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| Lobster Roll on the Bar Menu at Acadia (1639 S. Wabash) |
A lobster roll's essential ingredients are simply a top split bun (so, it opens on top instead of the side) and lobster meat. Like so many sandwiches that have come before, the bread is of the utmost importance. It's so vital that McCaskey worked out a deal with his lobster purveyor for them to buy and send packages of a specific type of bread, used for lobster rolls, and only sold in Maine (and not available for interstate shipping) with his order. "I tried making buns in house and they just aren't the same. The bread," he explains, "should be buttery and crispy on the outside and steam on the inside—warming the lobster with the steam."
And what of the lobster—which part makes for the best roll? Claw, tail and knuckles are used for the filling, but McCaskey says his favorite part is the knuckle meat 'because it's sweet and more toothsome than the other parts.' The meat is quickly cooked in hot water, broken down, chopped, mixed with some mayonnaise, a squeeze of lemon and some chives. A high quality paprika blend is sprinkled over the top to give a bit of depth. He explains the spice is a traditional garnish on Maine lobster rolls. Armed with definite opinions on what goes into a good roll, he tells us he finds the addition of celery "kinda gross" and views lettuce "as just a filler…because I'd rather have more lobster." He quickly adds that these opinions are based on what he ate there as a child. "This is what I grew up with, its what I know." So instead of giving a gussied up version of his childhood fare, he focuses on offering the best, most authentic version of its simple self. "I'm a purist at heart," he says, "I wanted to give an authentic experience, not try to change it."........[mouth watering]......[noises coming out].....[hungry]........oh yeah we need to finish this post.
We don't particularly like mayonnaise but that doesn't stop us and we suggest that it shouldn't stop you either.
We're a long way from the Cape (so I'm skeptical) but I may just have to sneak around the corner and try! A lobster roll in February could be just what the doctor ordered!
ReplyDeleteOMG. Yet ANOTHER post about Acadia and it's over-priced food? Are you kidding me? Is there nothing else going on in the south loop?
ReplyDeleteI picked one up on saturday and I will say it was a LEGIT lobster roll. I used to live out east and have been looking for a good lobster roll since moving here. I have tried GT Fish's, Fish Bar's, Joe's, and this one exceeds all of them. Really nice staff in there too!
ReplyDeleteI love Acadia, but 2 things they really need to do. 1. Those little biscuits they serve bw the entrees, bring a couple more vs just one. 2. Bar area should be buzzing nightly. Provide a deal for a drink and lobster roll for $15 or drink and dessert. It's hard to get the wife to go out to Acadia as it would cost us $67 (16 each lobster roll + 12 each drink + 7 tax + 5 tip) to get one drink and one lobster roll each.
ReplyDelete^^^ So you want a mich star spot to offer "bar specials" so you can afford it???
ReplyDeletenom nom nom more biscuits----dude sounds like you belong at Golden Coral or Olive garden
Anon @ 11:14. You tip 5 dollars on a $62 bill? You are exactly the type they are trying to keep out of there.
ReplyDeleteANON @ 11:14 = TRASH
ReplyDelete$5 tip!? Please stay home.
ReplyDeleteI would never tip just $5 on this meal - I was trying to make a point in general.. did not realize everyone was going to focus on that part, but no one actually commented on the actual issue. So I guess you are ok with paying $75 for 2 lobster rolls and 2 drinks?
ReplyDeleteThat is actually a very good price for a 5 star restaurant. You want $15 dollars for lobster roll and a drink? A good burger costs 10 bucks+ at takeout places nearby. Think how quality and type of customer would drop. That michelin star would go away along with it.
ReplyDeleteLove this lobster roll and the vodka,gin drink is so good... It's tough to justify a $75 bill but it was sooo good.
ReplyDeleteWe visited the New England Seafood Co. @ 3341 N Lincoln and they price their lobster rolls a little higher served on paper plates, it's BYOB and not as good (but the chowdah is amazing)...
Acadia provides the upscale option that can't be beat! It's such a treat to have fine bar dining in our neighborhood.
They are still serving the tiny biscuits, 1 per person??? lol. That was 1 reason we kept from returning. We literally laughed when the waitress brought it out with more butter on the plate than biscuits- she totally understood, made a joke herself, as we were asking "who needs that much butter for a baby biscuit?". I thought it might've been b/c we visited in the first few weeks Acadia opened- guess not!
ReplyDeleteDon't mind the pricing, but I can only hope Ryan would consider increasing the portion sizes at some point. You shouldn't walk away hungry when you drop Benjamins on a meal.
On the Lobster Roll note, has anyone tried the new spot in Streeterville called Da Lobsta?
Shaw's lobster roll has been amazing for years.
ReplyDeleteLobster's not cheap. Why are people surprised at the price?
Just so there is no confusion. Acadia is fantastic and the lobster rolls should stay at the price, I was only suggessting that once in awhile - throw a deal out there on maybe a slower night.
ReplyDeleteLobster is not cheap. True.
ReplyDeleteBut I don't think it is as expensive as you think....
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/01/05/maine-lobster-prices-sink-as-catch-levels-hit-new-record/
http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2012/08/lobster_prices_are_collapsing_but_market_price_lobster_meals_aren_t_getting_any_cheaper_.html
$80 for two appetizers and two drinks screams LINCOLN PARK, not South Loop. This place will be shuttered in less than 2 years. Guaranteed.
ReplyDeleteAnd, it's not that my wife and I can't afford it. It's that we're smart enough not to pay it.
ANON @ 740
ReplyDeleteYou're so wrong it hurts. Are you saying the south loop cannot have fine dining? Is it because its south....please explain your reasoning I am dying to know..
And another thing---you and your wife are "too smart" for places like Acadia....so what resturants satisfy your huge brains? Bennigan's? Hooters? Some great joints there with some great deals.
I swear there is some awfuly DUMB stuff that is spewed on this blog from time to time...
the South Loop is the southside Lincoln park... without all of the hassles you will find up there.
ReplyDeleteOne example does not equal "trend."
ReplyDeleteWe were referencing a post on Eater Chicago:
ReplyDeletehttp://chicago.eater.com/archives/2013/02/21/eater-contributor-catherine-de-orio.php#more
They talk about the "trend" and name 8 places in Chicago where you can get Lobster Roll's.
My husband and I are in the same bucket as Anon 7:40. I wouldn't use the words "too smart", but I just have no interest in spending money on fine dining. There's a huge difference between Bennigan's/Hooters and Acadia. We typically frequent non-chain establishments in the $10-20 entree range, and we only dine out a couple times a week. I would guess the majority of the South Loop population is in this category. That's not to say I don't think fine dining shouldn't exist. They just need to be able to bring in people from other areas in order to survive if they're going to setup shop in the South Loop.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the Anons who feel this is not a wise way to spend money. Lincoln Park Trixies are too dumb to realize that, and Viagra triangle dudes are wealthy enough not to care. I feel like most of the South Loop (read young parents or newly married couples) ARE wise enough not to blow 80 bucks for an appetizer and a drink. There's a reason we don't have many of these types of places here in the South Loop; it's also why we have zero clothing boutiques in the entire neighborhood; and why we have 2 subways, a jimmy johns, a potbelly, and a jersey mikes all within 3 blocks of each other!
ReplyDeleteafter reading these comments from most anons i feel dumber...
ReplyDeleteI literally CRY for you losers, please leave here and go back to your trailer park 10 dollar dinners
I actually live in a four bedroom penthouse condo (not a trailer park), and all three of my kids' college educations are fully funded before they turn 10 years old. You want to know why? Because we don't spend $80 for a piece of fish, three potato chips, and 3 three ounces of vodka.
ReplyDeleteanon @ 121
ReplyDeleteyoure obviously lying...
Its sooooo awkward when someone flexes their internet muscles/internet fantasies
Please go back to the trailer, I think its time for supper
"DumbAnons" = clueless
ReplyDeleteANON@ 6:42 = 18 yr old columbia student who hides behind the internet
ReplyDeleteI don't know many 18 y/o college students wise enough to budget an appropriate amount of cash for food, mortgage, and college. Nonetheless, whatever makes you, 'DumbAnons,' feel better about sitting at the bar at Acadia with 5 or 6 other dolts dropping $80 for a piece of fish.
ReplyDeleteANON @ 354
ReplyDeleteThey dont have an "80 dollar piece of fish" on the menu, knucklehead. If you have to lie to get your point accross then its not much of a point at all , is it?
Like I said, --- back to the trailer is time for supper.