Seafood 101:
A Guide to Lobsters

Although it isn’t on the coast, seafood is a popular choice in Las Vegas, making it a feature item at the top seafood restaurants in Las Vegas. With its rich, sweet flavor, many seafood connoisseurs seek lobster meat from renowned seafood restaurants such as Aqua Seafood & Caviar Restaurant.

With its refined atmosphere and exceptional menu, Aqua Seafood & Caviar Restaurant has secured its place as one of the premier seafood restaurants in Las Vegas, with a menu that will make your mouth water. Aqua Seafood & Caviar Restaurant is proud its menu includes a lobster dish featuring lobster sourced from Maine.

Come join us for dinner and enjoy the best seafood in Las Vegas. 

When is lobster season? 

Some months or seasons are better than others for catching specific types of seafood. In some cases, there are laws limiting when fishermen can catch saltwater fish, crustaceans, shellfish, and other types of seafood. These laws establish the season for each type of catch.

The lobster season varies from location to location. Canada is the world’s largest lobster exporter. Maine is the U.S. state with the largest annual American lobster catch, while Massachusetts is second.

Canada, Maine, and Massachusetts are in cooler climate zones. Lobster is plentiful in Canadian waters during spring and summer, while lobstermen in Maine bring in most of their catch between June and December. Lobster season runs from late summer through March in warmer waters off the coast of Florida and California.

When is the best time to buy lobster? 

Lobster is available for purchase year-round, but typically, it’s more affordable during the summer and fall. However, fluctuations in lobster prices are common due to supply and demand, as well as weather conditions. Still, the best month for lobster depends on where the lobster’s sourced and the type of shell.

The best time to buy based on source location 

Canadian lobster prices decrease in the spring and summer because of the increase in supply. Customers wishing to save money on Canadian lobster may consider May and June the best time for a tasty lobster dish, while those consuming U.S. lobster often enjoy better prices in late summer and early fall.

The best time to buy based on lobster shell 

Customers can enjoy hard-shell or soft-shell lobster. Spring is a good time of year for hard-shell lobster. During the summer, soft-shell lobsters are more plentiful, while there’s an excellent supply of both shells in the fall.

How are lobsters caught? 

Lobster pots are traps lobstermen use to catch these crustaceans. The traps are rectangular, and wire mesh covers their frames. Lobstermen fill the traps with bait, such as herring, and lower the trap into the ocean. Traps rest on the ocean floor and can be placed at depths up to 1,000 feet or in shallow waters 15 feet deep. Lobstermen mark their traps with identification buoys, enabling them to locate their traps when they return to check on their catch.

What are the different types of lobsters? 

There are several types of lobsters, including:

• American 
• California Spiny
• Canadian 
• Cape Rock
• Caribbean Spiny 
• European Spiny
• French Blue
• Norway 
• Southern Rock
• South Coast Rock
• Tristan
• Western Rock

American buyers think of lobsters as red because that’s the color of American lobster; however, French blue lobster starts blue and doesn’t turn red until it’s cooked. There are some other physical differences based on lobster type. American lobsters have claws, while spiny lobsters have horns.

Are lobsters a healthy meal choice? 

Enjoying fresh lobster is a great way to ensure a healthy meal because lobster meat includes the following nutrients:

• Copper – Copper helps the human body produce energy and process iron. 
• Magnesium – Magnesium regulates the human body’s nerve functions, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. It’s also an essential building block for bones.
• Phosphorus – Getting enough phosphorus prevents health issues such as bone pain and anemia.
• Omega 3 fatty acids – Omega 3 fatty acids are good for your heart. 
• Vitamin B12 – Vitamin B12 is crucial for developing red blood cells, the brain, and nerve cells.
• Vitamin E – Vitamin E is an excellent antioxidant that protects the human body from free radical damage.
• Zinc – Zinc supports the body’s immune system and helps people heal. 

How are lobsters cooked? 

The most common ways to cook lobster involve steaming or boiling lobster. You’ll need a big pot for either method. You can confirm your lobster is cooked with a thermometer. The meat in the tail’s thickest part should be white, and its temperature should be between 135°F and 140°F. 

Steamed lobster

Start by boiling approximately two inches of salted water. Insert the lobsters headfirst once the water comes to a boil. Cover the pot with a lid and set your timer once the water returns to a boil.

The time needed to steam lobster depends on the lobster’s size. You can steam a pound of lobster in as little as eight minutes, but it will take up to 14 minutes to steam three pounds.

Boiled lobster

Bring a whole pot of salted water to a boil. Put the lobsters in the pot and cover them with a lid. The length of time you should boil lobster depends on the size. It takes approximately five minutes to boil a pound of lobster from the time the water returns to a boil after you put the lobster into the pot. It takes twice as long to boil two pounds of lobster.

Other lobster recipes 

Although boiled or steamed lobster with melted butter is a popular way to enjoy a lobster dinner, other options include broiled lobster tail and lobster rolls.

How to eat lobster 

Eating lobster can seem intimidating at first, but it’s actually quite simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

• Twist off the lobster’s claws and legs.
  
• Use a lobster cracker or nutcracker to crack open the claws and legs to get to the meat inside.
  
• Pull off the small flippers on the underside of the tail.
  
• Use your thumbs to push apart the shell and pull out the tail meat in one piece.
  
• Remove the small translucent sac at the top of the tail, known as the tomalley. Some people enjoy eating this, while others do not.
  
• Crack open the body shell with your hands or a lobster cracker to access the meat inside.
  
• The meat in the small legs can be accessed by squeezing and pulling the leg segments apart.
  
• Dip the lobster meat in melted butter or your preferred sauce and enjoy!
  
• Remember to also clean your hands frequently while eating lobster, as it can be a messy process.

Eating lobster claws 

Eating a lobster claw is a bit different from eating the tail. Here’s how to do it:

• Twist the lobster claw at the joint where it meets the body to separate it.
  
• Use a lobster cracker or nutcracker to crack the claw shell at the thickest part of the claw.
  
• Remove the top part of the shell and set it aside.
  
• Use a pick or fork to remove the flesh from the claw.

It’s important to note that some claws may have small edible pieces of meat in the joints and smaller parts of the shell, so be sure to use your pick or fork to retrieve as much meat as possible.

Eating lobster tail 

Eating a lobster tail is one of the most enjoyable parts of eating a lobster. Here’s how to eat it:

• Grab the tail on each side with both hands and gently rock it side to side to loosen it from the body.
  
• Hold the tail and bend it back until it cracks.
  
• Use your fingers to separate the meat from the shell at the top of the tail.
  
• Gently pull the meat out of the tail in one piece.
  
• Remove the translucent sac at the top of the tail (the tomalley).

The meat in the lobster tail can also be removed using kitchen shears to cut the underside of the shell, but this is not necessary. Remember to clean your hands frequently while eating lobster, as it can be messy.

Eating the head of a lobster 

Eating lobster is a unique seafood experience that many people enjoy. The head and body of the lobster are both edible and contain a rich flavor that is popular among seafood enthusiasts.

First, remove the antennae and eyes from the head. To do this, use your hands to twist off the antennae and then poke out the eyes using a fork or another small utensil.

Next, hold the head with both hands and twist it off the body. Using a small fork or spoon, scoop out the meat from inside the head. The meat may be a bit delicate, so take care when handling it.

Eating leg meat

To enjoy the meat in a lobster’s legs, start by twisting the legs off of the body.

Next, use a lobster cracker or nutcracker to crack open the shell of the leg. Be careful not to crush the meat inside. You can also use scissors to cut the shell lengthwise if you don’t have a lobster cracker.

Using a small fork or seafood pick, pull out the meat from the legs. The meat may be a bit delicate, so take care when handling it and try not to shred it.

Does Aqua Seafood & Caviar Restaurant only serve seafood?

In addition to seafood dishes, Aqua Seafood & Caviar Restaurant serves duck, chicken, pasta, and Australian Wagyu beef.

How can I make a reservation?

You can reserve a table online or by phone.