Portland Pier Lobster Roll: Luke's Lobster

If there was a lobster roll that topped my list to try this summer, it was Luke's Lobster lobster roll. The new location has been the talk of the town since the announcement last winter, with the 60 Portland Pier location marking Luke's first full-service and largest restaurant of his 40 global locations.

Not familiar with Luke Holden? He's a Cape Elizabeth native with lobster in his blood. A 25-year-old investment banker living in NYC, he was homesick for Maine and a good 'ol traditional lobster roll. And God knows you can't get anything even close to that in the Big Apple. Those big city folk try too hard to dress that shit up with too much mayo and lettuce and celery (oh, the horror!) and fancy bread. So what the hell... Luke just decided to make his own. His first lobster shack opened in the East Village in 2009 and he charged $14 per roll, while others were charging an arm and a couple legs – typical NYC... I could go on but I won't so Google him, he seems like a really interesting and clearly super smart guy.

So on to the task at hand. It was a Friday and a beautiful day in downtown Portland so I grabbed a couple coworkers and headed down to the Pier excited for my first Luke's experience... Damn. No expense was spared in the construction of this restaurant. The location at the end of the pier offers spectacular views of Casco Bay in just about every direction. Part of me was slightly disappointed that we couldn't get a seat on the (somewhat smallish) deck; while the other part of me was relieved not to have to fight off any thieving seagulls.

We were seated immediately – something I'm sure doesn't happen during the dinner rush – in a very bright, window-filled dining room with killer views. (Here's my official plea for Luke's to please please please offer reservations for dinner!) I didn't really peruse the entire menu once I found my choices for lobster rolls so I really have no idea what else they offer.

Lobster Roll: Classic or Jumbo - $20/$26
Claw and knuckle meat lightly dressed with mayo and butter (or something like that)

I went with the Jumbo. Because I'm a pig and I want ALL the lobster.

Much to my dismay, the presentation of my lobster roll did not make a great first impression – just laying there all splayed out in its little basket. The lobster looked shiny and a little weird. But I refused to make any snap judgments because this was Luke's and how the hell could someone be this successful making sucky lobster rolls.

Guess what? This lobster roll did not suck. It was pretty far from sucking.

The traditional split top roll that is so crucial to my happiness was buttered and toasted. Yay. The lobster meat was claws and knuckles, which if cooked properly can be just as enjoyable as a lobster roll with tail meat included – look at me evolving! And yes, every bite of that lobster was so sweet and delicious, I didn't want it to end. My mouth waters just writing this blog post. The combination of light mayo AND melted butter is now my new favorite thing in the world and needs to happen on every future lobster roll I eat. There was no stupid lettuce or anything else that could be construed as needless filler. It comes with chips and a pickle too!

If I had one complaint – and you knew it was coming – I'd say it was the price. The lobster roll in the photo was $26. I'm familiar with what $26 can get me and it's a lot more lobster than this. See the obnoxiously overflowing roll at Red's Eats in Wiscasset (although that pile of lobster also comes with a painful hour plus wait in line.) So yeah... add more lobster to the jumbo and I'll be less whiny.

Overall, I'll recommend this place in a heartbeat. The location, the food, the atmosphere – all top notch. It's a touch expensive but then again Portland IS a foodie town!