LOBSTER ME LOBSICLE REVIEW - BETHESDA (VIDEO)

The legendary Lobsicle is finally here in Bethesda, and that warranted a trip to Westfield Montgomery Mall for the Grand Opening of Lobster ME yesterday. With free food being given away during the lunch hour, I found myself in a line stretching around the future Chipotle space in the new Dining Terrace.

We've probably all seen a lobster roll before, but the Lobsicle is something entirely different - a battered and fried lobster tail, with melted butter on the side for dipping purposes. How does it taste? Is it worth the hype? What is the quality of the lobster?

Watch my review, and those questions and more will be answered!

CHARLEY'S PHILLY STEAKS OPENING AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL

Charley's Philly Steaks is the latest addition to the new Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Columbus, Ohio-based cheesesteak chain previously had a spin-off Charley's Grilled Subs restaurant at the mall.

Besides Philly cheesesteaks, Charley's will also offer "gourmet fries," which can be ordered with various combinations of cheddar cheese, bacon and ranch sauce. Chicken cheesesteaks, grilled chicken salads, and the chain's famous lemonades will round out the menu.

This will be the first Charley's Philly Steaks to open in Montgomery County; the chain has Charley's Grilled Subs locations at Westfield Wheaton Plaza and Lakeforest Mall.

In other Dining Terrace news, Cava Grill and Lobster ME have coming soon signage over their spaces.

LOBSTER ME TO OPEN BETHESDA RESTAURANT

Las Vegas-based Lobster ME is expanding to Bethesda this fall. The purveyor of the "World's Best Lobster Rolls" will be the latest addition to the new dining choices at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Mark Setterington, VP of Operations at Lev Restaurant Group, confirms Lobster ME will be located at the mall's new dining terrace, which is currently under construction (above photo). Lobster ME is scheduled to open by November 1, he said.

Lobster ME offers the Maine and Connecticut-style lobster rolls familiar to residents who patronize Luke's Lobster, Freddy's or the Red Hook Lobster Truck, to name a few. They also offer a Cajun roll, which features chilled lobster meat in a spicy Cajun sauce. And the El Diablo roll, which has warm lobster in a spicy marinara-style sauce. Each roll is made-to-order, and features the meat of an entire lobster. But there is an XL size, if that's not enough.

The Lobsicle is a grilled or batter-fried lobster tail on a stick. Other lobster entrees include Lobster Mac and Cheese, Lobster and Chips, and Lobster Tacos. Landlubbers can enjoy a Hebrew National hot dog. Lobster ME's fries are beer battered, and seasoned with your choice of their custom spice blend, or Cajun spice. The Vegas locations have a nice list of cocktails, including Wicked Lemonade, a Lobster Mary, and a Blueberry Margarita. But you never know for sure what (if anything) will end up on the adult beverages list in Montgomery County, given the tight government control of alcohol here. In Vegas, they also have a breakfast menu, featuring Lobster and Waffles, and a Lobster ME English Muffin.

The menu sounds great, and I'm also waiting to try the Chowder Fries, which are sort of the New England equivalent of poutine, from the description. Sure, lobster rolls are plentiful in DC and downtown Bethesda. But this will provide a new lobster roll spot for mall patrons, and office workers in the nearby office parks at Rockledge (until the developers replace them all with luxury condos and townhouses - so much for "live where you work"). And some new, unique menu items not available elsewhere.

All-in-all, the new dilemma at the revamped Westfield Montgomery Mall is going to be where to dine before the movies at the ArcLight Cinemas, also opening this fall. It's a good problem to have.