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Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy’s Cove

May 28, 2014 by Valerie Lugonja 8 Comments

Fresh out of the ocean boiled in salty sea water

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

To orient ourselves to a location when we travel, Vanja and I like to take walking tours or a city. As we were traveling on the shoulder season, walking tours were not an option, but I was able to book Robert Young from Tall Tale Tours for a 6 hour private tour of Halifax and Peggy’s Cove for the two of us our first day together in Halifax. Relaxed, well rested, and eager to get out in the city, we were delighted that Robert had a good handle on how to orient us to the city, its history and put everything in context for us. Lunch time was rolling around as we were heading out to Peggy’s Cove when Robert asked if we’d be interested in a very rustic lobster experience.

Ryer's Lobster enroute to Peggy's Cove

“Ryer Lobsters is a bare bones place. A picnic table, a bib, and really great lobster. That’s it. Fifteen dollars a person for a 1.5 pound meal.” Forget the tour. Forget the history, architecture, art, literature or anything else. Get me to the lobster guy. Certainly, I had planned our entire trip around culinary experiences, but hadn’t thought this little jaunt would include something this special. When in Boston a few years back visiting Lauren while she was in school there, I actively sought out a place just like this one… the kind you read about – a little shack on the side of the road where the fishermen stock the store with fresh lobster and the person in the shop just boils them up as people stop by. Believe me. There was nothing to be found like this in the Boston area, and I hadn’t even thought to search for such a place in our Atlantic provinces – yet, without any idea of what a thrill this would be for me, Robert casually suggests this possibility for our lunch.

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

It was a grey, somewhat drizzly day. Having just spent 5 days in the Tatamagouche area for the Slow Food in Canada National Conference 2014, I was getting used to the East Coast Spring fog, drizzle and chill. Undaunted by it, we spied the Ryer’s sign and I was out of the car and into Ryer Lobsters  before Robert even had it in park.

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

Yup. Perfect. Exactly what I had hoped for. A fishy smelling, somewhat stinky little spot with live lobster splashing rigorously in their tanks.

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

Prices were better than one would ever find in any restaurant, mind you, this wasn’t even close to what one would call a restaurant. However, where lobster is concerned, I don’t need ambiance. Who does? Let’s face it. Diving into a lobster feast is messy business and this environment is the perfect one for such a culinary treat. And, Ryer Lobsters boils each lobster in salty ocean water. Something I hadn’t realized that every East Coast person knows: lobsters and any shell fish that needs to be boiled or steamed is always tastiest when cooked in ocean water.

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

Now, we were a little later than Robert had called in our order for, so the 4 lobster were packed in an insulated box, steam rising off them as the lid was removed. Those are hefty little babies.

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

Come to me, my pretty…. you are mine… all mine!

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

Dave Hoskin, owner, deftly prepared the lobster for use to eat with ease cleverly using the lobster scissors he sells in the shop. Bought a pair.

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's CoveRyer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

Two were placed in a rubber bin with paper towels and handed to Vanja and I. Only then, did I turn and see the picnic table to the left of me, set up for our rustic dining experience.

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

Napkins, bibs, plates, picks, drawn butter: what else does one need? Absolutely nothing.

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's CoveRyer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

Adorable.

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

Barely had my bib tied when Dave brought over some complimentary oysters for us to taste. Now, there were four of us as Robert had another client join us at the last minute. This was a generous amount of oysters to gift our table with – and I love oysters. Yet, with a steamy, sweet, succulent lobster in front of me, they held little appeal.

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

To be polite, I immediately ate one, and though they were large, and large oysters are usually off putting to me, these were bright, clean, refreshing and absolutely delicious. I was actually stunned by the texture and flavour of such a large oyster. The kind? I did ask. Black something. I didn’t write it down. Lobster, remember?

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

No more photos. This lobster was the most delicious lobster I have ever eaten. The experience was a 10 out of 10. I can, even now, vividly recall cracking the claw, and pulling out the steamy claw flesh, dipping it into the butter and sinking my teeth into the most luxurious of textures… perfectly cooked; the sweetness coupled with the rich unctuous butter added to the toothsome pull of the claw flesh coming off of the thin translucent flat bone was transcendent. Give me a moment.

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

The white container with the paper towel housed the shells. Vanja and I don’t care for the tamali, yet the young gal with us was crazy over it and ate two of them.

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

I had just licked my paws clean when I could see Dave was up to something.

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

Another absolute thrill! Blue lobster. They say, they are one in a million.

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

And then all of their “pets” were pulled out of a special larger tank in the back. These shell colours are anomalies and a thrilling find for any lobster fisherman. The white one is apparently the most rare.

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's CoveRyer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

Dave and his wife with their “pets”. I believe her name was Connie. Great fun couple with energy and information in abundance.

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

Four others had come in an ordered up a feed of 2 pounders. I could barely finish my pound and a halfer. These were huge!

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's CoveRyer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

Dave explained the lobster fishing area times off the Atlantic Coast, showing us this colour coded map. Very interesting to note the seasons in each area and how it is organized.

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

Bought our shears…

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

Looked at some photos of how lobsters grow. The eggs float up to the surface, Bonnie was telling us, at Wallace Wharf, which makes them very vulnerable to predators. Such a small percentage actually survive. Therefore,  in her area, they actually “seeded” their inland fishing area with these baby lobsters as they sink to the bottom and hide under rocks, thus avoiding predators. Veronica, from Cape Breton, a Lobster Scientist, later told me that they weren’t having the success they had hoped for in the Wallace Wharf inland fishing area, after doing this.

Ryer Lobsters enroute to Peggy's Cove

I think you get the idea. If you are anywhere nearby, Ryer’s Lobster is a must stop shop. It was all I could think about on our last two days in Halifax. I wanted to go back to have just that one more lobster. But, that was my little secret and was such a selfish wish that I couldn’t even share it with Vanja. I am just so thankful for the experience I had.

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Filed Under: Atlantic Provinces, Canadian Fish, Nova Scotia, Reviews (Products, Books, and Events) Tagged With: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Robert Young, Ryer Lobsters, Tall Tale Tours

About Valerie Lugonja

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Educator, Writer, Gardener and Traveler who believes in buying and eating locally, and most importantly cooking at home! As a brand new Gramsy, so be prepared to hear a lot about this new role in her life!
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« Dinner at Two Doors Down
Peggy’s Cove: An East Coast Canadian Iconic Landmark »

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Comments

  1. Sandra Aldrich says

    July 29, 2015 at 5:48 pm

    Dear Valarie, I loved reading this article! Your adjectives alone, and of course, the photos, made us so hungry and excited. My husband, Jay, and I will be coming to Ryer Lobsters on the 27th of September! We will be on a cruise ship land will be on a tour with Halifax Taxi Tours and are so looking forward to seeing Peggy’s Cove and learning about the story!

    Thank you for your wonderful article once again and making the upcoming trip even more exciting about our wonderful lunch to come!!!!

    Sincerely,

    Sandra Aldrich

    Reply
    • Valerie Lugonja says

      July 29, 2015 at 10:00 pm

      Sandra,
      I still dream of that lobster. You will have so much fun, but a cruise and one day is doing the area injustice. Will you be going to Newfoundland? I was there, too – but have not yet, believe it or not, had time to write about the absolutely breath taking and unforgettable experiences we were forever changed by while there. I hope you will love it as we did! Thank you so much for your comment as it means a great deal.
      Sincerely,
      Valerie

      Reply
  2. Bruno Pardee says

    December 16, 2015 at 8:51 am

    We have been to your place many times with my brother in law Dwight Wyman, he passed away a few years ago. I am sure if you will remember us, Judi and Bruno Pardee from Connecticut. I would like to know the cost of shipping on four 2 pound lobsters shipped to Ocala Florida.
    Thank you, Bruno Pardee
    brunojudi@aol.com

    Reply
    • Valerie Lugonja says

      December 16, 2015 at 9:03 am

      Bruno
      I was writing about our experience there, too. This is not my place. If you read the article, you will see there is a photograph of their business card with phone numbers and email on it.
      🙂
      Glad to know you loved it as much as we did!
      Valerie

      Reply
  3. David Bell says

    May 27, 2017 at 9:35 am

    Black Point Oysters!

    Reply
    • Valerie Lugonja says

      June 4, 2017 at 2:10 pm

      yeah!

      Reply

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