The Lobster Pot holds the winning title for Nottingham’s Come Dine with Me: The Professionals, and there’s no questioning as to why. Owners Der and Bee have strived to create a Thai-inspired, seafood restaurant, serving traditional Thai cuisine but with a modernised twist. The Lobster Pot is a “relaxed fish and seafood café offering a varied menu of British and international flavours”. With many awards to the establishment’s name, including No.1 Seafood and No.1 Thai food in Nottinghamshire’s ‘Travellers’ Choice ‘22’, as well as Bee’s subtle brags of his egg fried rice being the best in Nottingham. So, with all these awards, I thought it was time to visit this place myself.
If I’m craving a takeaway, I rarely want a Domino’s pizza or a Chinese, but why would I when the Lobster Pot is on the cards? Many times, I have had their Pad Thai and Massaman curry to take away, and it hits the nail on the head every time. Their Pad Thai is an accumulation of stir-fried rice noodles with egg, beansprouts, leek and carrots, with nuts and chilli flakes on the side, and you can also choose from chicken, beef, or prawns to accompany. This dish is an ultimate comfort dish of fresh flavours, with a sweet and sticky sauce, and a final kick of heat at the end to tie it all together. I’ve raved about this dish so much that I managed to convince half of my friends to order it! And they were not disappointed.
When I dined with them recently, I decided to treat myself and order some prawn spring rolls which they served with a sweet chilli dip. I absolutely adore prawns, and after watching them on Come Dine with me, it was so reassuring to see how fresh all the seafood is. The owners ensure that you’re getting the meatiest and flavoursome produce served at your table, which is always a bonus when you live in the Midlands far from the coast. For my main, I order the Thai Green curry and bless the waitress for doubling checking if I wanted mine mild (which I did). The curry was fragrant, spicy, and indulgent, satisfying me greatly. Even writing this now I’m making my mouth water!
The ambience of the establishment is charming and fun. With colourful bunting, lobster décor, and tiki bars, the restaurant is clearly full of joy and love which reflects the passion of the owners and the food they cook. The service was beyond brilliant, our waitress was warm and welcoming, as well as extremely accommodating for any allergies and those who aren’t great at handling spice. I genuinely cannot say enough good things about this place.
The menu is large, and you are most definitely spoilt for choice. I can’t wait to go again and have more prawns, and try their mussels, and if I’m feeling fancy, maybe even give their oysters and the infamous grilled garlic butter lobster. Some might even say that the Lobster Pot “is what Seafood dreams are made of.”
Locations: 27 Villa St, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 2NY
199 Mansfield Rd, Nottingham NG1 3FS