Chelsea @ The Lobster Place

I came to know the Lobster Place quite well over the last three years as I worked only two blocks away from Chelsea Market.  Since it was the two blocks towards the Hudson - and not two blocks toward the rest of humanity near 9th Avenue - my ability to quickly run out to grab a bite was extremely curtailed, and quite frequently limited to Chelsea Market.  The Lobster Place is hard to miss - its expansion in the last year has provided a massive amount of windows facing inwardly to the market walkway. As of now, it is the only place to buy fresh fish as well as sushi within Chelsea Market (or ChelMar as a coworker affectionately called it) but that could of course change at any time since new spaces are constantly opening up within the market.  To the left is countless types of fish and shellfish all on ice and awaiting your culinary inspirations, to the right is the expanded sushi counter and in the back a short order window if you're in the mood for made-to-order rolls.  Outside the store there are bar stools and a bar that is attached to the shop windows provided a place for you to sit and quickly eat your purchased meal.

I love Lobster Place for its no nonsense sushi options (and it's standoff no nonsense sushi chefs) and it's rolls don't disappoint either.  I've had a decent amount of shrimp rolls in my time but their shrimp roll is quite different.  The shrimp itself is tossed with fresh tarragon, capers, cornichons, parsley, chives and mixed with mayo to provide a fresh and savory treat.  While it sounds waaaay too ingredient heavy (simplicity is usually the key with rolls, right?) it actually is a delectable assortment of flavors with plenty of meat to insure you're not left wanting.  Using the same shrimp they sell within the grocery section of the store insures that they have the freshest meat available to incorporate into the rolls (they sell close to 1 million pounds of lobster alone each year).  Served on a buttered and grill roll for $7.95 (including chips and slaw), it's an easy on the wallet mid-day indulgence.

The Lobster Place
Chelsea Market
75 Ninth Avenue
(212) 255-5672
www.lobsterplace.com

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