Lobster at Lucky Plaza – NYC
Happy almost Thanksgiving! We’re eating turkey this year (hurrah!), but for those eating out, specifically Chinese food, here’s a post for you! Think of it as my Thanksgiving or Thanksgivukkah present to you.
There’s a lot of places in Chinatown that serve lobster with ginger and scallion, but Lucky Plaza has to be the cheapest. At Lucky Plaza, one lobster will run you $9.95, while two will get you the rock bottom price of $15.95. Amazing, no? Admittedly, the lobsters are small with the tinier pieces ending up a bit dry and overall heavy on the corn starch coating, but when you’re on a budget, it really can’t be beat. I ordered one, but immediately regretted not ordering two when I saw the size. So do yourself a favor and order two. Nothing’s sadder than leaving a restaurant hungry.
The BF and I had planned on ordering noodles, but was told in order to get the lobster deal, we’d have to order a non-noodle dish, which I didn’t understand since the noodles were more expensive than what we ended up ordering: braised tofu with black mushrooms ($8.95). Perhaps the non-noodle dishes are prepared in advance? If so, our tofu had no tell-tale effects. The sauce wasn’t too reduced, the tofu innards were nice and wobbly, and the snow peas had a nice crunch. If I had to nitpick, I’d say there weren’t a lot of mushrooms, but if I wanted to be picky, I probably wouldn’t be at Lucky Plaza in the first place.
At the end of the meal, we were served complimentary sweet red bean soup. There were no glutinous rice balls, which I prefer, but to be honest, I’d be surprised if there were any. It was free after all, and one shouldn’t be too greedy. $10 lobster is good enough for me.
Note: According to Google Maps, the restaurant has closed or relocated. This is not true. I called Lucky Plaza a few minutes ago and got properly yelled at for asking if they were open. They are alive and still angrily kicking. Godspeed and happy holidays!
Lucky Plaza (CLOSED)
81 Chrystie St (b/n Canal & Hester St; map)
New York, NY 10002
212-219-8868
Funny, typical Chinese thanksgiving!