It’s the ultimate summer supper — strapping on a bib, grabbing a cracker and a pick and tackling a big, red lobster. The meat is even sweeter when it’s part of a deal and, for this, Long Island restaurants have you covered. Here’s a sampling of local restaurants that designate one weeknight as Lobster Night.
With one exception (because it’s all-you-can-eat at Dockers in East Quogue), the edge goes to places that serve lobsters weighing at least 1½ pounds. Make sure you reserve in advance: lobster quantities are limited. And some of these offers don’t extend past Labor Day, so act fast if you want to take advantage of them.
MONDAY
Dockers Waterside
94 Dune Rd., East Quogue
COST $99 through Aug. 26
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Dockers takes every advantage of its location on Shinneco*ck Bay; almost all the tables have spectacular water views and, as you dine, you’ll see herons, egrets, swallows and terns hovering above the water, attempting to do the same. The buffet offers as many 1¼-pound lobsters as you can eat, plus unlimited shrimp, raw clams and oysters, corn on the cob and roast potatoes. The lobster-agnostic can have their fill of penne alla vodka, meatballs, barbecued ribs, jerk chicken, mussels with green curry, blackened salmon, salads and desserts. More info: 631-653-0653, dockerswaterside.com
Fatfish
28 Cottage Ave., Bay Shore
COST $65 through Sept. 2
At his 20-year-old waterfront establishment, chef-owner Brian Valdini pays attention to fresh seafood all year long. The result is a restaurant with a very high quality-to-view quotient. Relax on the big deck, take in the expansive view of the Great South Bay and enjoy a steamed 1½-pound lobster that comes with mussels (in white-wine-garlic or red pomodoro sauce), baby carrots, French green beans and roast potatoes.More info: 631-666-2899, fatfish.info
Wantagh Inn
3264 Railroad Ave., Wantagh
COST $34 though Sept. 30
Wantagh Inn has been offering up hospitality and expertly tapped Guinness ale since 1984. Its lobster special is one of the best deals around: $34 buys you a 1½-pound lobster, steamed or broiled, plus corn on the cob and a baked potato.More info: 516-785-0809, thewantaghinn.com
Mill Pond
437 E. Main St., Centerport
COST $59.95 through Sept. 16
Centerport’s longtime waterside destination, Mill Pond House, is the place to be on Monday evenings when the kitchen puts out a three-course meal based around a steamed 1½-pound lobster surrounded by clams and mussels and accompanied by corn on the cob and fingerling potatoes. To start, you have your choice of lobster bisque, Caesar or chopped salad; to finish, gelato or chocolate mousse.More info: 631-261-7663, millpondrestaurant.com
TUESDAY
The Cull House
75 Terry St., Sayville
COST $70 through November
On the banks of Brown Creek in Sayville, The Cull House has been serving up classic American seafood since 1977. The Monday-night lobster special is designed to be shared by two ($140) and it includes two 1 ½-pound lobsters with clams, mussels, sausage and potatoes plus a bottle of wine.More info: 631-563-1546, cullhouse.com
Sophia Italian Bistro
71 Merrick Rd., Amityville
COST$52 through October
Chef-owner Enrique Bermeo cut his Italian culinary teeth as the longtime chef at Luigi Q in Hicksville before opening his own place in 2015. On Tuesday nights, he gets his New England on with a special featuring a 1½-pound lobster (steamed or stuffed with crabmeat and broiled) served with corn, potato and sausage. Still feeling Italian? He also makes lobster fra diavolo served on fettuccine.More info: 631-598-1150, sophiasbistro.com
TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY
Jordan Lobster Farm
1 Pettit Place, Island Park
COST $49.95-$59.95 through August; new prices to begin in October
Of course Jordan’s, Nassau’s Lobster Central, has a slew of specials: On Tuesdays and Thursdays, lobster dinners (lobster, corn, coleslaw and fries) are $49.95 for a 2-pound lobster, $59.95 for a 2½-pound. On "Wild Wednesdays," dinner features lobsters weighing 5 to 8 pounds apiece; the price is $21.95 / pound. The specials pause for September, then reappear in October; the prices may be higher then due to market fluctuations.More info: 516-889-3314, jordanlobsterfarms.com
WEDNESDAY
Chachama Grill
655 Montauk Hwy., East Patchogue
COST$79 through Sept. 25
Elmer Rubio lends a chef’s touch to his lobster special, serving his 2-pounders with baked potatoes and grilled local corn (with ancho-chili butter). Start your meal with a baby-arugula-citrus salad and either steamed mussels or lobster bisque. After your lobster: a medley of sorbets plus coffee or tea.More info: 631-758-7640, chachamagrill.com
Primehouse
910 Franklin Ave., Garden City
COST $79 through Sept. 25
This modern steakhouse puts an upscale spin on the lobster dinner with a rotating list of starters that might include a spicy crab sushi roll, lobster bruschetta or a "BBLT" salad with candied bacon, burrata, tomatoes, arugula and balsamic. Two-pound lobsters can be had steamed, stuffed (with lobster and crab) or butter-poached (served out of the shell). Seasonal vegetables are also included.More info: 516-416-4264, primehousegardencity.com
Volpe
7725 Jericho Tpke., Woodbury
COST $69 through Sept. 25
The restaurant at The Fox Hollow serves a 2-pound lobster steamed, broiled (add crabmeat stuffing for $14) or fra diavolo. It comes with a baked potato and corn on the cob and is preceded by your choice of soup, mussels, a wedge or a Caesar salad. Weather permitting, there’s also outdoor dining and live music.More info: 516-921-1415, thefoxhollow.com/the-volpe
THURSDAY
Ruvo
63 Broadway, Greenlawn, 631-261-7700
105 Wynn Lane, Port Jefferson, 631-476-3800
COST $40 through Sept. 26
Both Ruvos (as well as sister restaurantNOCO in St. James)devote Thursday nights to lobster. Your 1½-pound lobster comes steamed with corn on the cob and seasoned potato wedges. Not up for the challenge? There’s lobster gratin ($28), lobster linguine ($33), lobster ravioli fra diavolo ($30) or broiled lobster tails and shrimp scampi over basil risotto ($38).More info:ruvorestaurant.com
Piccolo Mondo
1870 E. Jericho Tpke., Huntington
COST $45 through Oct. 3
The deal here is short and sweet — a 2-pound lobster steamed or broiled oreganata-style — plus corn on the cob and a baked potato. But the lobster is perfectly done and the service can’t be beat. Most Thursday nights, the dining room at Piccolo’s is chock full of lobster-eaters; make sure you call ahead.More info: 631-462-0718, piccolomondoli.com
EVERY NIGHT OF THE WEEK
Frank’s Steak
54 Lincoln Ave., Rockville Centre
COST $70
Offer ends: Sept. 1
Most lobster specials are offered on weekdays, when restaurants are trying to get people in the door. But Frank’s runs seven days a week. Your steamed 2-pound lobster comes with corn on the cob and either a Caesar or a Frank’s salad.More info: 516-536-1500, frankssteaks.com
By Erica Marcus
erica.marcus@newsday.com
Erica Marcus, a passionate but skeptical omnivore, has been reporting and opining on the Long Island food scene since 1998.
