Whether he has curried it up and characterized it as “L’Indienne” or dressed chunks of it served in an artichoke, Avery Watson, chef and co-owner of Palm Beach’s 264 The Grill, has served Maine lobster in a number of ways.
He’s not alone, of course. Other chefs on the island have been serving up everything from Maine lobster tacos to Maine lobster jambalaya.
That’s especially the case now as Maine lobster specials begin to crop up because, after all, the cold-water crustacean is, for many of us, a symbol of summer (namely when it’s steamed or broiled and served with drawn butter).
And whether or not you appreciate designated national foodie days, June 15 is National Lobster Day, with Florida’s spiny lobster absent since harvesting season doesn’t begin until July 24 with the recreational mini-season, followed by the eight-month commercial season.
So on to a taste of what’s doing with Maine lobster at some of Palm Beach’s eateries…
264 The Grill now offers a special Maine lobster “Explosion” menu featuring five items—each served with a choice of sides—for $24.95: steamed or broiled Maine lobster, lobster seafood pie, lobster zuppa de pesce, lobster-and-pasta alfredo, and a lobster roll.
Trevini recently kicked off a Maine lobster special available on Tuesday nights: a 1 ¼-pound Maine lobster, with pasta, served
fra diavolo-style for $21.95.
Nick & Johnnie’s has long highlighted Maine lobster—from a lobster omelet at breakfast (it’s served with crabmeat, crème fraiche and caviar) to a Maine lobster roll (a top-selling lunch item) and Maine lobster jambalaya with andouille sausage, peppers, celery and Cajun spices.
Among dishes now featured at The Ritz-Carlton: butter-poached Maine lobster risotto—with green papaya, heirloom tomato, lemon confit and crispy capers—at the resort’s Temple Orange.
The Four Seasons’ Graze will highlight Maine lobster specials—from Maine lobster with eggs, braised bacon and yogurt-chive sauce (breakfast) to Maine lobster fritto misto with baby summer vegetables, arugula and salsa verde (lunch and dinner)—on National Lobster Day.
