Where to Fulfill Your Love for Lobster

Nov 5th 2010 4:00PM / by Nanette Wiser

Autumn is Julian apple pie and California spiny lobster season, but this year, Asian demand for this succulent sweet meat drove prices through the roof. George's genius chef Trey Foshee recently blogged about the price spike and therefore not being able to offer a popular lobster tasting menu. As he put it, "I just can't justify charging $140 or more per person." Anticipating lobster lust, creative chefs dish up crustaceans from Maine to Australia. If you love lobster mesquite grilled and served with rice, beans or tortillas (Rimel's Rotisserie), or as lobster dynamite (Zenbu's), these seaworthy gems will make you swoon.

Blue Point Coastal: At this restaurant, you'll find coastal décor, quiet ambiance and quixotic Mediterranean and Pan Pacific dishes. Seek out the scentsational savory lobster bisque with sherry and crème fraiche and the Maine lobster trio -- ravioli in lobster beurre blanc, butter poached claw and grilled half tail, best eaten with garlicky baby bok choy.
565 5th Ave., Downtown; 619-233-6623

Bay Park Fish Co.: Bay Park offers casual seafood accompanied by a serious wine and beer list, serving up the best lobster tacos in town, lightly seasoned and sautéed Maine meat served with spicy rice and beans, best washed down with a Coronado golden IPA. Lobster ravioli topped with mahi mahi piccata and pencil asparagus rivals five-star restaurants. And, yes, there's sushi.
4121 Ashton St., Bay Park; 619-276-3474

Top of the Market: The Fish Market's upscale upstairs sister overlooks San Diego Bay. It boasts an exhibition kitchen, white linen service and an exuberant bar crowd sipping expensive pinots while dining on blue-crab crusted Maine lobster tail served with asparagus, potato puree and citrus hollandaise, or savory Maine lobster pot pie with truffle cream and Chino farm vegetables.
750 N. Harbor Drive, Downtown; 619-232-3474

George's at the Cove: If the following dish at George's could be a perfume, it would be my signature scent. Maine lobster seafood stew with toasted pasta, marcona almonds and orange aioli is typical Foshee art of mixing flavors, aroma and color, as you know from his Chino farm carrots served in Indian spiced yogurt, cilantro and crushed almonds. Ab-fab view and people-watching.
1250 Prospect St., La Jolla; 858-454-4244

Pacifica Del Mar: Pacifica Del Mar is coastal cuisine at its best. Their earthy truffle port sauce complements the Maine lobster served with parmesan truffle gnocchi, arugula and sweet peas, perfect with the ocean view and a glass of Chimney Rock Fume Blanc. Add a top sirloin or filet if you want surf 'n' turf. Skip dessert and find your Mr. Right for now after dinner while sampling one of 75 vodkas.
1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar Plaza; 858-792-0476