Jordan Lobster Farms

Jordan Lobster Farms is one of the premier seafood restaurants in Nassau County offering the highest quality seafood with the best customer service. Dine by the waterfront, on the outdoor patio, or in the newly expanded indoor dining room - which is open all year round. Visit the lobster market inside and choose from a large selection of fresh seafood, prepared gourmet dishes, and gift items.

Lobster Shanty

Lobster Shanty is conveniently located on Rt 54 just west of the hustle and bustle of Ocean City’s and Fenwick Island’s Coastal Highway. Owned by David and Janet Twining, the restaurant opened in July 2010, to an instant success. The Lobster Shanty secret of success is a pleasing decor, attentive staff, and an interesting menu with quality ingredients.

The Clam Bar at Napeague

The Clam Bar is an outdoor casual restaurant with the freshest seafood you'll find on the East End. Sit under an umbrella and soak in the atmosphere, listen to golden oldies, enjoy a bowl of clam chowder or dig into a fresh local lobster. There is no better place to eat fresh local steamers or fresh local clams, while letting the sand dry on your feet. Situated on the side of the Napeague stretch in Montauk, daily specials are available with a great selection of fresh fish.

Danny's Drive-In

Danny's Drive-In in Stratford, CT has been serving fresh fast food for nearly 80 years. In an effort to go green, they have modified their menu in the direction of more conscious eating with burger meat that is now "humanely raised and handled." Keith and I stopped for lunch here on our way up to Mystic, CT.

Red Hook Lobster Pound

Last date I was here: 07/15/2011

Restaurant: Red Hook Lobster Pound (http://redhooklobsterdc.com/)

Location: Traveling Food Truck

Total Rating: 3.75
Food: 4, Price: 3, Service: 4, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

Summary: Red Hook Lobster Pound serves Maine and Connecticut style lobster rolls and New England Clam chowder from it's famous "Lobster Truck". Look for the mobile truck at lunchtime - it is sure to have a long line around the block - or follow them on Twitter.

Truckeroo 2 is still going on right now in the Bullpen across from the Navy Yard Metro Station and National's Park. Among the 20 or so food trucks that showed up, the Lobster truck is one of the most well known. Surprisingly, the line was super short so we decided to order a roll and finally sample what all the buzz has been about. At $15 each, I was expecting quality chunks of lobster and boy, did they deliver. The meat was plentiful and the bread was perfectly toasted and buttered. Not sure if it was the heat of the day, or just the condition of the truck environment, but the lobster was a tad chewy. Regardless, it was a decent roll and I might like to try some of the other items on the menu next time.

What I ate:

Lobster Roll

Connecticut style (butter-drizzled)

Luke's Lobster

Last date I was here: 06/29/2011

Restaurant: Luke's Lobster (http://www.lukeslobster.com/dc/)

Location: Penn Quarter/Archives-Naval Memorial

Total Rating: 4
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 4

Summary: This Manhattan restaurant "shack" is newly opened in the Penn Quarter/Archives-Naval Memorial section of downtown DC. Offering classic Maine style seafood rolls and chowder or bisque, Luke's Lobster is the brain child of Luke Holden and his father, natives of Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Their roll is simple -- a toasted, buttered, split-top bun with a swipe of mayo, topped with 4 ounces of pure lobster/crab/shrimp (not a salad) and secret spices. According to their website, "the lobster meat is sealed in these air-tight bags to lock in that fresh-from-the-ocean taste and to prevent contamination. Throughout the 315-mile trek from Maine to Manhattan, the lobster meat remains in pristine condition, having last touched Maine air. The result is a deliciously fresh lobster roll that allows you to truly taste Maine at its best. Luke just wouldn’t have it any other way." Closest Metro is Archives-Naval Memorial.

Having been open in DC for about 3 weeks now, there has been quite a buzz and so I was delighted to try Luke's Lobster for lunch on this gorgeous summer day. We arrived at about a quarter til noon and it was still fairly empty inside. Quickly glancing at the large chalk board menu on the wall, I stepped up to the "shack" hole and placed my order. The cashier stamped a card, handed it to me, and explained that 10 stamps earns you a free lobster roll. Miss Vickies chips and Maine Root soda are the main side offerings, however a few dessert options such as red velvet whoopie pie and blueberry pie were also available. Seating in the DC location is very limited, and it would benefit them to increase the outdoor seating area as well, although I know this can be tricky along the busy and narrow sidewalks of DC. Nonetheless, a line soon formed as more office workers piled in for the lunch hour - most getting their orders to go. However, the number system seems to work well here and orders were called out of the window fairly quick. I shared the Taste of Maine sampler with a colleague and it was plenty for me. The meat was plentiful, with whole chunks of fresh meat. The taste was super fresh, light and perfectly brined. Even the rolls were toasted just right. The crab roll was more shredded meat, but very tasty. The shrimp roll had whole pieces of shrimp, but was a little plain. The star was the lobster roll. I have had other lobster rolls before and these are unique in that they truly are solid pieces of meat with minimal seasoning and butter - not a filler mixture or tuna salad mixture with heavy mayo. You really get value for the price at Luke's Lobster. This place is perfect for summer and I can't wait to go back!

What I ate:

♥Taste of Maine♥

half lobster roll, half crab roll, half shrimp roll, Empress crab claws, chips and a soda

The Palm Court

Last date I was here: 4/2/2011

Restaurant: The Palm Court (http://www.theplaza.com/dining/palmcourt//)

Location: NYC - 5th Ave at Central Park South

Total Rating: 4.55
Food: 5, Price: 3, Service: 5, Ambience: 5, Accessibility: 4

Summary: A famous tradition at The Plaza, the Afternoon Tea service blends an innovative menu with a formal tea to provide guests a balance of service and flavorful cuisine. The tea menu is under the artful guidance of Executive Chef, Willis Loughhead and Pastry Chef, Jasmina Bojic who have infused Afternoon Tea – a timeless classic, with a contemporary flair. A seamless fusion of traditional and modern and a passion for uncompromising service combine to create an experience that is indulgent, exquisite and truly unforgettable.

My wonderful aunts and grandmother hosted a beautiful bridal shower tea luncheon for me here and it was absolutely amazing! We were seated in the back of the restaurant with two long tables. The decor was elegant and simple. Tiers of sandwiches, scones, and dessert were shared between two people, while each person had their own tea pot. The food and tea was delicious! The champagne was high end and very dry and bubbly. Everyone had a wonderful time. I highly recommend the Afternoon tea for those special occasions such as birthdays, baby showers, or bridal showers.

What I ate:

Truffled Quail Egg Salad

Maine Lobster with Sturgeon Caviar

Cucumber Sandwich with Radish and Basil

Smoked Salmon with Endive

Scone with devonshire cream, lemon curd, and preserves

Macaron, hazlenut napolean, pate de fruit, lemon tea cake

Ardeo + Bardeo

Last date I was here: 2/12/2011

Restaurant: Ardeo + Bardeo (http://www.cardeobardeo.com)

Location: Cleveland Park

Total Rating: 3.85
Food: 4, Price: 3, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5

Summary: This modern American bistro and wine bar received a face lift in November 2010 and combined the two separate spaces into one for the relaunch from the team that brings you other DC highlights such as 701 and Rasika. Executive Chef Nate Garyantes has crafted a menu which features cured meats, soups and salads, savory snacks, seasonal vegetables dishes and brick oven baked flatbreads. Closest Metro is Cleveland Park.

We went to Ardeo + Bardeo for our Valentine's dinner. It is a very easy walk from the metro and as soon as we arrived, the loud buzz from the packed dimly lit restaurant greeted us. We were escorted upstairs on the "Bardeo" side of the house and seated in a small two top. The wine selection is quite generous and the specialty cocktails looked tasty as well. The menu has a selection of meats and cheeses to pizzas, pastas and main entrees. The small bites are indeed small and might be best to order at least two for sharing. Overall, the food was flavorful and the portions were on the smaller side. We had enough room to share a dessert at the end. I would recommend this place for groups to sit at the bar or communal table or for the casual date night.

What I ate:

Scallop Schnitzel

with bay scallops, young red cabbage, walnuts

Lobster and whole wheat spaghetti

with royal trumpets and squash

Heirloom apple cobbler
rum raisin ice cream

Plus Keith ate:

Seven hour braised leg of suckling pig
served with cheddar grits, blackeyed peas, redeye gravy, peanuts

Ici Urban Bistro

Last date I was here: 12/31/2010

Restaurant: Ici Urban Bistro (http://www.iciurbanbistro.com/)

Location: McPherson Square
Total Rating: 4.15
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 5, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5

Summary: Located in the Sofitel Hotel at Lafayette Square, Ici Urban Bistro showcases a modern approach to classic French cuisine. Closest Metro is McPherson Square.

Keith and I chose Ici Urban to celebrate New Year's Eve. With the 6 course offering including a glass of champagne for $99 and the attaching Le Bar for an after party to watch the ball drop, we thought it was a good deal. We had the later seating, but I was surprised to see the restaurant not as full as expected. Also, I felt the festive decor to be a bit lacking for the celebration. They could have added some balloons, or something to spruce up the typical hotel restaurant feel. Regardless, our service was excellent with everyone speaking a few key French phrases here and there. We were immediately greeted with our glass of champagne and a lovely varietal bread basket. The first course was an amuse bouche of an oyster on the half shell. Second was the appetizer course, and I really enjoyed my scallops. Very fresh and cooked just right. Third was a palate cleanser of blood orange and Grand Marnier granita. Fourth was our main entree and although the portion size was good, I felt my risotto was a touch bland despite the shavings of black truffle mixed in. Keith tasted it and thought it was very good, which was seconded by the couple next to us who also ordered a side portion of the risotto. Perhaps my palate was too clean - ha ha. Fifth was a cheese sampling of some very strong French cheeses with grapes and walnuts. Sixth was the dessert, again a large portion, but I enjoyed it very much. Overall, my meal was very satisfying and having the extended courses was perfect to pass the time until it was closer to midnight. Afterwards, we walked over the the attached Le Bar, where there was more of a crowd, with 30 minutes to go until the countdown. We sat on a cushioned bench near the window and waited for the count down. It was a nice subdued way to end the evening and ring in the new year!

What I ate:

Pan Seared Scallops

Grilled pineapple, Chioggia baby beets confit

Black Truffle Risotto

Parmesan and arugula

Dark Chocolate Gourmandize

Roasted pecan crust, spiced cream

Plus Keith ate:

Roasted Quail and Foie gras Terrine

Shallot chutney, fresh tarragon

Butter Poached Maine Lobster

Chestnut purée, glazed turnips, Razor clams

Vanilla and Black Current Vacherin

Crispy meringue

Sou'Wester

Last date I was here: 05/14/2010

Restaurant: Sou'Wester (http://www.mandarinoriental.com/washington/dining/souwester/)

Location: Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Total Rating: 4.75
Food: 5, Price: 4, Service: 5, Ambience: 5, Accessibility: 4

Summary: Located in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Sou'Wester offers all day dining with regional American cuisine in a bustling space boasting waterfront views and al fresco dining. Sou’Wester, meaning strong winds hailing from the southwest, captures the essence of the restaurant. Natural light streams in from tall windows and an earthy color palette creates a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. Tables are cherry wood finish and set with woven place mats. The chinaware is warmly colored, evoking a farmhouse feel. The menu reads with a Southern lilt and features traditional as well as interpretive takes on American classics such as Skillet Fried Chicken with Coleslaw, Chicken and Dumplings and Sautéed Red Snapper with Old Bay Chowder. Pastry Chef Amanda Cook's menu features Banana Cream Pie, Carrot Cake and Brownie Sundae among other popular selections. An affordable wine selection and All American craft beer list is offered, as well as an original cocktail menu based around fruit, herb and spice infusions. Closest Metro is Smithsonian.

Tonight we wanted to celebrate a special night out (one year until the big day!) and although the forecast called for thunderstorms, we made the trek out for dinner. After changing our minds on the original place we wanted to go to, we decided on Sou'Wester - and I am glad we did. We were seated right away in the roomy dining space with a wonderful view of ....the 395 freeway. Ha - the other side of the restaurant had the great views of the tidal basin and Jefferson Memorial. It was still nice to have the floor to ceiling windows and we were early enough that it was not crowded. Our server was very attentive and suggested some tasty items. After ordering our drink selections, we were greeted by some lovely fresh country bread and biscuits with honey butter. Our appetizer was alright, but the real star was my entree and the dessert. The only reason I did not give a 5 for accessibility is the fact that although walkable from two different Metro stops, the hotel is located in a business district - so there is not much else around in terms of bars or restaurants and with the pouring rain, we had to take a taxi back home. All in all, it was a very pleasant evening. I would recommend this place to diners wanting a more cozy night to enjoy the views.

What I ate:

Seafood Fry
shrimp, mussels, crab cakes, and lemon slices lightly battered and deep fried

served with green goddess sauce

♥Grilled Maine Lobster♥
grilled lobster tail and claws served with Yukon gold potatoes and grilled scallions

Strawberry Shortcake
sliced scone stuffed with vanilla creme fresche and served with marinated strawberries

Plus Keith ate:

Sou'Wester Skillet Fried Chicken
a leg, thigh and breast piece served with coleslaw

Twice Baked Potato

with pork meat

Pacific Beach AleHouse

Last date I was here: 03/14/2010

Restaurant: Pacific Beach AleHouse (http://www.bananacafedc.com/home.htm)

Location: San Diego, CA - Pacific Beach

Total Rating: 3.8
Food: 4, Price: 3, Service: 3, Ambience: 5, Accessibility: 4
Summary: With handcrafted beer, eclectic menu, friendly service, and a lodge-like ambiance, Pacific Beach AleHouse is anything but ordinary. Dining Out Magazine calls it “a world class micro brewery and restaurant,” and “a destination for beer aficionados, tourists, and locals.” The diverse menu includes savory handcrafted burgers, pizzas, BBQ Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa, Lobster Mac & Cheese, and Blackened Chicken Pasta. They brew eight signature beers on location. Featuring three separate dining areas, each with its own unique atmosphere - You can sip a cool refreshing beer on the outdoor deck while enjoying unparalleled views of Crystal Pier and the Pacific Ocean, or you can cozy up to the fire pit on the patio. Inside you can relax with your friends on a comfortable couch or a large booth adjacent to the microbrewery. No matter where you choose to dine, you can catch the game on one of the 18 high-def flat-screen, or catch up on e-mail using the free WiFi.

PB AleHouse was my first stop during my two week work trip to San Diego. I met up with a friend who lives in Pacific Beach and we rode bikes to this spot for a nice bite to eat on the rooftop deck. The weather was gorgeous and the view of ocean gave the ambiance rating top score. Our server was friendly and did her best despite the crowd. The salad was great and a large size, whereas the the mac n' cheese portion was a little small. All in all, I enjoyed myself at PB AleHouse.

What I ate:

AleHouse Salad
spring mix, feta cheese, dried cranberries, candied walnuts, carrots,

red onions, with raspberry vinaigrette
Lobster Mac N' Cheese
with sharp white cheddar and parmesan cheese

Siroc

Last date I was here: 11/28/2009

Restaurant: Siroc (http://www.sirocrestaurant.com/)

Location: McPherson Square

Total Rating: 4.05
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 5, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

Summary: Serving a unique blend of modern and Italian cuisine, Siroc is a fairly new restaurant in the DC area with superior and friendly service; delicious food; an excellent, well-chosen wine list; and overall one of the best dining values for fine food. Closest Metro is McPherson Square.

We went to this restaurant to celebrate my Aunt's birthday, and it was a hit overall. The service was very attentive and the food was fresh and bursting with flavors. After our orders were taken, we were each served an amuse bouche of gorgonzola stuffed raviolinis in a pistachio cream sauce - yum! The fresh bread and olive oil was also flavorful. The restaurant itself is fairly small, and as the evening progessed, filled up quickly with patrons. The menu is more modern Italian, so do not expect any marinara sauces or tiramisu desserts. Instead, others in my party enjoyed the tagliatelle with scallops and trio of homemade sausages (although would have preferred a small side of pasta to go with it). Overall, we had a lovely meal and I would recommend this place for small groups and romatic dates.

What I ate:

Arrugola Salad

with Gorgonzola, Roasted Golden Beets and Toasted Pine Nuts

with Lemon and Black Pepper Vinaigrette

Cappelacci

filled with Lobster and Roasted Corn with a Sweet Pepper Buerre Blanc and Baby Cilantro

Warm Almond Cake

with Blueberry topping and a Cinnamon Zabaglione Sauce

Plus Keith ate:

Beef Rolls

filled with Portobello Mushroom and Caramelized Red Onion

served on Soft Polenta and a Gorgonzola Sauce

Eggplant Lasagna

with Braised Lamb Shank, Oregano, Pecorino Romano Cheese and a Roasted Red Pepper Sauce