Some people think that lobster is only for the summer and warm weather. I disagree. Look, if you live in Maine and you can enjoy lobster year-round, you should. One of the best ways to do this?
The Luke’s Lobster Portland Pier winter menu, of course! It’s got plenty of comfort food essentials, lobster rolls, and cocktails to keep you warm the rest of the cold weather season. Keep reading for some highlights from the winter menu that you need to try!
The Classic Lobster Roll
Whether you’re a Mainer or not, lobster rolls are just about the most Maine thing you can order anywhere. And yes, why not order one in the dead of winter? Live a little, guys! The classic lobster roll at Luke’s is a BIG one. This is a lobster roll chock full with 1/4 lb of lobster meat.
It’s lightly dressed in mayo, lemon, and of course, butter. Butter, butter, butter. The best thing about any lobster roll (besides the lobster) is the butter. And yes, you can taste the butter in this lobster roll. It’s glorious. Butter will most certainly keep you warm on a cold winter evening!
Broiled Scallops with Ritz Crumb Topping
Another winner on Luke’s winter menu is the broiled scallops. Look, I love lobster (clearly) but I’m also pretty fond of scallops. Especially when they are big, juicy, and perfectly broiled. Even better?
When they are also topped with Ritz cracker crumb topping! Oh yes, this is like comfort food 101. It’s buttery, it’s crunchy, and it’s so flavorful, thanks to the incredibly tender, juicy scallops you’re biting into.
For the record, a 1/2 lb of scallops is going to leave you very, very full but in a good way. You won’t be cold after this meal!
Fried Whole Belly Clams
Yes, I realize the fried whole belly clams are not technically a special on the Winter menu. I get that. But why take them off the menu when they are SO DAMN GOOD? Okay, real talk here.
Seafood in Maine does a lot of things right. One of these things is most definitely fried clams. When I was a kid, my idea of fried clams was stringy, frozen clam strips and even those were served in upstate New York when I went to visit my grandparents every summer.
They were…okay but until I moved to Maine for college, I had no idea what a fried clam should really taste like. Specifically, a fried whole belly clam. But good lord, fried whole belly clams are an incredible thing.
It’s hard to say where the best fried clams are because the clams are fresh. Like straight from the ocean fresh. Here’s what I can tell you: the fried whole belly clams at Luke’s Lobster are amazing.
They are perfectly fried, and never too heavy. They aren’t battered or left flavorless. Instead, the true integrity of the whole belly clams shines through, as it should.
Lobster Mac & Cheese
Okay, when it comes to cold, winter nights, one of the best things is a bowl of ooey, gooey mac n cheese. Now, I think the only way you can possibly make mac n cheese better is by adding lobster to it, and that’s exactly what Luke’s Lobster did.
Let me tell you: it is decadent. Cheese lovers, this is the mac n cheese you’ve been waiting for. It’s hearty, rich, and definitely going to stick to your ribs through a long, cold Maine winter (whenever that decides to get here but I’m not complaining!)
Now, there are certainly chunks of lobster to be found in this lobster mac n cheese, but I wish there had been more. I wish they had been bigger.
Give me a claw or two while we’re at it, right? It’s not necessary or really needed, but I wouldn’t complain if it was there. Regardless, there’s plenty of lobster in this mac n cheese and the flavor comes through as the perfect complement to the richness of the cheese.
I can confidently tell you that this winter, Luke’s Lobster is a must-try for their comforting dishes! You may just find me at the bar during happy hour or enjoying another lobster roll!
