Bad Food Day Rant

Today's my birthday. And it is also the day we go to the doc to check on the baby my newly-pregnant wife is putting together.

I'm not having a party. Winter birthdays in the middle of the week suck.

But I tell my wife that for lunch I would like the sandwich I've wanted to try for a year--Fox & Obel's lobster club. I probably fantasize about this sandwich every few weeks while still managing not to have one despite the fact that my wife works 1 block away.

But today's the day!

Still, age has taught me to verify things and save myself some frustration so I call. Guess what? No more lobster clubs. They are off the menu. I'm told that the whole menu's changed. This, despite the fact that online they still show a huge picture of one. But they don't show it on the menu.

No problem. I mean age has also taught me flexibility, right? I find out so late about the F&O sandwich situation that I decide we'll just go to Szechuan House off Michigan Ave. for the lunch buffet--we're a little pressed for time. It's no lobster club, but it's pretty good and it's been a pretty long time since I've had it.

Apparently, Szechuan House is out of business. I didn't even see a sign showing a new address.

Sigh.

Wait! I know! Lately I've been having a rare hankering for crabcakes, and, unlike the wife, I've never had them in Maryland so my standards aren't very high.


And I seem to recall having them 10-15 years ago at PJ Clarke's off Rush. Don't know why I was in PJ Clarke's or why I ended up eating crabcakes there, but I remember thinking they were pretty good. And there's a PJ Clarke's right up the street from F&O's!

The wife looks dubious. She suggests we just go to Shaw's Crab House. But there's no time! And there's no need! Shaw's or PJ Clarke's--what difference does it make?

Good Lord. I guess I should have know that $12.00 for two 3-ounce crabcakes was going to net me a lot more cake than crab, but man. I don't think there could have been less crab in there. It was like someone slapped a biscuit a glancing blow with a stick of of surimi, this crabcake!

Now I won't blame this on PJ Clarke's, because what genius looks upon a bar food joint as a crabcake destination? Seemed like a great place to meet friends for a beer and a burger. Of course, I told the wife the crabcakes were delicious.

When we got to the doctor's office, she told us that the baby is doing great. She even let us listen to its heartbeat. It was beating a baby-normal 160 beats per minute. I jokingly suggested that the baby was probably trying to get away from the crabcakes.

But they didn't get it.

Try the lobster roll at Scylla.

(joking, of course - but it would be an opportunity to continue your bad food day)

nr706 wrote:Try the lobster roll at Scylla.

Scylla closed last summer. Chef Izzard is now competing on Top Chef.

You can find recommendations for the best crab cakes here.

chrislrob wrote: I don't think there could have been less crab in there. It was like someone slapped a biscuit a glancing blow with a stick of of surimi, this crabcake!

Another banner quote in my book! LMAO

...and, happy birthday, chrislrob!

I'm sorry you had a terrible food day, on your birthday no less
Maybe over the weekend you can celebrate by making some lobster rolls at home?
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/235566

nsxtasy wrote:

nr706 wrote:Try the lobster roll at Scylla.

Scylla closed last summer. Chef Izzard is now competing on Top Chef.

You can find recommendations for the best crab cakes here.

I'm pretty sure that suggestion was a joke

The thing to order at Shaw's (downtown only) is the Lobster Roll. And Martinis.

chrislrob wrote:Guess what? No more [Fox & Obel] lobster clubs. They are off the menu.

This is miserable news.

Thanks a lot.

Thanks for the birthday wishes. I'll try Shaw's lobster roll. Thanks for all of the advice. And maybe their crabcake, too.

Try the lobster roll at Scylla.

I liked it, Tom.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.p ... +did+there

chrislrob wrote:Guess what? No more lobster clubs. They are off the menu.

Guess what? Fox & Obel's lobster club is back on the menu!

And it's $19.

Tasty as ever and easily enough for two.

But... $19!!!

cilantro wrote:

chrislrob wrote:Guess what? No more lobster clubs. They are off the menu.

Guess what? Fox & Obel's lobster club is back on the menu!

And it's $19.

Tasty as ever and easily enough for two.

But... $19!!!

I don't eat animals, but I remember this sandwich being chock full of lobster meat. If that's correct , it is F & O (best grocer around to sit & have a bite), I don't think the price is bad, especially if it is easily enough for 2.