Lobstah Dinnah

About the last place you'd expect to find a sumptuous lobster dinner is a little out-of-the-way strip mall in Redwood City, CA.; one of the few things the East Coast does better than California is growing lobsters. Luckily, I am able upon occasion to subdue my guilt feelings at eating something so not local as lobster on the San Francisco peninsula.

Feeling frisky, My Beloved and I each ordered the Naked (gasp!) Lobster Roll, which comes with nearly an entire lobster's worth of meat (oh, my!) on a fresh bun that has been crisped on the grill before they add the large chunks of lobster. It was served with a side of cole slaw that had chopped raisins in it (interesting!) and a little container each of mayo (boo!) and clarified butter (yay!). "Naked" in this case means not dressed at all - you just pour as much butter as you like over the hefty chunks of lobster, open wide and try in vain to fit a bite of this huge sandwich into your mouth. Chew thoughtfully, as the taste of fresh Maine lobster tickles your taste buds and closes your eyelids in sheer, luxurious delight.

There was no room for dessert, almost a first for MB and me. The $20 price tag for this sandwich was eye-opening only until the first bite, when I found myself nodding and saying, "Oh, yeah, oh, yeah, worth every penny for a wonderful lobstah dinnah!"

*By the way, today is the anniversary of Julia Child's birthday so raise a glass in her honor wherever you are! And, enjoy this interplay between her and Jacques Pepin as they make a Pain Bagnat!