The Noisy Lobster in Mudeford launches themed dining nights at affordable prices

AS the cost of living squeeze tightens its grip, a Mudeford restaurant has introduced cut-price themed evenings to make dining out less of a strain on the purse-strings.

The Noisy Lobster, at its scenic location overlooking Avon Beach, is keen to welcome guests to its upcoming crab night, along with various wine events throughout November.

At £32 per person, the recent lobster night I attended delivered a taste of extravagance without the painful pinch of a giant bill at the end.

The restaurant was abuzz with diners out enjoying a mid-week bite – a testament to its pulling power – and having arrived a bit early we are seated in the bar area to soak up the atmosphere with a cocktail each.

The sleek, modern interior of the restaurant does well not to detract from the spectacular seaside surroundings, and the vibe is friendly, relaxed and unfussy.

At a table by the window we’re presented with the set menu with its choice of three starters and three mains.

Those who prefer just a few high-quality dishes done well will find this downsized menu much more manageable.

If wine is your preferred match with lobster, there is a comprehensive list to suit a range of palates and budget, and our charismatic waiter was on hand with recommendations to pair with shellfish.

We opted for Macon Lugny Domaine de Rochebin, a French unoaked chardonnay with flavours of peach, melon and a hint of pear, with a refreshing citric acidity – delicious!

To start I chose the maple and lime-smoked fishcake with lobster hollandaise and gherkin remoulade, which for me was the standout dish of the evening.

Coated with crispy bread-crumbs and with that perfect fish to potato ratio, it had just enough mash to ensure a smooth soothing texture while letting the beautiful flavours of the flaked fish shine through.

And the addition of the rich, velvety lobster hollandaise elevated the dish to the next level.

My friend chose the katsu mackerel with pickled onion and mint salad, katsu ketchup and lobster yogurt, which I was informed was divine.

My main of half a lobster came glistening with garlic and herb butter, accompanied by a generous portion of crispy fries and a vibrant cherry tomato and basil salad with minted vinaigrette.

This was comfort food with a luxurious twist: the lobster meat was succulent, sweet and juicy, and the fries were soul-satisfyingly good.

My dining partner had no hesitation in ordering the lobster linguine – pasta doesn’t get much more lavish but there was a winning simplicity to the dish.

Loaded with lobster and smothered in a silky, gremolata butter packed with flavours of garlic, chilli, lemon and parsley, the meal was an instant hit.

We had a wonderful time at the Noisy Lobster, which has clearly worked hard to build a loyal customer-following through reliably good food, including locally caught seafood, and faultless customer service.

Now the restaurant is on a mission to entice new customers with its themed nights and special offers as the evenings draw in, including steak and lobster nights on a Tuesday at £20 per person and half price kids meals between 5pm and 6pm Monday to Friday (excluding school holidays).

Guests at the Noisy Lobster’s themed wine nights, priced between £45 and £65 per person, can expect five courses of food with paired wines.

For more information or to book a table, go to noisylobster.co.uk

• Pick up the latest A&T – on newsstands now – and turn to p24 for your chance to win a table for two at the Noisy Lobster’s crab night on Wednesday 16th November.