Lobster dishes are a must during the summer months. Whether you’re indulging on a meaty lobster roll or cracking the claws of a steamed lobster, the sweet meat of our favorite crustacean goes hand-in-hand with the warmer weather. So we’re naturally excited to hear that Surf City is extending its Lobster Palooza Festival through Sunday, August 25.
During this time, the waterfront beach bar has a special lobster-only menu with 17 different lobster-based entrees. The dishes include a Lobster Paella, Lobster Salad, Lobster Ramen, and Lobster Thermidor. The menu also offers whole lobsters prepared in French (shallots, garlic, and haricots verts), Spanish (saffron-infused butter with paella rice), or Classic (with steamed corn) styles.
The menu is created by executive chef and Chopped champion, Franco Robazetti. (Robazetti won Food Network’s competition with his lobster dishes). Jersey City Upfront was invited to try out some dishes and these are some of our favorites.
Lobster Salad
Light and refreshing, the Lobster Salad ($22) is a fresh mix of greens and avocado slices with roasted cherry tomatoes and fire-grilled corn. It has a light drizzle of avocado poblano ranch dressing and comes with generous amounts of sweet, lobster meat.
Lobster Quesadilla
We really like this quesadilla because unlike most quesadillas, which tend to be oily and overly greasy, Surf City’s Lobster Quesadilla ($20) is filling, but not heavy. It’s a flour tortilla with just the right amount of cheddar Jack cheese and chunks of lobster meat. It comes with tiny mounds of salsa, guac, and sour cream.
Lobster Paella
Surf City is no stranger to paella (they’ve had Paella Festivals in the past) and their seafood paella is one of our favorites. Being that paella is generally hard to find in Jersey City, this Lobster Paella ($25) is a must. You get a half lobster with mussels, clams, shrimp, and calamari on top of yellow saffron rice.
Coconut Gelato
We liked the playful presentation of this dessert. It’s coconut gelato on a mound of sugar (clearly you don’t eat the sugar) accompanied by pecans.
Pineapple Gelato
Like the Coconut Gelato, this Pineapple Gelato comes on a mound of sugar drizzled with strawberry jam. It’s accompanied by fresh strawberries and served in a freshly cut pineapple.
Surf City | 1 Marin Boulevard
