Seafood...a genre of food that, if not executed perfectly, will run a poor review as well as a night with your porcelain friend. So why would anyone want to dabble with seafood when it has such a small room for error? I'll tell you why, because if you can perfect it, everyone will be ranting about it for years to come. Smoked & Cracked is where they've perfected their execution. Be warned, this is not fine dining, but its fine comfort dining at its very best!
I've been to many seafood places where they add a lot to the dish hoping to trick you into believing that you're getting more. Often times, you spend half your evening looking for that 1 lobster claw they promised. At Smoked & Cracked, there is no filler. They give you that entire lobster when you order the entire lobster. Even if you don't order the entire lobster, they put as much lobster or seafood as humanly possibly in every dish and this is why people come back.
Lets start with the fact that you're not walking into a grand ballroom or banquet hall, so reservations are highly recommended (even on a Tuesday). The owner greets you every time and is already on high energy to accommodate and make your dinner as pleasant as possible. Once seated, you'll see a wall full of wine and drink choices as well as one for food. My recommendation for drinks, would be their LOBSTER CAESAR! I know you can go and get a bottle of Clamato Caesar mix, but this place does it right. Everything from scratch and the flavours are incredible. PLUS...they throw in an entire lobster claw as a topper. That's enough for me!
Now onto the food: this flattened lobster roll breadstick they bring to the table is already buttered and just melts. I think I tried sneaking some out in my pockets. The SMOKED BOARD is a must and a great way to share at the table. Amazing flavours from the duck to the salmon and the sturgeon! The board comes with a small dish of DRUNKEN MUSSELS that makes you want to order the DRUNKEN MUSSELS as well. Now onto the main event: LOBSTER ROLL. wow! talk about packing as much lobster into a funny cut piece of bread. The butter oozing from all directions of the roll and sliding down your hands as you try to wrestle with this enormous lobster thing. (SIDE NOTE: their caesar salad is incredible! I don't know what it is, but it blows my mind away). The MAC & CHEESE we ordered thinking we didn't have enough food, but were mistaken. We had enough food, but we still managed to devour this cheesy, buttery mound of indulgence that I think I wept a little as I was stuffing my face.
SMOKED & CRACKED...seafood perfection!