There is seafood... and then there is... Legal Seafoods. Legal Seafoods had it’s humble beginnings as a seafood market when it was first opened back in 1950 by George Berkowitz right next door to his fathers grocery store in Inman Square, Boston Mass...The name was due to the fact that his father gave out S&H Green stamps to customers, which were then called Legal Stamps, with all of their purchases. Hence... came the company name “Legal Seafoods”. Then in 1968 the first restaurant opened right next door to the market serving up different varieties of fish either broiled or fried and served on picnic tables...Word spread about the freshness of each meal and the rest is history. Now with 30 family owned restaurants, a mail order company and even a grocery product line, “That Fishy Place“, as it was first called, has certainly come a long way. We first heard about Legal Seafoods from our concierge at the hotel we stayed during a digital syndication convention in the city of Boston. This location is beautifully decorated in a nautical motif featuring a large space on one side where private parties are held under what appears to be a large white sail. The lively bar on one side is slightly elevated on one level up from the main dining room which has bistro style seating along one large wall, with cushioned seats on one side of the tables and wooden chairs on the other.. All done in light woods with interesting ceiling lighting fixtures. There are tables in the center of the rooms in many configurations to accommodate all groups, regardless of size. We were immediately seated first just before the lunch rush.

We all knew what we wanted to have, the famous Lobster Roll, a delicacy not on many menus in this area. Yet another reason why we all loved to meet there since Lobster Rolls are one of our favorite things to eat whenever we're in Boston… Trust me when I confess that I could dine on that delectable lobster sandwich every day and have been known to do just that while on past trips. At Legal Sea Foods, this dish is cooked to perfection with 1 to 1¼ Lb lobster meat mixed with a bit of celery, scallions and mayonnaise then served on heated roll which has been slightly grilled. All that for $17.95, which may seem high for a sandwich, but when you stop to consider how much luxurious lobster meat you are being served... it is certainly well worth the price. We were also given a choice of French fries or onion rings and we usually chose the onion rings since they are so thinly sliced and perfectly prepared and seasoned. Warm rolls were soon brought to the table and we started to chat about everything and anything while we waited. We always made it a point to return with each subsequent visit since we've enjoyed whatever we have tried on the menu. But then... as time went on, we found ourselves literally craving the perfectly prepared lobsters we had occasionally dined on while we rushed off to meetings and conferences.

Recently we were given the unique opportunity to sample Legal Seafoods Gourmet Gifts... and all of us here at UPBEAT Entertainment News Syndicate were pleased beyond words with everything we sampled. First up was the Lobster Clambake Supreme... an unforgettable Legal Seafoods lobster dinner with all of the trimmings. Everything was there, right down to the reusable, 19-quart, enameled lobster pot. This glorious dinner for two included one quart of their award-winning New England clam chowder, 1lb. of linguica sausage, Corn on the cob, Red Bliss potatoes, 1lb. of littleneck clams, two fresh, live Legal lobsters, one Legal Sea Foods lobster pot, detailed cooking instructions and a lovely claw-cracker kit. The clam chowder was rich and creamy with a spectacular robust flavor. The lobsters were massive and very easy to cook. There are very few places that fully understand precisely what it takes to select only the best lobsters and Legal Seafoods does this and then some. We were also treated to eight massive 2 lb. lobsters [our crack editorial staff has a tendency to indulge a bit during the holidays].

Pure and oh so very sweet, these wonderfully meaty hard-shell lobsters came exclusively from the cold, clean waters of the North Atlantic. Ideal for gift giving or family celebrations, they also make a dramatic presentation— and a lasting impression. Ours were delivered pre-cooked and they redefined the word "feast" for all of us! We then tried the splendid Black and White Lobster Ravioli... this delicate pasta is overflowing with a very special blend of tender lobster meat and sweet ricotta cheese. We had our ravioli well prepared with a piquant, fresh Italian-style tomato sauce, also available from Legal Seafoods. The Black and White Lobster Ravioli makes a tempting appetizer or satisfying entree... and by the time we got to the wine, a lovely Fess Parker Syrah... an intense nose full of black cherry, blueberry, and plum. Flavors of boysenberry, blueberry and cherry on the palate with hints of licorice, mint, and vanilla. A full-bodied and luscious wine that complimented the entire experience in such a burst of flavorful delight.

All Lobsters should be cooked the day they arrive. The lobsters are best left in the shipping box with cover on until cooking time. You may also store the lobsters in the refrigerator crisper atop a handful of seaweed. DO NOT put lobsters into the sink or the bathtub— lobsters will die in fresh water. Although the lobsters may appear to be motionless, they have been carefully packed, are alive, and ready to prepare. A sure sign that you cooked a healthy and fresh lobster is a curled up tail after steaming or boiling. Also, the meat in the tail will be firm after cooking. Place steel rack in bottom of pot. Add water, 1 to 1½ inches deep, in bottom of pot. Lightly salt water and bring to a full boil. Place lobsters on rack, no more than two deep. When water begins to boil again, cover and follow cooking times. Microwaving your lobsters— always use 100% power. If in doubt, undercook, look, then cook again. Always allow some time before removing wrap or cover. Let stand for temperature to permeate throughout piece. If oven is not equipped with carrousel, turn dish around halfway through cooking. A special cooking bag will enhance the inherent taste of food. For a ¼ lb. lobster, the cook-in-a-bag method gives the best results. Place the live lobster in the bag (fresh seaweed can be added). Twist bag-open end closed-tuck ends down in a dish. (Most likely bag will be punctured by some of the prickly lobster shell.) Cook for 8 minutes at 100% power. Let stand at least 5 minutes before opening bag. Legal Seafoods indeed deserved the honor of our highly-coveted Editor's Choice/Taste Award as these gourmet dishes make a truly elegant gift for anyone with a palette for the superb. The exquisite taste of their fresh, succulent lobster tails will be remembered long after the celebrations are over. UB


http://www.legalseafoods.com/

Home | UPBEAT Staff | Contact Us | Submit Content

Copyright ©2008 Bridget Petrella Media Relations. All Rights Reserved.