Lobster: The Poor Man's Dish?

"The World Is My Lobster" - Henry J. Tillman

The food of the rich. The food associated with the upper echelon of Kennebunkport, ME, Nantucket, Cape Cod, and the eastern seaboard. The dish in which some of your parents splurged on when there was a special event. The dish that is set as M.P. (market price) in restaurants - and that scares most eaters from ordering.

Not anymore.

My mom called me last week and asked what I was doing on Saturday. I knew that I was going to be in Boston for a very busy day of venue shopping for my fiancee and my wedding. She wanted to see if I wanted to come home afterward in CT, and enjoy a good meal with good friends. Immediately, my interest was peaked like a dog hearing a doorbell.

"We are going to have lobster" my mom spouted. "Lobster? Mom! With 7 diners, with wine, corn, bread and salad, that's too much!"

"Don't worry" she said, "you can help me pay for it....hahaha.".

"Done deal - you got yourself an buyer!" I was so excited. A great night (weather about 70 degrees, no humidity) and a few cocktails, Jimmy Buffet on the iPod and a night of crackin' and lip smackin' ahead.

We arrived to my house after a very long day. I immediately threw on Buffet and poured myself one of my favorite Mount Gay drinks.

What are we serving tonight? Lobster or...lobster?

I sat down and thought that I wanted to get the debt settled before I forgot.

"Mom, how much do I owe you?"

"Nothing."

"Bulls-it. How much?"

"Nothing...the lobsters were $4.99/lb."

$4.99 a pound.

$4.99 a pound....wait...what? I blacked out for a second. Almost cheaper than gas - 1 year ago.

Amazing...there is some silver lining in the cloud of recession. I was speechless...and very excited. This article I found after the dinner explains why this is happening. You, the reader should really think twice about serving that steak at your next BBQ. Stick with lobster...you will save money, and your guests will think you're king.

I told my fiancee that we have to goto The Lobster Trap on ACK and see how much the M.P. is over there. And then chow down.

A great night with good friends, good food, good grog and hardly breaking the bank. This is textbook definition of a Fancy Funloving Foodie's dream night.

Cheers and get crackin'!