Lobster, lobster, lobster, lobster!

Is it wrong that we ate grilled lobster four nights in a row at our Jamaican paradise -- or is it very very right?

All our days bled together while sitting on lounge chairs overlooking the most tranquil rock cliffs at our Negril utopia, Tensing Pen. Each morning began with papaya so fresh it could barely stay skewered on the edge of the fork before falling to pieces under its own weight. That was immediately followed by mid morning sun-bathing and a float in the warm calm blue ocean. Then the obligatory fresh coconut; first enjoyed with a straw, then chopped open with a machete - how could we not? - the juice was so replenishing and the coconut meat, which we ate with a spoon, was like eating a piece of the scenery. More sun-bathing. Lunch consisted of a walk down the street for the freshest, most flavorful "ital" (Rastafarian, vegan organic) food. A mid afternoon Piña Colada with a rum float. And then...succulent, garlicy, buttery, juicy grilled lobster! Each day went something like that. It's hard to remember all the details; I think there was a couples massage thrown in one day just in case there was any residual stress left over from winter in the city.

Now, coming from the Northeast I've been primarily exposed to steamed, boiled, baked or broiled lobster. But after four days of being shown what I was missing I can now say in full confidence that grilled lobster is the way to go. Locking in those sweet juices, marinating in its own flavor, soaking in sugary decadent garlic butter. Something happens during that charring process that makes the lobster burst with delicate, tender, unbelievable flavor. I'm sure it didn't hurt that we were sitting on a rock cliff back-lit by twilight, being serenaded by the crashing waves but no matter what contributed, we were in our own heightened happy state. And regardless of the reasons, I'm convinced...grilled lobster is worthy of repeating.

Tensing Pen
Negril, Jamaica