A new seafood restaurant in landlocked Cincinnati. (Well, landlocked in that the lobster probably isn’t fresh caught from the Ohio.) I felt similarly when The Anchor opened, but was pleasantly surprised by its fresh, delicious quality. The same can be said for Court Street Lobster Bar, a New England-style lobster shack located at 28 W Court Street in the Central Business District that “serves fresh, sustainable seafood and high quality libations.”
BK and I had our first tryst with Court Street in the company of a couple of friends of ours, who we met after work on a Monday evening (yes, a new downtown restaurant open on a Monday!). We walked in to this adorably minimal space and decided to share Duck Fat Fingerling Potatoes (garlic, shallots, gribiche dipping sauce), a Connecticut-style Lobster Roll (1/4 pound Maine lobster, hot seasoned clarified butter, wacky pea tendril), Lobster Mac N’ Cheese (with five-cheese sauce), and a Whoopie Pie. (When in the Faux-Northeast, right?) Our dinnermates ordered the special, a BLT roll (bacon, lobster, and tomato), and lobster bisque — both of which looked great. Did I mention there was counter service?
All rolls are served on custom-made Sixteen Bricks challah buns and, while the bread was delicious, I have to say that maybe lobster rolls aren’t for me. In the couple of times I’ve had them, I really like them for the first two bites, but ultimately they are a bit rich for my palate. I’m thankful that BK and I shared ours for that reason. I will say, though, that the Lobster Mac N’ Cheese was outstanding. I like my mac to be properly cheesy and that it was. Dare I say it’s up there with the best mac and cheese in the city? It was awesome.
The Duck Fat Fingerling Potatoes were good — appropriately garlicky and I liked the gribiche dipping sauce. (I’m not going to pretend I knew what that was. I had to Google it, too.) I’d love to go back and try some combination of the Lobster Bisque, Charred Corn Chowder, Crab Roll, and maybe even the Chicken Salad Roll. And next time I get Lobster Mac N’ Cheese, I’m not sharing it. (Sorry, BK.)
It’s not a cheap restaurant. (Given this lobster is regularly flown in from out of state, I’d be concerned if a lobster roll was much cheaper than $18.) But it doesn’t have to break the bank, either. Go with a friend and split a few appetizers and get a cocktail.
Follow Court Street Lobster Bar on Instagram and Facebook.
Location
28 W Court Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Hours
Monday–Wednesday, 10:30am–10pm
Thursday–Saturday, 10:30am–12am
Sunday, Closed
Parking
Street and lots nearby
Other notes
No reservations
Featured image [clockwise from top left]: Duck Fat Fingerling Potatoes, Lobster BLT, Lobster Mac N’ Cheese, my Nikon that accompanies me on all my adventures, and Connecticut-style Lobster Roll.
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