Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Who Doesn't Love A Good Lobster Boil?!

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A New England-style lobster boil. (Photo via Carla's Tasty Treats)

As summer finally creeps its way back into our lives, there's one awesome occasion we can look forward to: the lobster boil.

You may be lucky enough to have generous friends who invite you over for such fabulous fetes, but in case you don't, we've got you covered.

Several places around town are going out of their way to make sure you don't miss out on the action like Tripoli Tap Tavern in Lincoln Park. This seventh-annual lobster boil (and clam bake!) goes down Memorial Day weekend 3pm-until May 29.

For $60 per person, you'll get one boiled lobster, stuffed quahogs (baked clams), steamers (more clams), steak tips, porchetta, corn on the cob, clam chowder and more. And also included in the price: all-you-can-drink beer and vodka lemonades. Tickets are limited, so call the tavern ASAP.

Over at Seasons Lounge at the Four Seasons, Executive Chef Kevin Hickey's whipping up a variety of lobster boils in June.

Lobster Boil Fridays happens June 3, 10, 17 with three courses served family style for $48 per person (minimum two people). Guests will get it served in the middle of the table complete with bibs, crackers and all the condiments you need for a full-scale lobster boil.

Here's what you'll get each week:

June 3: Lobster Spain
Salmorejo (chilled tomato fondue with fresh cheese) with crispy eggplant lobster "cazuela" chorizo, piquillo peppers, fava beans, razor clams and saffron broth, and torrijas custard soaked bread cooked in caramel with cinnamon ice cream

June 10: Lobster Vietnamese
Summer rolls with peanut sauce; lobster "Pho' culantro, basil, sea beans, limes, pork belly, homemade chili sauce, noodles, Vietnamese coffee

June 17: Lobster American
Wedge of Bibb lettuce, Maytag blue cheese and spicy tomato vinaigrette, duck fat onion rings, Maine lobster boil sweet corn, fingerling potatoes, homemade Andouille sausage and cockles, buttermilk biscuits and Old Bay butter; strawberry shortcake with rhubarb sorbet

And June 1-July 31, Shaw's Crab House throws its massive Lobster Festival at both locations in River North and Schaumburg.

For $36.99 per person (minimum two people), guests will get a three-course family style lobster dinner that will include a cup of clam chowder or lobster bisque, one-pound whole Maine lobster, corn on the cob, boiled red potatoes, coleslaw, and slice of key lime pie. If that's not enough food for you, you can pay an additional $16 for an extra one-pound lobster.

If you're not down with the lobster boil, Shaw's is also doing a number of other lobster dishes, including maki, pasta, rolls, salads and lobster with blue crab stuffing. Yum yum!

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