Reviews & Ratings for The Lobster

04/25/12

This is a Santa Monica staple located

by Nicole Carbon

This is a Santa Monica staple located at the Pier with excellent service. Come for happy hour with $6 cocktails and discounted food items.

02/13/12

The first and last time I'll eat at LOBSTER................

by ninaone1

It was my wife's birthday and we had talked about having lobster so I surprised her and made a reservation at LOBSTER in Santa Monica. What a disappointment!

To begin, the service at the front desk was only fair. Why? Our reservation was for 7:15 and we arrived at 7PM. There is a lovely seating area in the reception area where we could have comfortably waited to be escorted to our table yet we were hustled to the crowded bar and told to "have a drink." People like choices. Suggest the seating area for 15 minutes OR the bar. We were 15 minutes early, not 45 -- must we be hustled for drinks when we would have been quite comfortable seated on the sofa than crushed at the bar?

After 15 minutes at the crowded bar where we could not sit, we were seated for dinner. We asked for their 2.5 pound lobster @ $31 lb., a regular staple on the menu. After all the place is called LOBSTER. We were immediately told they didn't have the 2.5 lb. lobster but we could get the 3 pounder @ $31 lb. No other suggestion was made although the menu is extensive. Again, people like choices.

As a film producer, I've eaten in some of the finest restaurants in the world and have never been told the only lobster I could get was the 3 pounder or nothing. There were 1 1/2 pound lobsters on the menu. Why not suggest one of those? As much as people LIKE choices, that's how much they DON'T LIKE to be hustled.

My wife, who has owned her own restaurant in New York immediately smelled something "fishy." How can you be out of a staple at 7PM on the Saturday evening before Valentine's Day? I went ahead and orderd the 3 pounder and got a well cooked though miniscule, lobster. I thought it was an empty carcas! The little lobster meat that was there was delicious. My wife ordered only chowder just to order something as she is less tolerant than I. We ate and left and expressed our disatisfaction with the reservation desk.

I don't recommend this restaurant and I am not alone. My wife and I heard the comment, "Next time we go to the PALM," by some diners on their way out. So, we ate at LOBSTER twice in one night -- the first and the last.

09/25/11

Great dining experience

by robertwhite16

I'm so excited to go to this place. Not really for me but for my wife. She's a seafood lover and I can't wait to show her the place. We went there just in time for the sunset. It was perfect. We ordered of course, lobsters and fish for me. As expected, the food was phenomenal. They were all fresh. It was a great moment for us. Eating great food with the great view of the sunset. The service was excellent. No complaints. It was one of the best dining experiences we ever had. Will definitely come back here. Maybe in our next special occasion.

07/13/11

Incredible Service

by scavo jerry

Our service was great and the waiter was adorable. Ambiance was romantic and definitely recommended. For the music,,,I would recommend jazz or house and the people were cool. Portions were good.

05/04/11

It's not the tourist trap you might think it is

by nokeslaw

had this restaurant not been highly recommended, we would not have gone because it looks a bit touristy especially with the pier location. we were surprised by the wonderful atmosphere, service and food.

01/16/11

This restaurant change my mind about sea food

by Jasime

I have to admit, I am not into sea food, but now I have changed my mind and a regular visitor!!! mmmm

08/31/10

Great place

by mikelabella

This place is wonderful! The atmosphere is quite gorgeous! It sits next to the pier and has a view of the Pacific Ocean. A great place for date night. I ordered a smal lobster and was pleasantly surprised at the size. It was soooo good! If you like lobster, you must try this place out. If you don't, try it out anyways just for the view :-)

08/06/10

Excellent Venue for Special Occasions

by JADKC

On July 30, we had my mother's 80th birthday party at The Lobster. The staff, from manager, server to front desk were so very kind and helpful. They allowed us to drop off hostess bags and a cake on the day of the event. We had flowers delivered. The Lobster cared for these items as if it were their own party.

The food was fabulous. Although known for lobster, the fish selections were fantastic and ranged in price from $26-29. They sat us at a table for maximum privacy with a superb view of the pier and facing the setting sun.

I would recommend this locale for any occasion but truly appreciate all their help (especially Shirley the manager that night).

05/27/10

Overall Great Place

by hallkhloe

The Lobster is really a great place for an outstanding meal. The food is really good…not too expensive considering the location and quality of food. The view is stunning, you get the feeling you are on the beach in the middle of a vacation spot. I really love coming here!

09/24/09

Beautiful view, good ambience

by sasha felix

Food was good and the views of the sunset awesome. The ambience was great and so was the crowd.

• Pros: beautiful view, good ambience