08 Feb Knuckle and Claw – Perhaps the Best Lobster Rolls Can Be Found in Silverlake

When you cannot stop thinking about a restaurant after you ate there, I would take that as a good sign. That happened after I drove to Silverlake to try Knuckle and Claw. After filling up to the point that I could eat no more, I went home only to obsessively think about the lobster and crab rolls for the next few days, wishing for more. Like the seafood, I have been hooked. Knuckle and Claw is a charming little hole in the wall on Sunset Boulevard on the edge of Silver Lake and Echo Park that will transport you to Martha’s Vineyard. Founded by Nikki Booth and Chloe Dahl, who is originally from Martha’s Vineyard, they started with a booth (Chloe’s Lobster Booth) at various farmers markets. With their stand-alone restaurant, they are packed nightly, with people dining at the counter that only has six seats, eating at one of the tables on the back patio or picking up take-out. Eating at Knuckle and Claw is like being on Martha’s Vineyard. The lobster is caught in Maine, driven to Boston and flown to Los Angeles. Less than 48 hours later, the tasty lobster rolls end up in your tummy! The menu is simple and laid out on a chalkboard. First you can pick between lobster, Dungeness crab, blue crab or shrimp. Then you pick the style you want – a roll, a mini roll or the “knuckle sandwich” which is sourdough bread with melted cheese. Lobster Roll Shrimp Roll Two Mini Lobster Rolls Blue Crab Knuckle Sandwich Can I pick a favorite? Nope! Between the crispy melted cheese in the Knuckle sandwich and the melted lemon butter poured over the rolls, it would not be possible to chose one over another. If the Rolls are not enough, Knuckle and Claw also has fresh oysters and Lobster Pot Pie which is more like a creamy lobster bisque with a flaky pastry topping. Compliment the rolls with sides like honey dijon slaw, chips, New England clam chowdah and chipotle corn chowder If you cannot decide what to order, or want a little of everything, try one of the offerings like the The White Dog, The Atlantic Flight or the Maine Event which offer a combination of mini rolls, plus a side and drink. And to wash it all down, Knuckle and Claw offers a few craft beers and one white wine, The Girls Sauvignon Blanc, on tap. These are the perfect pairings for the menu. As I continue to drool over the food and wish I were eating a lobster roll as we speak, I am figuring out when I can get back to Silverlake…..or perhaps wonder if and when they might open a Knuckle and Claw near the beach. Wouldn’t that be the perfect spot? Until then, make a point of heading to Silverlake as you do not want to miss Knuckle and Claw. Knuckle and Claw 3112 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026