Red Lobster

Red Lobster gets their more than their share of votes for favorite
restaurant. It's for the seafood novice. As for me, I've had far too much
seafood over the years to recognize quality, and this is not it.

The place has an easy going nautical theme with wood beamed ceilings
and booths, planked walls painted a light tan and accented with sky and
ocean blues. Several dining rooms accommodate a pretty good crowd
and still there's a waiting list during the dinner hour. One can practice
patience in their bright and cheery bar with a Lobsterita which comes
with a souvenir beaded lobster necklace.

Appetizers have been for the most part disappointing. The Southwestern
Lobster Rolls ($7.75) recommended by both the bartender and our waiter
was a huge waste of lobster which was flavorless and nearly
undetectable wrapped in a fried tortilla with crawfish, corn, bell peppers,
beans and cheese. The Steamed Clams ($9.75) came with a dozen of
them chewy and so meager it was pointless. The Parrot Bay Coconut
Shrimp ($7.99) has always been my favorite with large butterflied
shrimps breaded with coconut, fried golden and served with a sweet
creamy pina colada sauce that could nearly double as frosting. This can
also be ordered as an entree ($13.50).

Don't get me wrong, Red Lobster is trustworthy and clean, but it has it's
place in the food chain. The squeamish can pretend to eat seafood
without having to really taste it. A perfect example is their Rainbow Trout
($10.75/$16.75) which I ordered lightly seasoned and simply broiled. I
was wanting something uncomplicated, not tasteless. This had
absolutely no flavor.

A self proclaimed crab nut who lives in Big Bear says Red Lobster's are
the best. He makes the 45 minute drive down the hill once a week just to
get them. This statement and my affinity for Tabasco, especially on king
crab, was a good enough reason to give the place another try. I'm not
sure if it was the pound and a half of King Crab Legs ($27.99) or the
butter and Tabasco, but it was a satisfying splurge. All meals come with
a warm basket of their tender Cheddar Bay Biscuits which are addicting
and need no butter as well as a choice of sides. Steer clear though of the
Lentil Soup and Seafood Gumbo which were just awful. A better choice is
their Lobster Bisque ($5.50/$7.50), a less refined version than others,
that successfully imparts a sweet lobster flavor that even their lobster
tails lack.

Combination dinners and various seafood "feasts" are for the indecisive
and very hungry. One of these is the 30 Shrimp ($12.99) with two shrimp
entrees choices to choose from or 45 Shrimp ($17.75) with three shrimp
entrees to choose from a list of five: Garlic Grilled Pinwheel Shrimp,
Shrimp Linguini Alfredo, Fried Shrimp, Crunchy Popcorn Shrimp and Garlic
Shrimp Scampi. The Fried Shrimp was the best of the first three listed
with a light and tasty breading and a side of cocktail sauce.

They also offer steak and chicken dishes which I am unqualified to
comment on until trying, but the seafood here really needs those sauces,
breading and butter. Though I'm not crazy about Red Lobster I wouldn't
be surprised to find myself in the minority, nevertheless enjoy! I'll just
whip up something at home.

Located at 195 E. Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino.

Telephone (909) 888-2288