Lobster Rumble rolls across the Country, hosted by Tasting Table

Local Mission Market rolls before being sliced into more manageable portions

Tasting Table’s Lobster Rumble fundraiser/tasting event rolls across the country, and recently rolled into Northern California. Its stop was San Francisco’s Fort Mason Conference Center, and the event was packed with wine, beer, cars, and of course lobster. The lobster was prepared by a variety of local restaurants, each of whom competed for attendee votes to determine whose lobster roll was the best.

The participants included:

Jack’s Oyster Bar & Fish House (serving up Maine lobster on a housemade pretzel bun with tarragon butter and hollandaise)
Local Mission Market
Anchor & Hope
Willi’s Seafood and Raw Bar
Old Port Lobster Shack
Waterbar (who had a non-stop line all night)
Frank’s Oyster House & Champagne Parlor (Seattle)
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company

To wash it down Santa Margherita Chianti and Pinot Grigio wine as well as Prosecco were served, along with cocktails, Coco Cola Life, and a variety of Stella Artois beers (with collectible glasses).

Desserts were also served, including ice cream from Humphry Slocombe and cinammon rolls from Biscuit Bender.

All of the lobster rolls were delicious, but if you are interested in the winner, here is the official statement:

The Old Port Lobster Shack took home the coveted “Golden Claw” last night at the Tasting Table’s “Lobster Roll Rumble” for the best lobster roll among 9 contenders, held at Fort Mason in the Marina.

The Old Port Lobster Shack’s crew served up more than 600 of their signature “lobstah rolls” with their classic New England presentation of a pickle, alongside of their crunchy coleslaw, another favorite.

Attorney “Greg” from last night’s event explains why Old Port’s lobster roll is his favorite. “They let the Maine lobster roll speak for itself, by keeping it the true star of the dining experience and don’t mess it up by adding a bunch of ingredients except for the grilled New England top loading bun in butter.”

The Deutsches are a husband and wife team who introduced authentic East Coast style seafood to Bay Area lobster lovers in 2007, giving New England transplants the food they had been craving and introduced lobster rolls to Californians who were unfamiliar. “After my first Red Sox game in Oakland and being surrounded by all the East Coast fans, I knew I was on to something,” said Russell Deutsch.

With three “Shacks” in the Bay Area (851 Veterans Boulevard), Portola Valley (3130 Alpine Road) and San Jose (Westfield Valley Mall/Fair Dining Terrace), these casual, family friendly, order-at-the-counter joints are the perfect balance of impeccably fresh seafood in a no fuss atmosphere.