It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the lobster roll – the iconic Maine delicacy consisting of fresh made lobster salad consisting of chunks of Maine lobster meat, light mayonnaise, chopped celery and finely diced onion stuffed in a butter-grilled “East Coast-style” brioche bun – is a menu staple at Bluewater Grill.
After all, several Bluewater owners and general managers hail from the Northeast, and regularly spotlight New England culinary traditions including Ipswich Fried Clams, Cherrystone Clams on the Half Shell, homemade chowders, summer clambakes and Baked Stuffed Maine Lobster during the holidays.
In honor of Bluewater’s New England roots and National Lobster Day on Sept. 25, Bluewater Boathouse is serving a steaming Bluewater Lobster Roll and cup of housemade New England Clam Chowder for just $20, an $8.50 savings off the menu price. The offer is valid on Sept. 25 only.
According to Bluewater co-founder and co-owner, himself a New England native, the “key” in addition to the Maine Lobster are the specially made “pull-apart” hot dog-style buns indigenous to New England with a slit on the top and flat sides that can be grilled golden brown.
“We modeled our version of the lobster roll – a white-bread brioche piled with a mixture of sustainably harvested Maine lobster, celery, finely diced sweet onion, and mayonnaise – after the classic recipe served by my mother, and it has really taken off with our regulars to become the most popular item on our menu. We’re seeing generations of New England transplants eager for a reminder of home as well as travelers to Maine, Massachusetts and the region who want to experience the delicacy on the West Coast.”
Bluewater’s Lobster Roll can also be ordered “hot buttered-style,” a Connecticut tradition in which the lobster meat is sautéed in butter and topped on the brioche buns steaming hot.
The Lobster Roll dates back to at least 1929 when it appeared on the menu of Perry’s, a restaurant in Millford, Conn. Other versions showed up at The Lobster Roll restaurant, and elsewhere on New York’s Long Island in the 1960s, and at roadside stands throughout Maine in the 1970s. Since then, the delicacy has been most closely associated with Maine but available throughout New England and in the Maritime provinces in Canada, particularly Nova Scotia.
Added Ulcickas: “Did you know that the lobster was once considered peasant food? In the 1800s, the crustacean was incredibly plentiful and New Englanders could simply walk down the beach and capture them during low tide. Many servants lived off lobster during this time. In fact, one Massachusetts community had to pass a law that limited how often you could serve lobster to your servants. It was a modest three times a week! Times have changed and lobster is now considered a delicacy!”
Bluewater’s Lobster Roll is regularly priced at $22 – but on Sept. 25 is only $20 that also includes a cup of clam chowder. That’s a $28.50 value!
For menus, locations, hours of operation, phone numbers and other information about the soon-to-be eight unique Bluewater restaurants in Southern California and Arizona, go to www.bluewatergrill.com. You can also follow each restaurant on Facebook, or the Bluewater family on Instagram.
