Lobster Etiquette And Knowledge

Enjoying lobster in a restaurant requires some knowledge and etiquette to ensure you not only enjoy what has been prepared for you, but also to not offend those that are dining with you.

First off, lobster will come either hard shell or soft shell. Soft shell lobster has gone through the molting process and tends to be sweeter than hard shell.

It is easy to break apart, although the amount may be scarce since the meat has broken down and can be lost through transportation and preparation. Hard shell lobster will have more meat and is firmer.

The size of a lobster is also important, especially when you are picking and choosing your own lobster at a restaurant. Don't try to impress others by ordering the largest lobster in the tank. Stick to a medium size lobster, usually less than 5 pounds, since the meat becomes stringy in larger, older lobsters. Also, look for a lobster that has a rich green hue to it. This will indicate how fresh it is.

Do not feel intimidated if it is your first time eating a whole lobster in a restaurant. Eating a lobster will require you to follow some easy steps and guidelines. This will save you from the embarrassment of destroying your lobster.

How to Eat a Whole Lobster:

1. Holding the lobster by the back, slowly pull off the legs in a twisting motion. Although the legs are small, they do have meat inside, but may be tricky to remove.

2. With a gentle twisting motion, remove the claws (chelipeds), tearing them off at the joints. You may also want to use the nutcracker to do this if the claws resist from a gentle pull.

3. Remove the loose part of the claw and consume the meat inside.

4. The large section of the claw will require the use of a nutcracker. Simply crack down on the claw and take your small seafood fork and gently press the meat from the tip of the claw out the larger end of the claw.

5. Twist the tail and the back breaking them off into two separate sections.

6. Consuming the tail does require some care and practice since this section provides the best meat. Remove the small flippers, also known as the telsons, and insert your finger into the telson end and slowly force the meat out through the large opening that was once connected to the back. The meat located within the flippers is edible and quite delicious.

7. It is important to remove the black vein from the top of the tail and can be done by simply peeling off the top of the tail and pulling out the vein. Many people consume the tomally , the lobsters liver and digestive track, which will appear green, but it is not recommended since this is wear pollution will linger.

8. You may eat the remaining meat that is located within the body of the lobster, but you may encounter some mysterious organs. The gills and circulation system are edible as well as the rue. Rue, or coral, are the unfertilized eggs that are in the body of a female lobster and are consumed by true lobster lovers.

Proper lobster etiquette and knowledge is extremely important when dining out. Never use the lobster in any fashion as a toy, for instance, picking it up like a puppet and pretending that it is speaking to your dining guests.

Some restaurant's will go the extra step and actually cut the lobster in half for you to save you the trouble of breaking through the shell. If you would like this process to be done then you should request this when placing your order with the server.

Wearing the plastic bib that is provided for you by some restaurant's can be worn, but using a napkin is more appropriate, as long as it is a cloth napkin and not paper.

Enjoying a lobster tail is an easier way to enjoy lobster when dining out. When the tail is delivered to the table simply take your fork and gently pull the tail meat away from the base of the tail. This should require little force.

If you do not want to be troubled with the removal of the meat you should request the shell to be removed when you are placing the order with the server. Do not wait until your entree is delivered to your table to make this request. The kitchen will also appreciate the request when the order arrives to the kitchen and not as an afterthought.

With a little lobster etiquette and knowledge you should have confidence when dining out. Enjoying a whole lobster will require a little practice, but the rewards are delicious.