Lobster for Two!: How not to impress your girlfriend with a lobster dinner There’s something so romantic about the idea of heading out into the wilderness (in this particular case a family campground on Long Island), sleeping under the stars, and cooking up fresh lobsters over an open flame. Having attempted just that during a recent holiday weekend, here are a few do’s and don’ts… 1. Do not purchase said lobsters too far in advance, only to stress and freak-out about their mental health and well being as they slowly suffocate in your refrigerator. Asking said girlfriend all the while… “Do you think they are suffering?!” “Should I put them in a bigger pot?!” “I better blanket them with another wet paper towel.” 2. Do make sure that campsite has a proper grill, ideally NOT one that is essentially a grate-less metal bin that sits on the ground (pictured above). 3. Do make sure that fire starting skills are in tip top shape. Spending two hours  constructing an optimal conflagration, while hungry girlfriend watches patiently as day turns total darkness, does not set optimal or intended mood. 4. Practice Practice Practice! Butchering lobsters for the first time, in the dark, on a slanted wooden picnic table, which will also double as dining area, is not recommended (fragmented lobster parts don’t count as tablescape!). 5. Do bring tongs! Do not place lobster directly in fire; doing so may cause damage to appendages of both lobster and lobster chef. 6. In case of lobster disaster, do bring back up snacks. (Note: Despite numerous impediments, as described above, two lobsters were in fact enjoyed during the making of this story. If nothing else, this at least demonstrates that lobsters are truly a forgivable, if not necessarily easy, dish to prepare in the woods.)  So having avoided just a few possible missteps, you’ll be well on your way to grilling the perfect lobster dinner, just like Bobby does it!

Lobster for Two!: How not to impress your girlfriend with a lobster dinner

There’s something so romantic about the idea of heading out into the wilderness (in this particular case a family campground on Long Island), sleeping under the stars, and cooking up fresh lobsters over an open flame. Having attempted just that during a recent holiday weekend, here are a few do’s and don’ts…

1. Do not purchase said lobsters too far in advance, only to stress and freak-out about their mental health and well being as they slowly suffocate in your refrigerator. Asking said girlfriend all the while…

“Do you think they are suffering?!”

“Should I put them in a bigger pot?!”

“I better blanket them with another wet paper towel.”

2. Do make sure that campsite has a proper grill, ideally NOT one that is essentially a grate-less metal bin that sits on the ground (pictured above).

3. Do make sure that fire starting skills are in tip top shape. Spending two hours  constructing an optimal conflagration, while hungry girlfriend watches patiently as day turns total darkness, does not set optimal or intended mood.

4. Practice Practice Practice! Butchering lobsters for the first time, in the dark, on a slanted wooden picnic table, which will also double as dining area, is not recommended (fragmented lobster parts don’t count as tablescape!).

5. Do bring tongs! Do not place lobster directly in fire; doing so may cause damage to appendages of both lobster and lobster chef.

6. In case of lobster disaster, do bring back up snacks.

(Note: Despite numerous impediments, as described above, two lobsters were in fact enjoyed during the making of this story. If nothing else, this at least demonstrates that lobsters are truly a forgivable, if not necessarily easy, dish to prepare in the woods.) 

So having avoided just a few possible missteps, you’ll be well on your way to grilling the perfect lobster dinner, just like Bobby does it!

Tags: Lobster Grilling