Lobster fans, claws up as American seafood chain giant Red Lobster is now in Manila.
The Florida-based casual dining restaurant has opened its first Philippine branch on Nov. 16 at S Maison, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.
Red Lobster brings to Manila its seafood expertise and global appeal, and of course, its widely popular Maine lobsters.
According to the restaurant’s director for Asia operations Catherine Souders, they are working with a local supplier that ships live lobsters from North America to the Philippines. Diners get to pick their lobster of choice at the Live Lobster station, a tank that displays the live lobsters.
Its most recommended dish is the Seafood Feast, a huge entrée composed of Maine lobster tail, steamed wild-caught North American snow crab legs, and garlic shrimp scampi—all smothered with mouth-watering butter sauce—then served with wild rice and fries.
Aside from lobsters, the restaurant also brings to the Philippines the cult-favorite Cheddar Bay Biscuits and other bestsellers. Red Lobster said almost one million of these freshly-baked garlicky cheesy biscuits are served daily at its restaurants.
Other dishes that will excite the appetite are the Seaside Nachos, Signature Shrimp & Cocktail, and Bleu Cheese Salad for starters; there’s also the Shrimp & Kani Pizza that can be shared with friends.
The Bar Harbor Seafood Bake (baked spaghetti, garlic butter cream, mussels, scallops, squid, and shrimp) is a must-try, as it mixes up mussels and other goodies from the sea with al dente pasta for a filling meal. The Cod New Orleans (blackened cod, shrimp, Cajun butter sauce, pico de gallo, and mashed potatoes) offers a taste of Mardi Gras with its select spices for a Cajun touch, and the Barramundi (blackened barramundi, roasted potatoes, snow peas, and beurre blanc) is cooked just right to reveal its tender, buttery goodness.
For a more indulgent cheesy experience, there’s the Truffle Mac N Cheese dish that is redolent with truffled goodness.
With more than 745 restaurants across 11 countries, Red Lobster is the world’s largest seafood restaurant company and largest seafood purchaser in the world with the highest market share of all seafood specialist restaurants in America at 47 percent.
Restaurant operator The Bistro Group has brought Red Lobster to the country after years of negotiation.
“The time was eventually right for Red Lobster to enter the Philippines,” said Souders.
