Review of 'Smack Lobster Roll (NOW CLOSED)'

Item: Smack Lobster Roll (NOW CLOSED)
Rating: 4
Author: Stephen Rice

Note: Since this review, “Smack Lobster Roll” have moved to online delivery orders only.

I love lobster and am a sucker for a good lobster roll and “Smack” delivers a good lobster roll…but also a very good bisque…

Located a short distance away from Shaftesbury in the heart of Soho Smack is easily lost in the large number of restaurants in the area. A small, unassuming shop you could easily pass by without noticing, but it is worth noticing. This is a no-nonsense eatery with a sparse, industrial interior with customers continually coming and going - You don't really want to spend too much time on the hard, high seats. Yeah, it is fast food with Deliveroo (and other delivery service) drivers regularly picking up orders while we were eating.

Interior

The menu is quite simple: Rolls, sides and, er, drinks. The rolls come in three varieties: “Lobster”, “Lobster and Shrimp”, and “Shrimp” with your option of style: Classic (Japanese mayo, lemon and chives), California (Lettuce, tomato, cucumber, avocado mayo with lime, chives) or Seven Samurai (Japanese mayo, chinese cabbage, cucumber, pickled ginger, spring onions, togarashi spice).

Reading reviews prior to visiting I knew to try the “Lobster Chowder” (Â£5) - Absolutely wonderfully creamy and quite lobster-y with lots of pieces of both lobster and shrimp. Not really strong flavours but wonderfully comforting and warming (particularly on a cold day). The paper bowls were small but that is really all I can complain about.

Bisque and Roll

I decided to try the lobster California roll (Â£16) as I felt the classic was too “boring” and the strong flavours of the Samurai would overpower the sweet, delicate meat of the lobster. The roll was expensive but just jammed full of lobster and just the right amount of sauce in a wonderfully soft and pillow-y bun.

Bisque and Superfood Salad

My companion went with my idea of bisque but decided to try a main of the “Superfood Salad” (Â£5) which was full of avocado and butternut squash with a delicious lemon dressing. Very fresh and refreshing.

Ordering Area

The meal was not exactly cheap at Â£32.50 (without tip) for the two of us and if we had both had rolls it would have been considerably more but for the money you get very fresh and perfectly cooked seafood served simply and with great sympathy to the delicate flavours. Great place to grab a quick bite of something different in the area.

Mural