Photo Courtesy of Chef Alejandro Garza.
Metro Detroit and the greater state of Michigan has access to five of the most miraculous fresh-water lakes in the United States. Yet, as most hungry people do, we sometimes crave ocean-fresh seafood. That means briny, hearty, well-cooked fish and lobster.
With the diversity of cultures and restaurants that make Metro Detroit great, there are a number of places that specialize in seafood and lobster. Thanks to the quick travel of seafood to The Mitten, there is an abundance of salt-water options on many menus.
Moreover, these great eateries have made special holidays around it, creating Lobster-paloozas of one sort or another. Places from high-end fine dining establishments to middle-of-the-road dining rooms to everyday occasion kind of joints offer lobster in a variety of ways, and all of them are tasty to the extreme.
One series of restaurants have made lobster and seafood its specials for some time now. The restaurants inside the MGM Grand Casino in Detroit feature lobster in a number of creative ways, and the chefs there welcome people to try them all on special occasions or just because.
When creating a special occasion menu, lobster is a must, and with several restaurants at MGM Grand Detroit, we’re serving it different ways,” said Chef Alejandro Garza of MGM Grand Detroit.
If you’re looking for a special meal for that special someone, MGM Grand Detroit will have lots of lobster options for Valentine’s Day weekend.
“At Wolfgang Puck Steak, we’ll have a lobster and crab risotto, butter poached lobster and a crab-stuffed lobster tail and at TAP, guests can indulge in a more traditional surf and turf option.”
Here are some places to find the freshest of fish and the best lobsters.
Wolfgang Puck Steak
Don’t let the name fool you. This sophisticated restaurant in the MGM Grand Casino has some of the best seafood and lobster dishes in the city. For starters, there’s the Shellfish Platter, which features Alaskan King Crab, Lobster Claws, Chef Choice Oysters, Gulf Shrimp and a sauce assortment. Entrees include Pan Roasted Whole Maine Lobster, which comes with a Black Truffle emulsion, drawn butter and lemon, as well as Pan Seared Red Snapper, featuring steamed black rice, Thai fish sauce and bok choy.
Joe Muer Seafood Detroit Athletic Club El Asador Mexican Steakhouse Harbor House
This one has a name that says it all. For more than 90 years, Joe Muer’s name has been synonymous with seafood and everything fresh from the sea. It serves classic fish and creative seafood specialties, all overlooking the Detroit riverfront. During its famous Lobster Fest, you can get a four-course prix fixe Maine Lobster and all the fixings. Other times of the year, you can drool over its delicious lobster pot pie, lobster corn dogs, lobster bisque, its well-known Surf and Turf alla Muer and so much more.
You need to be a member or have a friend who is a member to get inside the DAC, a private club designed by famed Detroit architect Albert Kahn. But the lobster bisque is worth the effort – its rich and creamy texture is lush in all of the best ways. The main restaurant also serves top-of-the-line seafood, which changes based on market demand. Remember, you cannot wear blue jeans in this club so dress appropriately for the fish and finery.
What is with steakhouses and the best fish and lobster? Rhetorical question, but the answer basically is these kinds of eateries serve the best of the best, and they tend to be known for the high-end seafood that makes your mouth water. El Asador is known as Mexicantown’s gourmet steakhouse, using only local ingredients in its exquisite dishes. Try its signature dish, Cazuela de Mariscos, which features sautéed shrimp, salmon, mahi mahi, scallops, mussels, calamari, lobster all in a smoked chili broth and served with rice.
There are lot of reasons to go to the historic Harbor House – its great location, its entertainment, its strong pours. But the seafood and lobster are what bring people into the restaurant in droves. Selections range from catfish to snow crab to twin six-ounce lobster tails. If you want frog legs, they got ‘em. If you’re craving lobster Mac and Cheese, they got it. If you want all you can eat with fried shrimp, North Atlantic cod and every kind of meat protein on the planet, you’re right where you should be. Be prepared to roll home.