The Lobster Reviews
Reviews from Citysearch
Overall Rating
- It's not the tourist trap you might think it is
Read More On Citysearch by nokeslaw at Citysearch 5/4/2011 - This restaurant change my mind about sea food
Read More On Citysearch by Jasime at Citysearch 1/16/2011 - Great place
Read More On Citysearch mikelabella 8/31/2010 - Great Place!
Read More On Citysearch by Melissa L at Insider Pages 8/31/2010 - Excellent Venue for Special Occasions
Read More On Citysearch JADKC 8/6/2010 - Overall Great Place
Read More On Citysearch hallkhloe 5/27/2010 - Can't wait until the next time.
Read More On Citysearch Citysearch User 3/20/2010 - Pricey but good
Read More On Citysearch by jlai197 at Menuism 2/22/2010 - Luscious Lobster
Read More On Citysearch by PaulaF at Menuism 2/3/2010 - Beautiful view, good ambienceFood was good and the views of the sunset awesome. The ambience was great and so was the crowd.
Read More On Citysearch sasha felix 9/24/2009 - Great food!Love this place.
Read More On Citysearch Hamish90 7/27/2009 - Great Atmosphere, Moderate FoodThe atmosphere is great- at the base of the Santa Monica pier, overlooking the ocean. The scene is very Santa Monica trendy. You do pay for the view.
Went for DineLA, and they were out of Lobster! Terrible.
Service was really poor. I understand that it was a crowded Friday night, but at the prices you typically pay at that place, that's not an excuse.
Read More On Citysearch EconomicArmageddon 2/2/2009 - I've been many times- always a great experience!I'll start of by declaring that I'm a jaded West LA native who spends most of my dinners at restaurants, and comes from a family of European chefs. I initially passed off The Lobster as a tourist trap with a beautiful view...then 3 years ago, fate would have it that my boyfriend wanted to check it out. Upon entering without a reservation, we waited and got a great table with an ocean view (on a S...
Read More On Citysearch BrigitteTols 1/11/2009 - Great view, good food but your going to pay for itIt sits right at the base of the Santa Monica Pier with fabulos views of the pier and the ocean beyond. It has it's own valet parking, (not a small thing in hard to park Santa Monica), a bar with a great view and pretty good food. But it is expensive. A great place to bring a date you want to impress.
Read More On Citysearch Citysearch User 1/9/2009 - SO-SO SERVICE MAKES THE MEAL UNREMARKABLE
First and foremost, I like The Lobster, just not the same way anymore. Probably will happily never return or at least never book a reservation again. If it is logistically convenient to walk in and have a drink or bite to eat at the bar that will be fine. If it is unavailable, no problem, many other restaurants work hard to earn your patronage. We booked a dinner last night for 2 and I notified t...
Read More On Citysearch LondonLeslie 11/30/2008 - Great view, good foodI went here for my bday and the food was very good. I'd the scallops and they're just delicious, and the fish was just really good. I loved the view even tough we did not get to sit at the window like I requested because we're 20 minutes late. My fav part was the chimichurri w the bread it was just delicious, I never expected chimichurri in a place like this, and it was totaly delicious. Plan 2 b...
Read More On Citysearch krznlv 11/6/2008 - my reviewmy review here my review heremy review here my review heremy review herev my review here my review here
Read More On Citysearch clementine23 11/3/2008 - Awesome. Enough said.Absolutely Fantastic! After a horrible experience at Tengu, "The Lobster" saved the day. I had a great time at this restaurant and the staff were just FANTASTIC! I loved it, and I look forward to coming back again.
Read More On Citysearch alohakashiwa 9/20/2008 - Awesome. Enough said.Absolutely Fantastic! After a horrible experience at Tengu, "The Lobster" saved the day. I had a great time at this restaurant and the staff are just FANTASTIC! I love it and I look forward to coming back again.
Read More On Citysearch alohakashiwa 9/20/2008 - Great drinks!We stopped by this place out of curiousity. We'd heard about it through many acquaintances and had recently read about their delicious Bloody Mary drink. Well, the drink was delicious.. not the best i've ever had, but delicious nevertheless. My hubby had a mojito and wasn't too impressed, so he had a beer after that. We both ordered oysters as appetizers (unimpressive presentation), and after tal...
Read More On Citysearch seamonkey74 9/15/2008 - Good food and location, not friendly waitersI am glad that I read reviews on citysearch prior to going there for a dinner. Overall experience was nice but the service, as some have complained before, wasn't great. Our waiter did not introduce himself by his name, he didn't feel bad about arguing with the member of our party when we complained about the portion size ( it looked as if one of us got the meal that was much smaller than the res...
Read More On Citysearch Angelino080808 8/15/2008 - Beautiful place - perfect for a special occasion!This is literally on the beach at Santa Monica, at the foot of the pier, so it's great for dinner, or even just drinks at the bar. The service was excellent, as was the food. Okay, so this isn't the cheapest place, but it's certainly value for money, and the views from those bay windows are priceless! And the food is worth it - even the salad and bread rolls were first class! I was also thinking ...
Read More On Citysearch Jenna1070899 8/14/2008 - Pleasant place to people-watch on the PierCame here for drinks on a Friday evening. The rock music was a little loud and the place was quite dark inside, but my drinks were mixed well, and it was cool to people-watch Pier visitors on the patio. Plus, there was a little place to play pool at the back of the restaurant. Overall, it was nice to find a more relaxed, casual bar not far from the Promenade.
Read More On Citysearch jenheidir 7/29/2008 - Romantic View!!Romantic restaurant with a great view of Santa Monica Pier, the beach and beautiful Santa Monica Mountains to the West along the coast of Malibu. A bit touristy and overpriced for what you get. Been here twice now and found some items on the menu to be creative and delicious, others not so good and way too overpriced. Avoid the pan roasted Lobster with Jack Daniels sauce. Burned, tastless & y...
Read More On Citysearch califsunlover 7/28/2008 - Great Location, Fair and Good FoodMy husband and I ventured to the Lobster on the 4th of July and we were delighted to have a table at the window overlooking the Santa Monica Pier. We had the dungeness Crab ?Louis? Cocktail and it was delicious for an appetizer along with the Steamed Manila Clams & Black Mussels soup that was good but not great and had much less lobster and clams than the one shown in the picture on the menu pag...
Read More On Citysearch Annalisa00 7/4/2008 - Overrated, Snooty ServiceI've heard about The Lobster ever since I moved to Santa Monica and finally decided to try it with my fiance. I will say that the location is great being so close to the Pier and the food is good. My main complaint is how extremely LA it is. When we were escorted to our table there was an open booth available but instead we got the worst possible table in the entire restaurant right next to the ...
Read More On Citysearch snoop2nuts 7/2/2008 - Depends on what you're looking forFirst of all, this restaurant has great views of the pier and is great for a quiet and romantic meal. However, if you go here for lobster and you know what good lobster tastes like, you may be a bit disappointed. Coming from the east coast, my family frequently travels to Maine on vacation and we are avid lobster eaters. I was hoping that this restaurant may satisfy my craving for that lobster...
Read More On Citysearch foodie114 5/22/2008 - lobsterFabulous location especially at sunset. The view from the pier is great! The lobster isn't bad either. Excellent strong drinks (though a bit pricey).
Read More On Citysearch Citysearch User 5/8/2008 - Great ViewThe Lobster has great sea food along with an even better view of the ocean and the Santa Monica pier. The view includes the interesting lights of the ferris wheel and roller coaster of Pacific Park in the evenings. The salads and fish dishes are very good. Also good mojitos and grilled artichoke.
Read More On Citysearch Citysearch User 5/3/2008 - Best seafood in townI had a great 30th birthday over the weekend, and we went to the Lobster to celebrate. We started with drinks at the bar..great fun staff, and then we had a wonderful table right along the window...it was amazing to see an unobstructed view of the pier and the ferris wheel at night!
We started with the Lobster pancakes and the Wild Halibut sashimi, and I must say they were marvelous! As for entr...
Read More On Citysearch surfer2 4/22/2008 - LOBSTER MADE US SICK!
Although I have been to The Lobster on several other occasions and liked it, the last time I went, it turned out to be a nightmare. My husband and I got terrible FOOD SICKNESS from the Lobster salad (on pancakes). My husband was the one who actually ordered the dish and it was really bad for him. I would not eat there again myself, and I would certainly not recommend the Lobster salad to anyone. ...
Read More On Citysearch Lily1981 4/21/2008 - Fantastic Seafood and Excellent ViewI had a chance to meet with and old high school friend for lunch and he suggested the Lobster. I was impressed with the food and good service and the view was excellent from the ocean front. The had a good wine selection as well.
Read More On Citysearch antonioferre 2/19/2008 - Excellent Customer Service and Fabulous Food!This is my new favorite spot! We went there on a Sunday night, with a 7:30 reservation. We were greeted by 2 very nice and friendly hosts. We were seated promptly, and given wonderful customer service throughout the entire evening. We had Prawns for an appetizer, which were fantastic. We had the Lobster Special ($51-a tiny bit overpriced for a small portion, but it tasted amazing), and the Chilea...
Read More On Citysearch sjsbrentwood 1/28/2008 - Not a Tourist TrapI was very skeptical. Given it's location, it doesn't even have to be good. But it was! Everything we had was fresh and great tasting. I expected gluey clam chowder but it was actually very thin and healthy. The crab cakes were good. We had a lovely fish, perfectly cooked. Wine list could use some work. Ditto on the stemware. Service was very nice. Tables right by the window in front are best.
Read More On Citysearch famousblueraincoat 11/13/2007 - really enjoyed it this time!It's been a few years since I've beent at The Lobster and I remembered an ok dinner for a high price. A friend took me there last Thursday evening and we had a great experience. They seated us really promptly and had an awesome table by the window. The food was great: he had the chowder to start and the halibut and I had the mushroom soup to start and the sole. We both enjoyed our meals -tast...
Read More On Citysearch d_ann 11/2/2007 - Always a Homerun!!I have been dining at The Lobster for eight years and cannot remember one bad experience. The bar scene is where it is at. There are always fun people at the bar that make the evening that much more memorable. When my parents come to town, the first thing they ask is when we are going to The Lobster. The food is great, the portions are generous, and the prices are reasonable. Don't feel you ...
Read More On Citysearch adriennev 10/13/2007 - Good food-- bad reservationsFirst the good: I think that the food at the Lobster is priced well for the quality and size. It has always arrived promptly, and I'm never dissapointed.
Now the bad: I have been here a few times, and I always make reservations on special occassions or weekends. If it's a special occassion, I ask if they can please put a note to get a table close to the water or atleast with a good view. They...
Read More On Citysearch newyorkdoll72 8/20/2007 - My absolute favorite restaurant because I LOVE lobster! ...
Read More On Citysearch by LisaTon at Menuism 8/16/2007 - Great Dining at the BeachWe just ate at the Lobster. Prior go going, I read the reviews and noticed that the food was usually highly rated, but the service was spotty. Well I can tell you that the food was exceptional, very creative for my wife's and my palates, plentiful and very tasty. The service was equally exceptional. Wait staff very attentive without being overbearing. My wife and I commented during the meal,...
Read More On Citysearch golfncpa 7/1/2007 - Great place to dineWent for my first time to this place last week. And it was a great experience. Great food and service.
Read More On Citysearch johnlee2323 6/25/2007 - The worst Restaurtant in Santa MonicaI took my boyfriend to the lobster for Father's Day and I made our reservations almost a month in advance to be able to be seated by the window. This was our first time at the lobster and I definitely won't be going back. My first complaint is we got seated by the kitchen where we had the pleasure of seeing all the waiters go in and out with peoples food. Second when I explained I requested a ta...
Read More On Citysearch seya 6/20/2007 - The best seafood restaurant in Los Angeles!Let me just say that I have been eating at the Lobster for 7 years and I have had the most wonderful food every time. How can you beat the Lobster? The staff is by far the friendliest in town they even address me by name every time I walk in the door and make be feel like family. Sitting watching the sun go down, eating a crab cocktail which is amazing and being treated like a queen, now come ...
Read More On Citysearch agreatmeal 6/4/2007 - Unbelieveable food with the nicest staff. And you can't beat the view!I've been going to the Lobster since it re-opened and have always found the menu to be intriguing and the food delicious. I'm a stickler when it comes to the preparation of seafood. So often the sauce is there to hide the low quality and overcooked entree. But Allison has found so many wonderful ways to highlight my favorites without losing the natural flavors of the scallops, the sea bass, th...
Read More On Citysearch slcann 5/24/2007 - Why?I visited The Lobster for the first time about two years ago and was pretty disappointed by the food. The waiter recommended something that was not to my liking. What made matters worse, I heard him talk the table behind us out of ordering the same dish. When I confronted him about it, he said he would comp our dessert. I just wanted a good meal. I didn?t care about dessert. Recently a frie...
Read More On Citysearch sheridanm1 5/21/2007 - The food and view were great; just try not to get offended by the server?s commentsThe table was not what I expected or requested especially after making a reservation weeks in advance but the food and the view was great. Kara our server was a little too helpful, when I was looking at the wine list she came over and made it a point to say that one side was their reds and the other their whites and when I joked that the names of the grapes gave it away she seemed to get offended...
Read More On Citysearch sigmaajk 4/30/2007 - Good food, great service & wonderful viewMy husband and I had a terrific meal here a few Friday nights ago. It's a bit crowded and noisy, but luckily, we were seated in the back corner of the restaurant and had a wonderful view of the Santa Monica Pier. Unfortunately, we had an 8:45PM reservation and were seated about 20 min late, so they had already run out of 2 of the lobster dishes and one of the fish dishes. However, the quality of ...
Read More On Citysearch cpkeebs 4/1/2007 - The Most Overrated Seafood Restaurant Ever.First, the menu was severely overpriced with a poor selection. I selected the sea bass because it was just about the only fish item and it was absolutely inedible, mushy and tasteless, I ate only half. The bread was hard and meager. I cannot understand why people give this restaurant such good reviews. I went to this restaurant with my boyfriend solely based on these reviews, and we were very...
Read More On Citysearch bluegirl1 3/31/2007 - Very Special PlaceThis is a great place, beautiful views and great food. Most important, the staff there is wonderful. We requested a window seat but none was available. When I mentioned it to the host, he apologized and explained that ?everybody requests a window seat?. We had just started our meal when he came back and said that a table just opened up and that we could move! I don?t EVER remember a restaura...
Read More On Citysearch 54904worldtraveler 3/19/2007 - The place for dry, overcooked seafoodIf you want a nice view of the pier and don't mind paying $30-50 apiece for dry, overcooked seafood (we had the spiny lobster, the Maine lobster, and halibut), then this is the place for you. Apparently the technique here is to cook the hell out of the lobsters (boil and broil) then cover them with sauces and mushy potatoes (that taste like they are from a mix) so that you don't have to actually ...
Read More On Citysearch grendelina 3/17/2007 - Great food, ambiance and serviceAs usual, this place was packed. I had the oysters, dungeness crab and arugula salad and the pan-roasted lobster. the oyster were fresh, the salad was amazing (lots of crab, not drenched in dressing, good texture with the pine nuts) and the lobster was great (how can a place called The Lobster mess up their sig. dish anyways). Highly recommended. When you make a reservation ask for a table wi...
Read More On Citysearch roolander 2/13/2007 - Love the Lobster cocktailI highly recommend the Lobster. Great location, Great View, Great Food. Try the Lobster Cocktail ... yummy! This is great for lunch or dinner. Be sure to make reservations.
Read More On Citysearch santam 1/27/2007 - Good food, Love it - but a little noisyI love this place. The food is wonderful - the view is nice and the service is great. Not for a quiet dinner, as it can be noisy.
Read More On Citysearch dr5183 1/22/2007 - Exceptional service, exciting menu, great vibe and an incredible viewOf all the restaurants in L.A., and all the places I love to eat, The Lobster is the one I insist on for my birthday every year! It is my first choice for any occasion my husband I want to celebrate with a special dinner. We made a reservation to celebrate our engagement and we were treated exceptionally well. Our waiter let us know that they had our table ready, but there would be a window tabl...
Read More On Citysearch malmed 1/12/2007 - Not Bad. Not as good as expected.Had dinner there tonight. Surprisingly, it was not crowded. Service was friendly. Crab cakes were high quality, lots of fresh crab. This may sound stupid, but I like crab cakes that are not almost only crab. The Chilean seabass was excellent, but the kobe beef was somewhat on the tough side. Maybe that's what you get for ordering beef at a seafood restaurant. Beautiful view of the ocean.
Read More On Citysearch chudjr 1/5/2007 - Beautiful Views & Yummy FoodI recently had lunch at the lobster and it was one of those days when everything is fabulous - the weather was phenomenal so we had a beautiful clear view of the ocean waves; the service was prompt and friendly; the bread and olive oil dip was delicious. My friend and I each had the lobster avocado salad - sweet morsels of lobster, crisp, fresh greens and ripe avocados - what could be better? W...
Read More On Citysearch martinikitty13 12/12/2006 - Two words:The Crapster.
Read More On Citysearch lagrafx 12/8/2006 - Beautiful!Great place for a couple of post-work drinks at sunset. We sat at the bar and shared a couple of appetizers (the calamari was awesome) and some very nicely mixed martinis, a couple glasses of wine. The bartenders were nice and entertaining, and the crowd was pretty friendly for it being such a 'destination' spot. I would definitely go back!
Read More On Citysearch smooph 11/16/2006 - beautiful viewthe food here is great, and the view is beautiful. it is a little cramped and not a lot of privacy. it's also a little pricey but a great place to go for a special night.
Read More On Citysearch lucky801 11/6/2006 - Best Lobster in LAThis place is elegant, sensual, and sophisticated. There isn't a better seafood restaurant in Los Angeles. The scenary is beautiful, serene, and watching the sunset from the restaurant as you put a mouth full of decadent lobster in your mouth is a sinful combination. If you are wanting to impress a date, there isn't a better place to do so...
Read More On Citysearch Elischa 11/3/2006 - Great view, friendly staff, good foodWe stopped at The Lobster for a late lunch and got seated right away. The mojitos were excellent and the food was good. However the best part about this place is its location. It is right on the water and has a great waterfront. Make reservations if you can because it gets crowded during rush hour.
Read More On Citysearch jenmempin 10/31/2006 - Best view in Santa MonicaAWESOME! I've been to this place a number of times and it's always delicious. Prices are what you'd expect and the service has actually been pretty good. Try the scallops...
Read More On Citysearch benbono 10/30/2006 - View is hard to beatThe good was great, servers nice and nice views! The restaurant is a bit small. Best for lunch in my opinion.
Read More On Citysearch jval36 10/26/2006 - Just greatMy wife and I were in Santa Barbara in August and ate at The Lobtser twice. Can not comment on crowds since both times we dined at off hours both times about 2 pm All though not empty it was not packed. Yes you will spend here but the food was exceptional and the 2.5lb marinated (olive oil and garlic) and then grilled lobster was a rare treat yes 75.00 but they happily split it so we could share ...
Read More On Citysearch mpalmieri47 10/21/2006 - Awsome view.... Great people watching ..... MarcyAwsome, the food and views are great, the service is what it is , could always be better !! I will go again when I am in LA!!
Read More On Citysearch montela 10/10/2006 - Nice seafood and hip restaurantWe two dined there on sep.8th at around 8:00, the wait was 1 hour for table, but no wait for bar; so we decide to seated at the bar since we were so hungry. We had crab cakes for appetizer ( which was really nice, especially the squid salad); seabass (very tender and juicy with smooth mashed potatoes), and red thai curry lobster ( it was too salty, even with bunch of vegetables and black rice). ...
Read More On Citysearch shinidapooh 9/11/2006 - Best LA SeafoodWe've been ready to give up on fresh seafood ... now, Lobster keeps the dream alive.
Treat yourselves and go here as much as possible.
The sauces are delicious, service is attentive, the wine list is high quality and your experince will only be good memories.
Read More On Citysearch hawaiixoxo 9/4/2006 - Perfect sea food , perfect location, perfect serviceThe best sea food restaurant in L.A It's so fresh sooo good. The service is very good and the restaurant is beautiful with an incredible view. Just be specific about where you would like to be seated when you make your reservation.
Read More On Citysearch glansky 8/26/2006 - I went here for my anniversaryIt's a great restaurant with a great view of the ocean only if you are seated next to the windows. It gets crowded fast and reservations is recommended. Our waiter was great and the staff was ok.
Read More On Citysearch missjunkie 8/23/2006 - Great viewI wanted to have lunch and look at the view and this was the perfect place. However it does have a small lunch menu mostly sea food. The prices are on the high end 18-26 per meal. The service was kind of slow because it was pretty packed. We got a nice seat outside that over looked the pier and the beach.
Read More On Citysearch Citysearch User 8/7/2006 - good food and very very expensiveI only ate here once. It is a very expensive place. The food is also top-notch. Still, I'm, a believer that when a restaurant charges a zillion dollars for lunch, everything must be flawless. I found the lobster a little too noisy and my waiter a bit too rushed to fit the bill.
PROS: Very fine food, great views
CONS: For the money, everything should be perfect.
Read More On Citysearch Citysearch User 8/7/2006 - OVER RATEDOCEANS DOWN THE STREET FAR BETTER THAN THIS PLACE. LOBSTER WAS TOUGH. TO CROWDED. WOULD NOT GO BACK.
Read More On Citysearch puggle 7/28/2006 - Not Worth the MoneyI went there for a date and was kept waiting a little longer than quoted, about 20 minutes past my reservation time. The food is good, but nothing great. The Crabcakes are real good, but nothing else is really worth it for the money you spend. My date and I had 2 glasses of wine, an appetizer and an entree and it was over $100. I was not impressed, but it was not great.
Read More On Citysearch scottykam 7/23/2006 - Truffle Frites and Mojitos!Where else can you go where the waves are in your ears, sunsets in your eyes, mojitos are flowing, and truffles frites are in your nose? Pretty much an all around sensory delight! And don't forget about the great bartenders, especially on Thursdays!!!!!
Read More On Citysearch mouseg9 7/20/2006 - BrilliantGreat Grub, Great People, lot of fun, Spectacular View. Great for all occasions, you can make it romantic or just a hip place to be with your mates, enjoying the delicious food, great ambience and fantastic view.
Read More On Citysearch ldunne 7/19/2006 - Great food, atmosphere, and service.Great place to come during the week or weekend. The view is awesome from wherever you are sitting - either soaking up the sun on the patio with cocktails and appetizers or sitting down to nice dinner in the restaurant. A great place to just people watch.
Read More On Citysearch kai78 7/19/2006 - Best overall dining experience with convenient location on the westsideThis is a fantastic place to take a date, special event, or just hang out and make friends at the bar. It has a wonderful atmosphere for any occasion and should the best overall pick, especially as the weather gets warmer. Give it a try if you haven't and don't listen to any envious food critics. Try it out for yourself, the food is great!!
Read More On Citysearch mr_paso 7/19/2006 - BooooIf you are from the East Coast, you know lobster....Santa Monica does not know lobster....especially at what they are charging...I dont mind playing for a good meal, but the 2 1/2 lb lobster was not worth 75 bucks...The calamari was chewy and disguised in fried-ness and the shrimp gazpacho was tastless..And the fantastic view? It's of the Pier!..I would never go back...I have to say I was really...
Read More On Citysearch lpalm10 7/17/2006 - This place hits the spotAs a first time diner I was a bit not sure what to expect..I thought this place would be a big tourist trap, but to my amazement and glee, this is one serious restaurant with a great view and food...the crab cake appt was the most amazing, the salads were fresh, especiall the dungeness crab with the blood oranges..and king crab, so juicy and sweet...My friend had the black bass and it was cooked ...
Read More On Citysearch trijones 4/4/2006 - For the price, minimally met expectationsThe restaurant was way too crowded, with our servers serving over me to get to my husband. People were friendly and service generally prompt, but the waiter seemed like he'd sell me just about any food or wine by claiming it was "great." Great crab cakes appetizer. The crab bisque was bland. The lobster was great (at $33 a pound, two pound minimum, it should be!). The John Dory fish was medi...
Read More On Citysearch jfnovak 3/8/2006 - greati am a huge seafood lover, so my boyfriend took me to the lobster on my last birthday. we didn't have reservations, so we expected a wait. what we didn't expect, however, was the fantastic service while we waited! the cocktail waitress was so nice and attentive, it made the time fly by. once seated, we dined on several delicious dishes--most notably, my scallops with lobster home fries. incr...
Read More On Citysearch bluelulu 2/19/2006 - What's all the hype about?Based upon several recommendations, on a mother-daughter trip to southern California, my mother and I decided to make reservations for our last night in town for a fun and delicious dinner... Boy were we in for a shock! The restaurant was noisy, crowded, and we should have just sat in our neighbors' laps because our tables were entirely too close for comfort. Our servers were curt and unknowled...
Read More On Citysearch nmhuynh 2/15/2006 - Surprisingly not a tourist trap!I called ahead (2 weeks) and requested a "view table", when we arrived (to celebrate an early Valentine's Day) we were lead to the best table in the house. Besides the unobstructed view of the lighted pier, we were surprised by reasonable prices (except lobster, which starts at 2lbs and goes up to 5lbs). We had lobster salad with corn pancakes and the crab/arugula salad followed by the scallops ...
Read More On Citysearch placecard 2/12/2006 - Thoroughly ImpressiveHave avoided this place at the SM Pier for a while, but boy was I missing out. After reading the great reviews I made an anniversary of it with the girlfriend recently and was extremely impressed. Crabcake starter was nearly flawless, dungenous crab salad was good and the scallops were absolutely complex and refined. Our service was fantastic - Thanks Richard! The only knock was the girlfrien...
Read More On Citysearch dubs_ucla 2/9/2006 - great placeI'm a vegetarian so I don't usually go to seafood restaurants. But a friend wanted to take his parents so I went along, figuring I could just get a salad and enjoy the view. We had reservations but arrived early and were seated right away. While we didnt have the best view as we weren't right by the windows, it was a good view none-the-less. The service was excellent - our waitress was very k...
Read More On Citysearch jmeisen 1/23/2006 - A great experience at The LobsterMy husband and I went to The Lobster for my 40th birthday dinner in November. It was our first time in California and we visited The Lobster at the beginning of our vacation. Everything was absolutely wonderful!!!! The hostess was extremely nice and we were promptly seated. The waiter was friendly and we received very good service throughout our meal. The food was excellent!!!! I could not ...
Read More On Citysearch hulens 12/9/2005 - What's not to like?If you're available for lunch, this is an excellent option -- although having dinner there is not too shabby either. The variety in their seafood are splendid, and there are plenty of styles of lobster dishes to choose from. The traditional steamed lobster is stellar, but there are some lively sandwich options, too.
Read More On Citysearch Citysearch User 11/24/2005 - Crab cakes are heavenly good!!!Loved this restaurant...crowded yes but also romantic and the view is breathtaking. As appetizer we had crab cakes and they are the best by far. The drinks were small but good, as entree try the jumbo shrimps or the grilled yellowtail with yummy risotto. if you make reservation ask for a table by the oceanside.
Read More On Citysearch patata0680 11/6/2005 - DeliciousI went here for dinner for an anniversary. We didn't have reservations but we were seated very quickly. The hostess was great and the waiter was great. Didn't take long for our food to arrive. The food was very good, no complaints. The only thing I didn't like was where we sat. The view was beautiful but it was a little too crowded, not quiet at all. It is great for a birthday dinner or out with...
Read More On Citysearch bllerenas 11/1/2005 - User review by stacylynneAfter reading all the great reviews of this restaurant I made reservations for my husband and I for our one-year anniversary. Upon checking in at the restaurant the hostess immediately wished us a happy anniversary and showed us to beautiful table by the window overlooking the Santa Monica Pier. My husband ordered the filet mignon and I ordered the crab cakes entree. Both dishes were delicious...
Read More On Citysearch stacylynne 10/21/2005 - Times when you're oh-so-happy you're an AngelenoYou can't beat the views from this light and airy restaurant that practically spills out into the ocean. The food was fantastic, and the wait staff was kind and attentive. The chocolate bread pudding with vanilla bean ice cream at the end was the ultimate cap to a lunch of indulgence. The grilled spiny lobster was fabulous. My friend and I enjoyed our lunch--we had no reservations and went on a l...
Read More On Citysearch manonb 10/14/2005 - A horrible disappointmentWe had a horrible experience here! Don't waste your time or money. It funny, after we went to the Lobster, we talked to a lot of people who thought this place was overrated...
What a disappointment after I read good reviews on Citysearch. It must be the management writing these good reviews.
Read More On Citysearch yumyum1 9/16/2005 - its goodI went to the Lobster for a birthday dinner. We ordered the crabcakes (best I've had so far), the crab bisque (very good), the pan fried lobster (very good) and a curried lobster dish (so- so). Overall the food was very good. Prices were definitely steep, but the overall experience was nice enough to want to come back on special occasions or once in awhile. The nighttime ocean view wasnt as im...
Read More On Citysearch winendine999 8/22/2005 - nice shopi love the lobster here too. fine dining, but you can dress casual. you got the ocean view. its right next to the beach. the place is very tight. you sit very close to the next person. it gets loud in there. the desserts are delicious.
Read More On Citysearch Citysearch User 8/2/2005 - Best Crabcake EverThanks to the waiter for pointing us in the right direction for what to order. Everything he recommended was outstanding and everything we ordered on our own was very average in comparison. The best was the crabcake - you can't go wrong. Thanks again!
Read More On Citysearch kater001 7/27/2005 - Fabulous food but average atmosphereI came there on a special occasion with my boyfriend. We had reservations so we were seated fairly quickly. As I passed through the bar/patio I got really nervous that it was just going to be another "trendy" bar/lounge. Their dining room is spacious, but like all California restaurants the ceilings are really high for some reason so you have to yell to have a conversation. The tables are also a ...
Read More On Citysearch yizhoudu 7/14/2005 - Good food, great locationThe Lobster sits right in front of the Santa Monica Pier. You can see the ferris wheel from the window. The John Dory fish and Kobe steak are delicious. A plate will cost you about 35 dollars. The house gave my boyfriend and I a free chocolate bread pudding when I mentioned that we've been dating for eight months. A a nice place to have appetizers and drinks with your girlfriends after a da...
Read More On Citysearch Citysearch User 7/14/2005 - Best dinner ever!My boyfriend and I came here on a friday for a 6:00 reservation. To begin, our server was AMAZING. He was so nice, so attentive, and knowledgeable about everything on the menu. The shrimp cocktail was the best shrimp I have ever tasted. I had the halibut but without the lobster sauce, which i dislike. It was presented to me without sauce and just a lemon wedge. It was still the best halibut thou...
Read More On Citysearch katieboo 6/25/2005 - What a perfect find!!I love the view from the restaurant. The food, people, environment was great. The service speaks for itself. The staff treats you like royalty. I can't wait until I come back to this restaurant.
Read More On Citysearch 1luvfinerthings 6/19/2005 - Great Restaurant!Great food, great service, great view. Very romantic. Have brought large parties and service was always excellent, and guests raved.
Read More On Citysearch Madelyn 6/15/2005 - A little piece of heavenWhat an amazing place. The best view on the westside, delicious food, wonderful warm friendly staff who treated us like goddesses! We are so glad we found this place. It is truly the place to go for me! Can't wait to tell my friends! I loved it!!!
Read More On Citysearch letsdance 5/27/2005 - The Lobster is always so good!I've been here a few times now. I've been on dates and had business lunches at The Lobster - its always so good! The location is amazing and the food is excellent. There's a lot more to their menu than just Seafood also. I will be back again.
Read More On Citysearch westside1414 5/27/2005 - Worth the trip!A friend recommended the Lobster to us and we are glad we took his advice. What a terrific restaurant. I have the Halibut and it was the best piece of fish I have ever had. My girlfriend had the Lobster and loved it! We also had the Mojitos and they were so good. How can you go wrong with the view and the food at this place. We sat on the patio and watched the sun go down and really enjoyed...
Read More On Citysearch onefromtheheart 5/27/2005 - nice place but overratedI feel bad giving this only 2 stars because it isn't a bad place. Great location on the pier in Santa Monica, and the food is good. There isn't a whole lot of selection or variety to the menu, however, and the prices are high. For that kind of money, I expected... more.
Read More On Citysearch Citysearch User 5/18/2005 - the worst service and attitude problemsI've heard about the lobster through people and advertisements. my fiance and decided to try out the restaurant and to see if we would like to have a rehearsal dinner for 40 people. When we walked to the reservationist desk, we were totally ignored by the person at the desk. Finally we were able to get the person's attention, he rudely brushed us off and strike a conversation with "important peop...
Read More On Citysearch steelblade100 5/9/2005 - Great MealThe food is delicious. It lived up to all expectations---very well-prepared and tasty. I would definitely go back.
Read More On Citysearch samanthacat 4/27/2005 - Great Food - Great View!I've been here numerous times and everytime it seems to get better. Great place to have drinks and watch the sunset and the food is superb!
Read More On Citysearch mknLA 3/25/2005 - A Complete 180 - Updated from 03/12/2005 ReviewA good friend from college recently moved out to the area, giving me a great excuse to go back to the Santa Monica area. When we sat down to decide where to go to dinner, she instantly suggested The Lobster. Having had a bad experience (see 3/12/05 review), I was a little reluctant, but she convinced me to try it again. I am SO glad that we went back!!! Our waiter, Claus, made amazing appetiz...
Read More On Citysearch nicoco184 3/12/2005 - Not a tourist spotI thought it was some kind of tourist trap. But no. It's a really cool place with a trendy scene and up-scale guests that makes this a good bar scene place as well as a good place for food - not only seafood actually. Great wine list as well. The service is good, although not that personal. No suprises here and you get what you pay for. I suppose I will go here with my wife. She will like it. Or ...
Read More On Citysearch d_fens 3/12/2005 - Great scallopsBusy Saturday night, so service was slow. The waiter automatically asked us if we wanted bottled water. Avoid that...it adds $$ to your bill.
The lobster was just lobster. The scallops however, were fantastic! The ahi carpaccio was equally as wonderful.
Great place, but the tables are uncomfortably close to each other.
Read More On Citysearch tattud_gurl 9/23/2004 - FabulousFabulous restaurant, great food, beautiful view, terrific service. waitpeople are polite as are the hosts.
Read More On Citysearch madelynrosen 5/20/2004 - best fooda very fine dining experience. for our family, the standard of great food and service by which all others will be judged
Read More On Citysearch davidmendes 3/12/2004 - Love itI cannot stop raving about this place..it is fun, the food id great and the service is excellent....when at the beach..the Lobster is a must
Read More On Citysearch katta2 2/6/2004 - great every time we goMy husband and I really enjoy this place every time we go. The food is dynamite and the wine selection excellent. Yes, it's crowded, but I frequent NY restaurants so it wasn't a big deal. The crab dip is AWESOME. We also didn't have a reso, but got a bottle of wine and sat outside to wait. really nice.
Read More On Citysearch millercy 11/12/2003 - It was okay, but willing to try againGranted, the lobster was delicious. However, they could offer a side dish along with it like they do on other items on the menu. Additionally, the table we were seated was sooooo close to the ones on either side of us that we 1) were knew all of the other table's conversation without wanting to and vice versa and 2) you felt crowded in like a sardine. If you do make reservations, request a booth ...
Read More On Citysearch pcline 10/29/2003 - Great views!This is a great place for visitors! The view is awesome, probably the best in the area! In my opinion, it is a little over-rated. I've had better, but it's still worth going to. Buttom line, it's a great place to take a visitor or a date, but not a good place to go back over and over. It'll add up!
Read More On Citysearch pikachu 8/29/2003 - The owners...Down to earth people -at least Dr. Nathan was- very considerate and helpful all around... Great view and cool bar! definitely a place to visit ANY time you are in Santa Monica...
Read More On Citysearch eltiburon 8/15/2003 - GREAT PLACEnOT REALLY SURE WHAT A FEW PEOPLE ARE SAYING..THE LOBSTER WAS SWEET AND JUICY, AND MY SERVISCE WAS EXCELLENT..i LOVE THIS PLACE AND CAN'T WAIT TO COME BACK
Read More On Citysearch MARK 5/28/2003 - the Bottom of the TopThe Lobster is a great dining experience, provided that you and your guests bring the right tools. What tools you say, a miner helmet is required, if, and only if, you would like to actually see the food placed in front of you.
Their reasoning is that their other guests prefer to see the beach, city lights and the stars above, not what they are going to eat, so only venture there with that in m...
Read More On Citysearch wmjrjacobs 1/29/2003 - Great SeafoodThis place really does have great seafood. Everything is fresh and full of flavor. The chef really has his act together. The service was very attentive.
Read More On Citysearch omphalos 12/13/2002 - great at sunsetIf you get a good table, it is wonderful. A bad table and it is hell. Just don't let them give you a bad one, like the table in the far southwest corner.
If you cna go at sunset or even just go to the bar at sunset, it is spectacular.
Read More On Citysearch highermath 12/10/2002 - Lobster BlissThis was the best meal I have had in L.A. thus far: from the amazing mid-afternoon/sunset view, to the warm-service, to the food. I went with a girlfriend of mine and we asked to split the Lobster Chowder, after that the waitress offered to split all of our orders, so we ended up having a four-course meal. the appatizers were good. However, the main courses are where we found our bliss. First we ...
Read More On Citysearch K8idid 11/24/2002 - over ratedGreat view. Everything else....over rated. Over priced decent food. Service below average. Great view.
Read More On Citysearch barinek 11/22/2002 - LobsterThe seafood here is GREAT - but other dishes (appetizers, salads, desserts, etc.) leave a lot to be desired and are quite over-priced for what you get. However, the fish is amazing, and the view is spectacular. Service can be a little snobby and pushy.
Read More On Citysearch Sabella 11/15/2002 - Martini HeavenThe food is good, not great. But they make the best martini in LA. Its called the executive martinni and it comes with blue cheese stuffed olives. A must for any true martini lover
Read More On Citysearch guru35 11/1/2002 - OVERRATEDThe Lobster is very much overrated. Yes, the panoramic view is nice, but when you ask for marinanra sauce for your fried calamari, and they give you ketchup...well that says enough.
The lobster itself was a bit rubbery to say the least, and to pay that much for bad lobster and fried calamari with ketchup is absurd.
Read More On Citysearch moose34 10/21/2002 - o.kdoesn't compare to capo or melissee. good food nice view, pushy service. I would go back, but its far from a dining experience like capo or melisse. Great location though. Nice sunsets.
Read More On Citysearch mattyg89 8/31/2002 - succulentMy husband and I dined at The Lobster on our wedding night. The service was unbelievable and the view, not to mention the fantastic food, was just perfect and helped to make our special night that much more memorable! Thanks Lauren!
Read More On Citysearch vickybreitman 7/29/2002 - Great place to watch the sunsetIf you are looking for a fun place to watch the sunset, don't think twice about making a reservation for this great restaurant. I would recommend making a reservation and asking for a window seat if possible.
Also, arrive early so you can enjoy a glass of wine from the patio before sitting down for an excellent dinner. I recommend the half lobster!!!
Read More On Citysearch dturner 7/26/2002 - 9Delicious meals and a Romantic Sunset Setting make this the place to celebrate that special occassion.
Read More On Citysearch johnklink 7/25/2002 - Nice viewThe Lobster is a wonderful place right on the Santa Monica Pier. The view of the beach is great, esp. if you sit in the outside dining. The food here is just as good. And they have an extensive drink menu. Try the Lobster Mai Tai.
Read More On Citysearch diane02 7/10/2002 - Drinks with a ViewMy husband and I had dinner at the Lobster, on Friday. We did not have a reservation, but the 1 1/2 hr wait was worth it, because of the WONDERFUL View. We sat in the outdoor patio, had drinks, ate steamed clams and people watched. When we finnally were seated we ordered a shrimp and a scallop dish. They were both good, but the portions were not that big. The service was friendly and we would...
Read More On Citysearch yveTTE 7/1/2002 - 8.5the best lobsters in town, hands down. a good view only at night. the bar is fun with a classy westside crowd. great place for a sat afternoon drink and a bite.
Read More On Citysearch pknla 6/28/2002 - Geat Food & View!Looking for a place to go to watch the sunset? This place is a must! Amazing food!
Read More On Citysearch nkm 6/27/2002 - The Place to eat in Santa MonicaIf you are with your family, friends, or on a date The Lobster is hands down the best place have dinner or drinks watching the sun go down. Beside great lobster the shrimp Louie is one of the best salads I've ever had. They have done an excellenct job with their staff who takes care of you the minute you arrive. They truly set the standard for restuarants to follow.
Read More On Citysearch bp12 6/16/2002 - Great Lobster, View & ServiceWent to the lobster one night with co-workers. Had a nice time in the bar and then sat down to the best lobster dinner that I've ever had. Outstanding! On top of that, the serivce and views are very tough to beat. The Lobster is at the top of my list for favorite spots and is definitely #1 for lobster and from what I saw and tasted- the seafood too.
Read More On Citysearch mark 6/13/2002 - 10The friendliest restaurant in town with the best food and the most incredible view of the ocean. Need I say more?
Read More On Citysearch happygirl 6/11/2002 - Best Lobster EverI have eaten lobster in Maine, Florida, and the Carribbean, and this place has the best lobster I have ever had! It was cooked perfectly! The service was also superb. Our server was experienced, friendly, and knowledgeable of the menu! Did I mention how beautiful the sunset was? I highly recommend this place! It is truly top of the line and very romantic!
Read More On Citysearch sunsoul3 6/5/2002 - Gone fishin'Finally--an fine dining establishment in LA without the attitude! the friendly staff at the Lobster graciously welcomes you, no matter who you are. Always a hot spot for dining and power lunches, the Lobster happens to have one of the most hoppin' happy hours in town. Lose yourself somewhere between lunch and sunset without feeling guilty (we did!). The Lobster Bloody Mary comes adorned with ...
Read More On Citysearch LisaGlasser 6/4/2002 - Best View in LAThe best view in LA, especially at sunset an absolute must! I have experienced the food here many times and yet to be disappointed.
Order any of the lobster offerings on the menu for a sure bet. The staff is very well-trained, our server Lauren recommended the perfect wine with our meal and provided outstanding service on a very busy evening.
We are regulars to The Lobster and will continue...
Read More On Citysearch KenSouthall 5/22/2002 - Yum!Loved The Lobster. The steak was to die for & the desserts are delicous. Add the view & you've got the best place in Santa Monica!
Read More On Citysearch amyg 5/20/2002
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