Lucky us, that we “went in” on a beach house with others the week of July 4th, where everyday was hotter than the next. Funny how, 95 degrees on day one screams “BEACH!” but on Day 3 screams “AIR CONDITIONING!”
Irrelevant note #1; Seabrook is VERY commutable to the Lowell area.
Irrelevant note #2; Now would be a pretty good time to consider that fact, if you ever were going to!
Irrelevant note #3; Only rent a 1st floor unit, with 4 kids under the age of 7 above you on the 2nd floor, if you find the non-stop pitter patter of 8 running feet from the front of the house, to the back of the house, to the front of the house, to the back of the house…, beginning at 7AM EVERY SINGLE MORNING, if you find that sort of thing “adorable”. (Why is it that little kids RUN everywhere?)
Irrelevant note #4; This football season, just for shits and giggles, during commercial breaks, I’m going to RUN to the fridge for a beer, and run back. Then, RUN to the john (lou?), and run back…
OK..back on track… (I think my sentences run maybe…)
MGuirk’s, Hampton Beach, decent Irish Pub, good pub grub, nice people, advertises “THE BIGGEST AND THE BEST LOBSTER ROLL ON THE BEACH”. The bartender described it as served in “Fresh Baked French Bread” and “Huge”. He was right. Sort of. “Fresh Baked” really meant, “par baked elsewhere, then frozen, then finished in our oven“. It was OK. And, he was right, it was huge. The bread that is. The lobster salad was good enough. Way too much bread, and yeast. But it doesn’t work if the sign says; “THE MOST OK LOBSTER SALAD IN THE BIGGEST SORT-OF-FRESH-BAKED ROLL ON THE BEACH” $18.00
Tuna Striker, Seabrook, Eastman’s Dock. Tuna Striker went back to it’s old name, because apparently, no one ever stopped calling it that. This spot is capital R-U-S-T-I-C. No frills. The type of place that other places try to replicate (Disney, Summer Shack, etc) but authenticity is just that. On the water, on the dock, cool breeze, shimmery reflections, clear plastic solo cups filled with gin and tonic. The lobster roll was only $15.00. And it was OVERSTUFFED with HUGE chunks of lobster, like, claws from a 2 pounder. Like, they clearly catch their own. This sounds great to some, I know. BUT…hardly any mayo, no seasoning, no additional ingredients, and the pieces way too big to eat without a fork and a knife. For me, notsomuch. For me, If I need utensils, I’ll order a lobster instead. The flavor was ok, again.
The BEST Lobster roll?? I know, I am partial. Moonstones. And I TOO said
“Tarragon? No way dude! Are you high? This is New England”?
BUT…and a big but (haha)… Chef Enx’s Lobster Roll, which is a brioche roll (made with butter), which 1st gets buttered with butter that had lobster shells poached in it 1st (meaning the butter itself tastes like lobster), before it is griddled golden brown, before it is stuffed (not OVERstuffed) with freshly shucked and chopped lobster meat, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, with a HINT of tarragon and fresh lemon…yes…lemon…AWESOME! $18.00. We live and die by the phrase: “Butter makes it better!” Tell me I’m wrong. Likewise, tell us where the best lobster roll is! We’re always game for a road trip!
-SPlath
**Please read my column in Merrimack Valley Magazine for more “Chef-centric” blather and for more “actual” information and free stuff occasionally, receive our monthly newsletter! Sign up on either restaurant website. COBBLESTONES
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