A Taste of Maine

Tucked away in a tiny spot on East 7th street, a new haven for lovers of Maine has arrived. Luke's Lobster is small and simple: it serves fresh lobster, shrimp and crab rolls, straight from Maine. And that's it. There are a few stools and you can get a root beer and a pickle if you'd like, but otherwise the place is really about the lobster, and by that I mean fresh lobster from Maine.

Luke grew up near Portland, ME, and his father owns a seafood business up there. This helped him get the right connections to make his restaurant happen - the shellfish are steamed right away after being unloaded from the dock, and then transported safely to New York and right into the lobster rolls that they serve up at Luke's. A mini roll costs $8 and a big guy $14 - extremely reasonable for fresh Maine lobster rolls in the city.

The rolls stay away from too much mayo or seasoning, and are top-loaded into a buttered and toasted bun. I had my first bite of Luke's Lobster at the New Amsterdam Market a few weeks ago, where we were able to meet the famed Luke. I practically ran to the East Village for more. And let me tell you, do not let the approaching winter deter your lobster craving - the taste of summers in Maine was the perfect antidote to last night's chilly New York air.

For more information, visit www.lukeslobster.com. Luke's Lobster is located on East 7th Street between 1st avenue and Avenue A.