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Photo courtesy of The Sardine Room
Metro Detroit and the greater state of Michigan have 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, salt-water options are abundant on many menus. With each establishment bringing a unique flavor to the table, Metro Detroit’s dining scene is enriched with these oceanic delights. Here are some places to find the freshest of fish and the best lobsters…
EL ASADOR
1312 Springwells Street, Detroit
What is with steakhouses and the best fish and lobster? It’s a rhetorical question, but the answer 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 local ingredients in its exquisite dishes. The ingredients here are so fresh that El Asador doesn’t even own a freezer. Try its signature dishes, like Cazuela de Mariscos, which features sautéed shrimp, salmon, mahi mahi, scallops, mussels, calamari, and lobster all in a smoked chili broth and served with rice, or Camarones en Salsa de Langosta, with cheese-stuffed breaded shrimp topped with lobster cream sauce and poblano peppers. For more combinations of seafood and Mexican favorites, check out these fish tacos.
THE SARDINE ROOM
340 South Main Street, Plymouth
Perhaps no place embodies the spirit of community and family quite like The Sardine Room. “The Sardine Room is a family-owned and operated restaurant located in downtown Plymouth, across from Kellogg Park,” shares owner and partner Julia Hill. “We have been serving the local Plymouth community for 12 years, providing coastal cuisine and our famous buck-a-shuck happy hour.” This comfortable establishment not only offers a tantalizing menu but also a story of familial dedication and love for the culinary craft. Order oysters and lobster claws from the raw bar, or get the Captain’s Platter, which features crispy cod, shrimp, crawfish hushpuppies, hand-cut fries, house slaw, and remoulade. For a filling comfort meal, go with the lobster mac with a delicious three-cheese blend and garlic butter panko.
HARBOR HOUSE
440 Clinton Street, Detroit
34250 Groesbeck Highway, Clinton Township
There are a lot of reasons to go to the historic Harbor House – its great locations, its atmosphere, its strong pours. But the seafood and lobster are what bring people into the restaurant in droves. Selections range from catfish to perch to six-ounce lobster tails. If you want frog legs, they got ‘em. If you want crab-stuffed salmon, they got it. If you want all-you-can-eat Alaskan Snow Crab, you’re right where you should be. Just be prepared to roll home. Selections vary by location, so be sure to check out both spots for all of your seafood cravings.
TERRY’S TERRACE
36470 Jefferson Avenue, Harrison Township
Terry’s Terrace elevates the seafood dining experience with special events that captivate the taste buds of seafood aficionados. “For both locations (Terry’s Terrace and Tom’s Oyster Bar), we have a feature called Lobster Lovers February that runs the entire month,” shares Nick Ritts, highlighting the restaurant’s dedication to offering culinary delights that celebrate the treasures of the sea. Outside of Lobster Lovers month, Terry’s Terrace has excellent seafood options regularly, like mini crab cakes, crab-stuffed mushrooms, Baja shrimp poppers, and drunken mussels, all of which are shareable. Seafood lovers have many entrees to choose from, including bourbon-glazed salmon, walleye, twin lobster tails, coconut shrimp, and more.
COMMON GRILL
112 South Main Street, Chelsea
The Common Grill strikes a perfect balance between casual dining and sophisticated flavors. Known for its vibrant atmosphere, it’s been a place where friends and family gather to enjoy hearty, flavorful seafood dishes that have showcased creativity and passion for the ocean’s bounty for over 25 years. Start off your meal with the seafood chowder, lobster spring rolls, or the chilled jumbo shrimp cocktail. For an entree, choose from options like perfectly seared scallops, seafood pesto, parmesan-crusted whitefish, or the goat cheese ravioli with shrimp and lobster claw meat amongst pancetta, basil, and a plum tomato-garlic sauce.
LILY’S SEAFOOD
410 South Washington Avenue, Royal Oak
Lily’s Seafood is your go-to for a cozy, welcoming dining experience. With a commitment to freshness and quality, Lily’s presents a seafood menu that comforts as much as it delights, served in a setting that feels like home. Lily’s has a creative menu that pairs excellently with the available craft beers. Seafood apps like the calamari, smoked salmon mousse, and the blue crab spinach and artichoke dip are all favorites, not to mention the creole soup. For those wanting a handheld, check out the smoked salmon Reuben or the Southwest-style tuna burger. As far as entrees go, the majority are seafood dishes, ranging from a beer-battered Alaskan cod platter to the crustacean bouillabaisse feast, which features shrimp, snow crab, mussels, and potatoes in a tomato broth with notes of saffron, fennel, and oranges.
This article has been updated to include new information. The original article was published on February 10, 2020, and was authored by Karen Dybis.
