Black Pearl, New York

Overall: If you're in the neighborhood.
Cost: $53 incl. beer

It's felt like a while since there was a new lobster roll in town (if you're a lobster roll dork like me), so I was pretty excited to try Black Pearl when it opened recently in my 'hood. Well, BP manages to be good - a nicely toasted bun stuffed full of lobster - but it falls short of great. I may go back again because of proximity, but when I have a real craving I would make the trek to Mermaid Inn, the lobster meat tastes fresher and their buttery brioche bun rounds out the flavor. Other offerings like raw platter and fried shrimp sandwich were similarly decent but forgettable.