster there, the shell was hard and loaded with meat so it seems not all lobster have the soft shell right now... wonder if t&t is just putting the older ones or molted ones in the cheap tank.

I had a pet crayfish before and it looked kind of dirty before shedding, wonder if this can be a similar thing to look for for lobsters? that should be the stage where it is almost over filling with meat...

[tjr]

We haven't bought any lobster from T&T this week, but have the past few weeks. Definitely hard-shelled lobster, not soft-shelled (then again, we picked through the tank and didn't just take anything). There are some scraggly looking ones in the tank, just look around and grab the good ones.

[Charles Yu]

Wow! That was quick!! How was the cooking? Lobster pretty good deal?!

[Pigurd]

Hehe, girlfriend had to work late so we didnt go wandering where we originally planned, so we were near by and I was like sooo someone mentioned this place on chowhound.. mmm I'll post what we had on the day and day resturant in your original thread

[foodyDudey]

We bought 7 lobsters at the Cherry St store last night, they were nowwhere near as good as the ones I bought about 2 weeks ago. They barely even moved in the tank, whereas lasttime they would start flipping their tails when turned upside down.

After cooking them, the largest was tossed out as there was no meat in the claws, just some weird white stuff. The tail also looked odd, like it had shrivelled up inside. The other 6 didn't taste as sweet as the last batch. When I asked the guy behind the counter for some specific lobsters from the big tank which I couldn
't reach, he gave me a bunch of lobsters that looked like they had 2 more minutes to live.. barely even moving. I think I 'll stick with Bill's Lobster in the future, and I won't have to worry about it's quality.

[BokChoi]

Lucked out this time I guess - didn't end up getting the lobster deals. Wonder why such inconsistency...Thanks for the warnings, CHers.

[SocksManly]

I saw lobster at the St. Lawrence market for I think $16.99 a lb.. Yes SIXTEEN.. I can't imagine there could be that much difference? Are all things at the market that obscene? I only needed to buy veal shanks, and really have no clue how much to pay for those.. They were 6.99/lb if I remember right.

I bought 2 lobster last week for $7.99/lb from a chinese grocery store on lawrence/blackcreek, was pretty good, no complaints.

[BokChoi]

SocksManly, I believe you have just become a convert. Enjoy the discovery and the deal you secured.

Not everything at the market is obscene. The quality is oft times better with certain items, but for generic things (basic chicken, beef, etc) I go to Chinese grocers, such as T&T (there are a tonne in my area). I even recently found organic chicken at T&T
Organic Chicken + Prices: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-snowpea/3004567463/

If you think those prices are ridiculous, please do check out these ones (photos) at Oriental Mart in Scarborough (McCowan & McNicoll) - I wouldn't recommend them on quality overall, but some items are decent if you search hard enough. I just found the prices hilarious. Once again, not the greatest quality at this store, but seriously, at these prices - what can you expect?!

Peppers Prices: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-snowpea/3005389394/
Napa Cabbage: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-...

They also had absurdly cheap BBQ Pork and Roast Pork at $2.99/lb and $3.99/lb respectively. I didn't venture to try them, but maybe one day I'll be desperate enough. I really worry about the quality at those prices, but maybe just on a lark!

Cheers!

[iamafoodie]

Similarly low produce prices are available in central Mississauga at Yuan Ming, H & H and T & T. Two mesh bags of shallots for $1 can't be matched by the major grocers either. I have also been buying pork shoulders (butts) without any problems other than the usual lack of marbling unlike BokChoi's beautiful Birkshire pork pix. This summer, bone in butts were $0.69 per lb. Great for Southern BBQ pulled pork.

[BokChoi]

Thanks for the compliment on the photo- the BP tasted amazing as well. I'll definitely get that again. The cut of US Kobe wasn't great though, maybe I'll try a different one next time. Just wanted to sample it.

[Charles Yu]

CBC news just reported that whole sale lobster price this year really tanked ! Fell from $7 per pound to only $4. No wonder its so cheap out there. Time for another O'Mei Lobster 4 ways splurge! Ha!

[tjr]

Due to people not buying as much lobster, apparently, because of the lack of financial stability. It's pretty unfortunate, because the lobster industry on the East coast is not doing too great right now.

On that note, lobster is on sale right now at T&T for $5.99/lb (lobsters 1-1.5lbs). I made lobster mac and cheese and lobster poutine for dinner tonight. Yum.

[ribboy]

T&T?

[tjr]

T&T Supermarket?

[foodyDudey]

I bought 3 of those tonight, they were really good and only $26 for 3 ($5.99 / lb)

[BokChoi]

Great selection on Friday, not so much yesterday when I actually went to buy the lobsters.

Friday's selection: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-snowpea/2970186981/

Dungeness Crabs were also on sale ($5.99/lb) http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-snowpea/2970187021/

Geoducks also looked great: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-...

[jayt90]

I went to Milliken Saturday 1 PM and the selection was not so good, many were listless, and small. Then they restocked with a large box of live ones, and I had no trouble getting a couple of sweet tasting 1.5 lb . ones.
As before I steamed 5-6 minutes in a pressure cooker and they were perfect, although the tail is folded under.
Next time I think I'll sacrifice two of them under the knife, and do Amoricaine.

[Charles Yu]

Lobster is OK, but DO NOT get dungeness crabs from T&T - WAY OVER PRICED!! Almost all Chinese super market in the Richmond Hill, Markam and Scarborough area are selling them in the $4.29/lb range!

[aser]

I've seen it dipped to $3.99 at times.

[grandgourmand]

Just curious...how quickly would the restaurant adjust its "market price" for O'Mei Lobster 4 ways. This is a dish I'm dying to try. I'm wondering, though, if it's anything like the oil companies that don't bring the gas price down when oil is down 50%. If you know what I mean.

[aser]

http://www.thestar.com/News/World/art...

now we know why they're so cheap this season....

[jayt90]

Here is a $6 lobster after 5 minutes in the pressure cooker.

[smr714]

For those of us outside of Toronto, can someone tell me T&T's addresses? I will be traveling into the City later this week and will call them for pricing.

[TorontoJo]

Here's the locations page of their website:

http://www.tnt-supermarket.com/store/...

[jayt90]

If you hit, on the above site, 'specials/Ontario/subscribe' T&T will send you the specials every Thursday.

(I hope Loblaws is monitoring this, because their customer service rep on the 800 number told me this service is not available from them.)

[tjr]

I usually just check the flyers, but I've found most of them are at times difficult to view, for no apparent or foreseeable reason (Shopper's Drug Mart, I'm looking at you).

I've heard of online services that allow you to subscribe to all the flyers you've selected, which are then transcribed and included in a single weekly email. The only ones I've seen have been for the US unfortunately.

T&T often has very good specials though, and often has great live seafood specials (lobsters, crabs, prawns, etc.) It's just a matter of checking each week.

[Danybear]

try Flyerland.ca, not especially fantastic, but a bit better than searching Goog.e.

[minto]

Check out the flyers on this site:

http://www.flyermall.com/web/flyer/st...

[tjr]

Thanks for these.

[smr714]

secondary Loblaw's comment -- My mom gets a weekly email from Fortino's and the Great Canadian Superstore every Thursday telling the specials and linking her to the new flyer.

Thank you for the T&T link and info.

[MarkhamDee]

Jayt90 - Loblaws won't send all the specials within an email, but if you sign up for their eNewsletter, they'll send you an email every Thursday highlighting some of the specials and linking to their flyer online.

[herbs go karts]

Make sure you squeeze them!

when I went they had a batch of soft shell lobsters (just recently molted off their old shells)

When the shell is soft - the meat is really small compared to the shell (the lobster is just starting to grow into its new shell)

Still tastes good - but the meat is so small!

Make sure you get lobster with a good hard shell or understand what you're going to get if they only have soft shells and you still buy some!

[herbs go karts]

no matter what though - it's still a great buy!

[jayt90]

T&T actually discloses the differences, and has different prices for various types. The $6/lb lobsters are hard shell but small, just over 1 lb.

[BokChoi]

Correct - they range from about 1lb to 1.5 lbs for the fabulous price of $6/lb. I was able to secure 4 ones that were closer to the 1.5lb mark during my last two visits. Both were hard-shelled and I have never had a problem with half-empty shells.
Cheers!

[pinstripeprincess]

picked up a couple lobsters while grocery shopping and made it part of an impromptu sushi dinner.

didn't touch them myself so can't vouch for softness of shell, but damn were those claws tiny! squeezing out the cooked meat you could hear the suction of the air filling up the huge gaps. they were pretty good and we sashimi-ed up the tail of one, sweet and tender. would definitely consider doing it again. they were averaging 1.2lbs when we picked out ours.

[BokChoi]

pinstripeprincess - I did not realize you could eat them raw. Is this safe? If it is, then I will definitely do this from now on. I am always scared of things that are not labelled 'sushi quality'. Thoughts? TIA

[pinstripeprincess]

i'm not going to vouch for any safeness but i will say that i have taken raw salmon fillets and now the lobster from t&t and brought it home to eat straight up several times now with no ill consequences and only a happy stomach and mouth.

to be honest though, while i have respect for sushi chefs who monitor the quality of their product... the term "sushi quality" is rather dubious to me. much like trying to get a rare burger in toronto, you still gamble with the quality of meat from your butcher but you have faith that the meat is fresh and uncontaminated. lobsters are almost always wild and bought live, so i do not fear poor handling/steroid practices nor freshness issues. i pay sushi chefs to source me the best quality fish they can find and to use their knife skills to render it into the perfect bite. i am willing to sacrifice some quality when i purchase for home but i highly doubt those "chefs" working at ayce places are any more knowledgeable than me when they buy fish and for some reason i and a lot of people out there aren't scared of them. i guess in short, what is "sushi quality" really? i find it less defined than "organic" and i'm highly suspicious of that.

[Teep]

I am not willing to take the risks. Some parasites will infect you without any symptoms in the short term. As for "sushi quality", it can mean 2 things - the source of the fish, and how it's kept. For example, wild salmon would often harbour parasites, whereas farmed salmon would not. And one time we had geoduck at E Pan (which we have to pre-order so they can bring it in specially for us), they served it with a hot pot for us to quickly cook the meat. When asked why don't they serve it sashimi style, they said they can't guarantee that the tank that it came from (at the supplier's) was clean enough. So yes, lobsters can be had as sashimi, but who knows what kind of water they were living in. It depends on if you are willing to take a gamble.

[tjr]

"Sushi grade" in North America is generally related to freezing temperature guidelines for parasite destruction. I believe this is the only characteristic, though oft cited are things like texture, fat content, and firmness, which I'm sure are not actually part of the criteria here. As such, I don't think you'd be getting "sushi grade" live lobster.

Most chefs working at AYCE places aren't knowledgeable, especially when most of these places are willing to serve tilapia instead of tai, etc.

Most fish sold in Canada is pre-frozen, whether or not it arrives thawed at the supermarket/fishmonger/supplier (the exception, obviously, being live fish). Even in Japan, some catches are flash-frozen on boats if the boat will take a long time returning to Japan. Other fish are flash-frozen and kept deep-frozen when they are unavailable (Morimoto, for example, does this with tuna for periods where he is unable to get it fresh at his American restaurant, and claims there to be no difference in quality).

Even "fresh, wild" fish is likely frozen.

[BokChoi]

Thanks all. That was what I always thought about normal items at a grocery store. I knew that storage was an important factor in maintaining 'sushi quality'. I am hoping that most AYCE places (though I never frequent them) would serve sushi grade fish, and not just store bought items. I will try and call T&T and ask if they are sushi quality (the lobsters). If anyone finds out first, do please post their response here.

TIA

pinstripeprincess, you may want to hold off on eating any more, just in case, unless you can find out for sure if it is okay for raw consumption. Just want you to be safe.

[tjr]

I wouldn't counsel people to eat food raw, and I guess the internet probably won't either: http://www.healthmad.com/Health/Eatin...

The parasite risks from grocery store seafood would be relatively tiny, given the amount of freezing that is done on all of their non-live fish. Where the seafood is live, it's an entirely different story. Effects from parasitic infections are not instant, nor will they likely cause you to feel sick after eating the food. Most people with normal immune systems are able to fight off these infections as well (though those with immune system deficiencies may lack this ability).

I agree with Teep; I'm not willing to take the chances unless it is prepared by someone who knows what they are doing (ie: not me). I've had plenty of things raw before, but I wouldn't, for instance, order chicken sashimi from pretty much anywhere in North America. My health is worth a lot more to me than $6 worth of lobster sashimi.

[aser]

so I bought a 1.3lb a few hrs again, cut it up and stir fried it w/ garlic, ginger, scallions, thai peppers, fish sauce, shaoxing wine. Not a lot of meat on them but they were quite tasty. The tomalley was excellent.

It seems like quite a few of you are boilng/steaming them. I suggest you to put it in the freezer for 15 mins, then stab it in the head first before dropping it into the pot. Quicker death for them that way.

[tjr]

Lobsters die pretty quickly after hitting the boiling water anyways.

[katana750]

Canadian food inspection advised NOT to eat tomalley of lobsters this year.At least that is what I heard on the news a couple of months ago .Although the advisory couldn't be found on the CFIA website. Anybody know anything? I stopped buying . I can't remenber if the comtaminents were of the heavy metal type. If so, problems....Sticking to Dungeness crabs for this year .. To Pinstripeprincess.To eat raw, I like lobsters and shrimps a few hours after they are killed, as the meat firms up and becomes sweeter.

[BokChoi]

katana750

I too heard about that issue. I read an article a while back: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/05/12/tomalley-warning.html?ref=rss and it says that you should be limited to 1-2 tomalley's per day (there is no way I even come close to that limit). I also looked up the paralytic shell fish problem before, because I was worried about the cheap lobster prices as well, and it seems to only apply to molluscs: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/f...

Perhaps I am interpreting the articles incorrectly, so someone can correct me if I am wrong.

[pinstripeprincess]

i've only done the raw lobster once so far so i'll keep your advice in mind the next time (which i imagine to be relatively soon). we may have let ours sat for at least an hour because we steamed the rest and scarfed it down with drawn butter before we moved onto our sushi meal.

and keeping in line with seafood price drops, noticed the loblaws flyer mentioning boxes of beausoleils (24 pcs) for $17. quite impressive pricing as i don't think i've seen the equivalent... well... ever.

[BokChoi]

Lobsters were on sale again this weekend (for $6/LB !!) @ T&T, just in case anyone was in need of a last minute meal idea.

Cheers!

[jayt90]

I picked up a couple for the pc steamer tonight. The sale continues tomorrow.
The lobster I got last week (at the higher price) was definitely a bargain!

[BokChoi]

The lobsters this week are unfortunately not quite as sweet as last week, but they are still fantastic for the price. Hope you enjoy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-snowpea/2916091885/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-...

[jennjen18]

Which T&T do you get it from? ... The Warden or Middlefield one? Would there be a difference? I'm asking 'coz i was just actually at the Middlefield one this morning ... and I found 2 huge ones, and told the guy next to me to get those, 'coz I wasn't really getting them, just kinda seeing that's out there... It was hard shell and everything ..

[jayt90]

Not bokchoi but jay,; I was at Middlefield mid afternoon, and the tank was getting down. They will probably have a full tank tomorrow morning. Each week, they have run about 18 oz or 500g. and tasted sweet. Photo in a lower post here.

[The Chowhound Team]

Folks, how to prepare lobster is off topic for this board and should be discussed on the Home Cooking board. Please keep the discussion limited to where to find lobster. Thanks!

[tjr]

I bought several and served in a few different preparations for some friends, to rave reviews; great lobster, great price.

[BokChoi]

tjr

what preparation methods did you use?

I found that the lobsters this time were absolutely exceptional. I have had T&T's lobsters on sale before, and this time, it just stood head and shoulders above the previous occasions'. They were just so incredibly sweet this time around. I wonder what they are doing differently this time.

[spine64]

Thanks, going to head there tomorrow. What is your fave method of preparing?
Scott