The Lobster

a very fine dining experience. for our family, the standard of great food and service by which all others will be judged

Pros: best food, best service, simply the best

Posted 03/12/04

I 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

Pros: food, view

Cons: noisy

Posted 02/06/04

My 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.

Posted 11/12/03

Granted, 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 or one of the tables overlooking the water. Also, wait for a clear night. Ambience isn't the same with the plastic covering the spectacular view.

Pros: parking, potential atmosphere

Cons: crowded tables

Posted 10/29/03

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!

Posted 08/29/03

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...

Pros: Good food, Prompt maitre'd

Cons: Crowded on weekends

Posted 08/15/03

nOT 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

Posted 05/28/03

The 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 mind.

Posted 01/29/03

This 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.

Posted 12/13/02

If 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.

Pros: View, View, View

Posted 12/10/02

This 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 had the seared Yellow Tail and then the boiled Lobster (+ we split a bottle of white wine.) Both the Yellow Tail and Lobster were amazing, in fact, I would have to say that it was the best lobster I have had since I was in Maine. By the end of the meal, the service was so good, and the food was so exquisite, that we ended up tipping 30% simply because it made our week.

Pros: Best Seafood Ever, Sunset Ocean View, Split Courses

Cons: A Little Pricey, no cons, no cons

Posted 11/24/02

Great view. Everything else....over rated. Over priced decent food. Service below average. Great view.

Pros: view

Cons: price, staff, food

Posted 11/22/02

The 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.

Pros: Wonderful seafood, great drinks, beautiful view

Cons: overpriced, rude servers, sub-standard side dis

Posted 11/15/02

The 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

Posted 11/01/02

The 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.

Cons: Rubbery food, bad service, too expensive

Posted 10/21/02

doesn'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.

Pros: location, location, appetizers

Cons: service, noise, parking

Posted 08/31/02

My 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!

Posted 07/29/02

If 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!!!

Posted 07/26/02

Delicious meals and a Romantic Sunset Setting make this the place to celebrate that special occassion.

Pros: Incredible Location, Excellent Service, Great Ambience

Cons: A little Pricey, Reservations A Must

Posted 07/25/02

The 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.

Posted 07/10/02

My 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 definitely go again for drinks and the view. (Best time for the view is before sundown.)

Pros: VIEW, Drinks

Cons: Food Portions

Posted 07/01/02

the 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.

Posted 06/28/02

Looking for a place to go to watch the sunset? This place is a must! Amazing food!

Posted 06/27/02

If 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.

Pros: sunset views, great atmosphere, perfect service

Posted 06/16/02

Went 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.

Posted 06/13/02

The friendliest restaurant in town with the best food and the most incredible view of the ocean. Need I say more?

Pros: great view, great view, great service

Posted 06/11/02

I 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!

Pros: great food, super service, beautiful setting

Posted 06/05/02

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 a fresh, jumbo shrimp on the rim and if the salmon entree is available, don't hesitate for your main course. For stunning ocean views and great seafood, this is the ultimate in LA.

Pros: sunset views, fresh seafood, friendly staff

Posted 06/04/02

The 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 to frequently dine here.

Pros: Best View, Service, Lobster

Cons: Busy, Expensive

Posted 05/22/02

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!

Posted 05/20/02