In Search of Lobster in the New London Area

               Photo by Les Sulgrove - Des Moines, Iowa

I saw a tv commercial for Red Lobster today. There are 680 Red Lobster Restaurants in the United States and Canada.  I thought it was a silly idea when several years ago, a Red Lobster opened in New London, CT. Why would anyone want to go to a lobster restaurant chain when they can buy the very best fresh lobster at several locations in the area? Obviously the locals agreed, because the chain closed the restaurant a few years later.  (I did go to Red Lobster several times just for the Garlic Cheese Biscuits. )

We prefer to buy our lobsters live from Ford's Lobsters in Noank and take them home to cook.  The prices are comparatively reasonable and the quality is outstanding. I enjoy the scenery and activity on the dock, while my husband goes in the shack to pick out our critters.

For lobster rolls, there is no place better than Captain Scott's Lobster Dock on 80 Hamilton St in New London.  Captain Scott's is no longer the best kept secret in the area, being located in the shadows of the relatively new Pfizer International Headquarters. There is nothing fancy about the place. The dining area is a bunch of picnic tables set along the water (and close to the train tracks).  They serve the lobster rolls with the usual sides like french fries and onion rings... but no Garlic Cheese Biscuits*. 

*For anyone interested, I have a recipe for "Red Lobster Garlic Cheese Biscuits" which I'd be happy to email.