On July 17, Back Bay is going to look a little more like Maine as lobster roll chain Luke's Lobster opens the doors to its first Boston location at 75 Exeter St. Already located throughout New York, New Jersey, Chicago, and the Washington D.C. area, the restaurant specializes in, as one might guess, lobster rolls, as well as crab rolls and shrimp rolls. Additionally, Luke's also offers New England clam chowder and ice cream sandwiches for dessert (made with South End Buttery cookies).
The interior is relaxing, and driftwood-lined walls make it feel like a day at the beach. Colorful buoys hang from above, and photos of Maine lighthouses are framed on the walls. Fishnet lines the wall next to the register and divides the open kitchen and dining room from the large metal ramp that outlines the dining room and leads to a second row of seats as well as restrooms. Above the row of high-top seats in the back hang Maine license plates.
Walking back down from the back seats, one can get a great view of all the kitchen action, as well as the tables that are scattered throughout the space. Behind the kitchen counter, crisp white subway tiles line the walls, and there are bookshelves bearing the official Luke's Lobster cookbook, which is available for sale. Additional seating is in the front, just before wall-to-wall windows which not only allow for people watching but also let light spill into the restaurant, giving it a sunny feel.
Each table is armed with a napkin holder and a bottle of Sriracha, along with an aqua-colored mason jar filled with flowers. On the back wall, looking down on everything, a giant outline of a lobster is emblazoned on the driftwood in bright white paint.
Doors open tomorrow at 11 a.m. Luke's Lobster is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
