Lobster Vacations

For many people, lobster is associated with vacation. It is a summer dish that is enjoyed during that trip to the seaside. Eaten outdoors, at picnic tables, on the beach. Or eaten in a fancy restaurant. But not cooked at home.

It is easy to cook lobster at home of course, no different than boiling potatoes or grilling a steak. And there are lots of lobster recipes for different interesting dishes as well. But lots of people are intimidated by this, and only have lobster on vacation.

Now I know that plenty of Americans associate Maine with lobster, but I would like to invite them to come a little further north and east to enjoy our Maritime hospitality. Each province has something of its own to contribute.

My favourite, of course, is my own province of New Brunswick. We've got the culture of the Acadians and the Loyalists, great outdoor activities like Whale Watching, the highest tides in the world which make some pretty amazing natural phenomenons such as the Hopewell Rocks. There's a reason we're called the "Picture Province", and we are the home of the Lobster Capital of the World, Shediac. As for where to eat lobster? Check out Restaurants in New Brunswick for help on that. They are everywhere, many of them award winning, world-famous for dishes from lobster to seafood chowder to fried clams to blueberry pie.

Just across the confederation bridge from us is the home of Anne of Green Gables, red beaches, great golfing, kid-friendly theme parks, and Confederation. Prince Edward Island is also the home of PEI church lobster suppers. I've been to many, but my favourite is Saint Ann's Lobster Suppers. It still feels like an old-fashioned church supper, with all the camaraderie that comes with that. And it comes complete with seafood chowder, mussels, salad, and homemade dessert. And yes, they do serve things other than lobster - so if you're with a bug-o-phobic, they can get chicken or steak.

Then there's Nova Scotia . . . "Canada's Ocean Playground". Halifax is a great lively city with lots to do, the Annapolis Valley is a nice for fall colours, and Cape Breton is an amazing scenic drive with great cuture too. And the Shore Dinners are renowned.

So I would definitely encourage people to come for our Maritime hospitality. But our neighbour across the border in Maine is nice, too. We go there for shopping trips to Bangor or Freeport and Portland, and my husband and I have been camping in Acadia National Park. It was absolutely lovely. The next time we go we will be travelling a little further south to take in some recommendations on Maine Lobster Restaurants.

Now, if you like lobster tails from the spiny variety rather than the clawed variety, Florida and the Carribean are the places to go. If you're looking for places to eat there, here's some information on Miami Restaurants. I could sure use a visit there right about February or March. What they say about Canadian winters is true!

Wherever you choose to go, be sure to take the time to relax and enjoy it. There's nothing like fresh seafood, just caught.