Tag Archives: lobster

THOROUGHLY MODERN MAN: Lobster Kitchen, Tottenham Court Road

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Lobster has undergone something of a rebrand in recent years. Gone are the snooty connotations of words like thermidor and accompaniments like champagne; in their place we now have sliders and craft beer (ok, so thermidor is still on the menu). Lobster Kitchen in Tottenham Court Road has continued this revival with a reimagined New England lobster shack nestled away in the heart of London.

A steaming open kitchen bustles in front of you as you take your seats, either at the bars around the room or on the giant communal table in the centre. The space is decorated in true New England style, with tacking and lobster pots adorning most walls and hung from the ceiling. It’s a lot more tasteful than it sounds, I should add.

A good bisque should be a simple warming staple of any New England eatery, and this lobster offering was no different, if slightly unspectacular. Our selection of lobster rolls was beautiful, the brioche bun the right balance of sweet and crispy and rich while the lobster meat took on the subtle variety of flavours, as one would expect. Asian, garlic, classic cocktail sauce, and an innovative Italian twist with garlic and chilli, inspired by co-founder Valeria’s background.

Sides are almost as important as the main event at a spot like this, and they do not disappoint, with the oh so trendy-at-the-moment mac n cheese taking centre stage, although the fries and were decent and the deep fried lobster legs were an interesting twist on an otherwise unused part of the animal.

The cocktail list is short and sweet, and specials rotate through the board, including offerings from the public. If you like your lobster a certain way, if it’s tasty enough then it can become part of the menu!

So get involved, duck in out of the rain and cold for a hearty filling feast, and you can show off to all your friends through the power of social media as you take nautical themed photos using the iPads generously strewn around the tables as you peruse the menu. Just remember to stick in a #lobsterkitchen for good measure.

More information here: www.lobsterkitchen.co.uk

Written by a Thoroughly Modern Man, James Bomford.

Rhodes Restaurant Calabash Hotel, Grenada

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‘Calabash’ is a word I noticed frequently on my Caribbean trip. This exotic fruit is widely grown and every island has properties named after it.

Grenada’s Calabash Hotel is very well known, popular particularly for its exceptional Gary Rhodes restaurant. We went along for a lovely evening of music, cocktails and food.

Like many Caribbean restaurants, the cocktails here are fun, fruit juice based, often topped with a ruby red jewel cherry. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that these drinks have unique and creative recipes. They are rather sweet but with some inventive flavour combinations.

After visiting the chef in the kitchen and slurping up the dregs of our cocktails, we sat down in the main restaurant area. The decor is simple and smart, with a gentle accompaniment from the steel drum, it generated a relaxing and soothing mood.

We perused the menu whilst enjoying a glass of white wine and taking in the atmosphere. Each day there are two menus on offer so regular guests at the hotel eating here every night have plenty of choice: the chef’s daily specials are super fresh, seasonal dishes according to the catch of the day, and the standard Rhodes menu offers a larger selection of dishes, which change less regularly, designed by Gary. We mixed and matched as I’m sure many diners do.

Pan-fried tiger prawns with a citrus souscaille was prettily presented, a light and summery starter. My butternut squash risotto was filling but delicious with a lovely combination of toasted almonds, spring onions and fresh herb vinaigrette on top – all it needed was an extra sprinkling of parmesan and a touch of ground black pepper.

Main courses were spectacular, we chose the chef’s recommendations and they didn’t disappoint: the Caribbean warm lobster with spicy rice and creole sauce, and Gary’s more British fillet of beef with roast potato and sautéed mushrooms. The lobster was breathtaking – the best we tried on the island: juicy, plump and meaty, it was cooked and prepared to perfection. The beef was wonderful too, the highest quality meat, topped with a foamy wholegrain mustard cream sauce.

The night was coming to an end; an enthusiastic waiter finished singing with the band and couples began to leave their tables bidding goodnight. We had time to quickly try the famous chocolate banana pudding with chocolate ice-cream, an indulgent mess of gooey goodness. Banana and chocolate is a popular pairing in Grenada and this pudding was finely executed; a fondant like dessert with great flavour and texture.

Rhodes Calabash is a magnificent restaurant and an example of how Caribbean ingredients and British ideas can create a very successful fine dining menu.

More information here.

http://www.calabashhotel.com/dining/rhodes-restaurant/

Trip to Carriacou, Grenada, Caribbean

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Few know that the country of Grenada is actually made up of three islands: the largest and most populated is Grenada itself, followed by Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Both planes and ferries are available from Grenada to Carriacou, though Petite Martinique can only be reached by water transport. We were lucky enough to visit Carriacou for the day though I’d recommend staying a night or two as accommodation is cheap (US$25-85 a night) and the island is beautiful.

The list below is not exhaustive but rather a few suggested highlights that the Grenada Board of Tourism organised for me:

1.     Island tour with Robert – a local man with an extensive knowledge of Carriacou. He took us to see:

a.     Hillsborough Town

b.     Belle Vue (a beautiful view as in the title)

c.      The ancient French Windmill

d.     Windward boat building

e.     Paradise Beach

2.     Have lunch at Kayak Kafe and Juice Bar – fresh juices, smoothies and delicious homemade wraps.

3.     Have a beer and fresh lobster at Off the Hook on Paradise Beach.

4.     Take a water taxi over to Sandy Island… an idyllic strip of beach in the middle of the sea.

I knew little of Carriacou before I arrived in Grenada but I urge you to schedule it into your trip. A visit to Grenada is not complete without it.

I travelled to Carriacou by Osprey Express (express is only in the name, not in the service). It leaves from Carenage in St George’s, Grenada and arrives in Hillsborough, Carriacou.

A return ticket cost US$60 per person (EC$160).

With thanks to the Grenada Board of Tourism.

http://www.grenadagrenadines.com/