City Lobster and Steak

My hubs and I had a super early dinner yesterday (5pm, senior citizen's style) - we checked out City Lobster and Steak.  The reviews for the restaurant are mediocre, but I wanted to try it anyways.  The restaurant week menu looked mouth-watering, so despite some of the negative reviews, they had me sold.  Goes to show that putting time in to create a menu that really sounds amazing will entice customers (or maybe just me…). 

Check it out:

Come on, that sounds pretty good, right?

I have to preface my review by saying that I am by no means a food expert (unless eating lots of food gives me that credibility). One thing is for sure - I know what I like and I know what tastes good! 
 
Appetizers: Not amazing, but a decent start to the meal.

Baked Mid-Atlantic Oysters and Crab Rockefeller:  These weren’t your typical Oysters Rockefeller with the crispy breadcrumb topping (which I do admit, I was hoping for).  The topping was more of a creamy sauce which was a little too heavy – I couldn’t taste much of the oyster or crab.  The dish was also a bit on the salty side.

Crispy “Point Judith” Calamari, Ginger, Basil, with a Thai Chili-Lime Aioli:  Up to my crispy standard.  The aioli had a slight kick to it and the lime flavor was a nice fresh touch, but besides that, nothing to write home to mom about.

Entrees: I liked wearing my bib and using a tiny fork.

Down East 1¼ lb. Lobster Bake, Long Island Littleneck Clams, P.E.I. Mussels, Corn on the Cob & Boiled Red Bliss Potatoes:  Eating lobster is a tough job, but it’s a job I will gladly tackle.  I strapped on my bib and prepared for the task ahead of me. The claw meat that I managed to dig up was quite tasty, but the lobster tail was on the chewy side.
 

Sea Diver Scallops and Lobster Claw, Wild Mushroom & Butternut Risotto: The scallops weren't seared enough to get that crispy coating and were slightly overcooked.  The risotto needed a bit more stock to get it to the right creaminess. 

Desserts:  Let’s be honest – I love dessert.  Desserts can do no wrong in my book. 

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie, Vanilla Ice Cream: So delicious - pecan pie is already so good on its own, but to combine it with chocolate?  Happy happy joy joy!

A Genuine “Creme Brulee” Cheesecake, Wild Berry Compote:  Why didn’t I think of this?  They managed to combine two great desserts to give birth to the Creme Brulee Cheesecake.  Imagine the crispy hard shell of the creme brulee on top of a cheesecake…how could anyone resist?

Service: Our waitress was nice enough and the servers were fine; however, just a couple things of note.  It took a while for anyone to come over and refill our water, and it also took our waitress quite a while to bring over our check after we had asked for it.

Ambience: The restaurant was primarily a wooden interior and the entrance was studded with lobster tanks.  The music wasn't too loud so you could easily hold a conversation.

Score: 3 out of 5 piggies. Overall, was it a homerun for City Lobster & Steak?  No.  However, $35 for a three-course meal that includes a whole lobster and a pretty darn good dessert?  You can’t find that anywhere in Manhattan, I’ll take it.

City Lobster & Steak

121 West 49^th Street (between 6^th and 7^th)

New York, NY 10020

(212) 354-1717

http://www.citylobster.com/