Another trip to the Old Port Lobster Shack, with Greek in hand

Another visit to the Old Port Lobster Shack - another delightful meal. Last time, the expensive Jose Dhondt Champagne disappointed me as a compliment to the divine lobster rolls they serve in this Redwood City institution.



So this time I tried out a Greek wine - 2008 Santorini from Boutari, one of the top producers of Assyrtiko-based wines from Santorini island in Greece. Rona was craving lobster bisque and steamers, and there is no better place on the SF peninsula for that kind of fare than the Old Port Lobster Shack.



We ordered the naked roll and the dressed roll (with a little mayo and green onion) - both delicious, melt-in-your-mouth, buttered and grilled perfect buns, well-executed fries, and incredibly satisfying lobster bisque - perfectly balanced between creaminess, lobster bits, and liveliness! The Assyrtiko really cut through the richness of the bisque. It was a bit heavy for the rather average clams (though they came with a deeply delicious broth). The wine was a great match for the lobster rolls and fries.

By the way, to print a $10 off coupon, valid through 12/05/2010, click here.

About the wine... It's 13.5% alcohol, medium-to-full body, with excellent acidity, rather simple like something I can see people serving as an every day wine in a Greek family restaurant (I drank it out of a tumbler), and satisfying with lobster rolls. Assyrtiko is perhaps the most well-known white wine variety from Greece. Taste-wise, somewhat of a cross between an Italian white and a Rhone white. For $13-16 on wine-searcher, it is reasonable, although I could think of a number of Italian whites in that price range that are as good or better (like this one).

I have a few other Assyrtiko bottles to try before expanding upon the ancient wine-growing methods of Santorini and the virtues o the Assyrtiko grape variety. Will keep you posted as I (figuratively) dive a bit deeper off the coast of Greece.