REVIEW- Flanders Fish Market- East Lyme, Conn. (14 out of 15)

Having been born in raised in East Lyme I have come to know the Flanders Fish House from it's earliest roots as a small eatery in a 19th century house opposite the Flanders Shopping Plaza and vis-a-vis from East Lyme High School to it's recreation as a dining hot spot for the masses including those in busses. Having dined at the Flanders Fish House on several occassions in the past several years I opted to order some take out and having craved lobster of some sort I decided on that.

I arrived at the perennially busy Flanders Fish House on a Friday (early January) eve about 5pm and entered the restaurant/fish market and was quickly greeted by a friendly young man working behind the seafood counter that featured everything that could tempt the seafood lover. The take out menu was very long and offered everything that the dine-in menu had. From King Crab legs to gorgonzola shrimp to fish & chips all ready to be enjoyed. Since lobster was on my mind and deciding on take out I decided on the hot lobster roll, more of a traditional New England staple. Usually lobster meat placed on a hot dog roll and covered with melted butter the young man asked me what type of bread I would like. Having read in various travel magazines that now foccacia was one of the "rages" I ordered that. I, then tempted by the other fruits of the seafood counter ordered a half of a pound of the jumbo shrimp and some cocktail sauce to go. With a smile this order was filled.

I could see in the nearby dining room that was bustling with activity and as usual and as remembered very loud that all was well at the Flanders Fish House. My order arrived in about 15 minutes time and I took it with me to my vehicle. I drove off to a secluded spot near the waterfront to enjoy the fresh sea air and this treat. The presentation was nice, a fresh piece of foccacia, lobster meat dripping with butter and a healthy portion as well, some fresh lettuce and tomato, not sure what to do with that on a lobster roll but what the heck. I topped the sandwich and began to finish off this delicacy. I did notice that the lobster meat had a hint of garlic in it and I as a traditionalist smirked at this finding as "any other" flavors normally drown the fine lobster taste out unless that is a southern lobster or "spiny" which have little flavor in my opinion.

The jumbo shrimp were fresh and perfectly cooked, not too chilled either which was nice as often it is hard to discern frozen from freezing shrimp (ones that sit on ice too long). Cocktail sauce was nice and thick, strengthened by a generous portion of horseradish. The kind that clears your nose!

When finishing off these treats I can see that Flanders Fish Market although much larger and louder (inside dining & the bus parking) than I like, had moved a bit more to the "bistro" type in their offerings which is a nice change as I grow tired of dining at restaurants that all serve the same pasta and seafood medly, scallops and fettucine etc... I do however prefer the variety of lobster roll with simple drawn butter and a hot dog roll but this was good, very good and the bread very fresh.  With this in mind I must say I look forward to my next summer visit to Flanders Fish Market for some take out to be enjoyed near the ocean.

RATINGS KEY:
SCALE:1-Low/Check out other places, 3 "ok" to 5-Highly Recommended

Dining

                                                                

Food (quality & presentation)	4
Variety	5
Service	5
Beverage Selection (take out)	N/A
Atmosphere (take out)	N/A

Summary

All in all a nice experience even a mid winter's take out order.

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