Is the famous New York lobster roll worthy of stuffing your face with? Read on…
When F&B businesses are closing left, right and centre, there’s always a wave of optimism when we hear of one opening during the pandemic. Even more so when it’s a popular restaurant hailing from New York. You probably heard the good news back in July. Two months later, seafood shack Luke’s Lobster is finally open for business. We had a sneaky bite ahead of the opening at its 23-seater resto at Shaw House, and let’s just say it’s not what we expected.
Luke’s Lobster review
But first, a little backstory…
From a humble lobster shack in the East Village to snaking queues in Japan and now a departmental store in Singapore’s Shaw House on Orchard Road, Luke’s Lobster has come a long way. A huge chunk of its popularity lies in its “ocean to plate” ethos. That’s right, the restaurant is anchored in traceability, making sure that every single seafood is sustainably sourced.
That’s not the only concept it’s brought to the red dot. From the classic Luke’s Lobster seafood shack interior right down to the menu, the Singapore outpost stays true to its core. We’re talking Maine lobsters and top quality crabs and shrimps served in Maine-style rolls.
A menu that lets seafood shine
The humble opening menu features the lobster roll ($25.50), crab roll ($23.50), shrimp roll ($21.50) and a sampler of all three in Luke’s Trio ($33.50, above). Sides include clam chowder ($11.50) and lobster bisque ($12.90). Each split-top bun is griddled and slathered with lemon butter, a touch of mayo and a sprinkle of Luke Lobster’s secret seasoning (we heard there’s a bunch of herbs in it). And, of course, you get generous chunks of your choice seafood. Wash it down with a pint of Little Creatures craft beer (from $16.50), lemonade or brewed teas (from $6.50). Psst: Grilled cheese and lobster sandwiches will be available at a later date.
The verdict
We really really wanted fireworks, that rolling-with-glee moment when we bit into the iconic lobster roll. But sadly, it lacked flavour. Overwhelmed with butter and let down by seasoning, the lobster itself was begging to shine. We slightly enjoyed the prawns and were pleasantly surprised with the comforting clam chowder, but that’s all you’ll get out of us for now.
On a brighter note, we love how the casual resto breathes life into the iconic Shaw House. Neon signages and rustic distressed wooden planks add character to the contemporary space. Oh, and peer over the counter to enjoy the assembly process of your order.
Still, we’ll give Luke’s Lobster the benefit of the doubt for opening kinks. C’mon, we’re positive there will be endless queues at the 23-seater anyway (it’s now reduced to 17 for safe distancing). Plus, we appreciate how these folks don’t skimp on the seafood – each roll is packed to overflowing with meat. We say try at least once for bragging rights.
Luke’s Lobster, #01-K4, Shaw House, 350 Orchard Road, Isetan Scotts, Singapore 238868. Opening hours: Daily 10am-9pm.
