Lobsters Mate For Life

I don't know if that's true or not. I remember an episode of Friends where Phoebe said that, so probably not the best resource for a budding writer to use. I will say, however, that I would be happy to mate with a lobster for life...at least from a food perspective (the lobster would likely not be excited about that). Lobster and shellfish is some of my favorite food and being from New England I'm in the perfect place to enjoy this fare whenever my little heart desires. As we're coming up on summer, I am preparing to set out on my annual hunt for the best lobster roll New England has to offer. Before you say it, I will be the first one to say that the above statement is extremely misleading as I would certainly be biting off more than I could chew...pun intended. The numbers of seafood shanty's and lobster shacks around New England that bloom in the warm weather is great. One person would have to spend their entire summer going around to the different states and looking in all of the different nooks to truly try every single lobster roll this region serves up every summer. I will, however, give you one very preliminary recommendation that came from the most unexpected of spots. As I live in Rhode Island, I'm used to a lot of the local family-owned restaurants and diners featuring seafood selections on their menus. The Whistle Stop Cafe in Albion, RI is hands down one of the best lobster rolls I've ever had. They do it both ways--the cold lobster salad or hot with butter. I've always been partial to the cold lobster salad myself and have become adept to dissecting the quality of the lobster meat, the amount of mayonnaise used, what seasonings are present and most important of all, how the bun is prepared. The Whistle Stop uses fresh, large chunks of lobster that is both sweet and salty with just the right amount of creamy mayonnaise. There it just enough crunch from a little diced celery. It all rests on a crisp bed of lettuce and is served in a hogie roll that they shave the sides off of to grill with butter. It all amounts to nothing short of a miracle. If you're in the area, get yourself there for an early kick off to the lobster season! Bon appétit, Tricia