Buster’s Sea Cove – 93 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E 1C3
Country: Eastern Canada
Must-try dish: Lobster Roll
Seating: Walk up counter with indoor & outdoor seating (St Lawrence Market Stand)
The high: One bite of lobster evoked warm and happy memories of Halifax and the East Coast. Can the Atlantic bubble burst soon?!
The low: Since Buster’s Sea Cove is only a stall, there’s little East Coast character apart from the food itself. 

Everyone knows that the best lobster in the world comes from North America’s East Coast, specifically from Nova Scotia. Maybe there’s a bias since both Mat and Andrea spent several years studying and living in Halifax, but all things considered, there’s no denying that the seafood from the Maritimes is world class. 

It’s for this reason that an afternoon sampling delights from the Atlantic ocean at Buster’s Sea Cove in St. Lawrence Market was long overdue. The restaurant is a stall at the back of the building, so unfortunately there isn’t much atmosphere transporting you to a quaint seaside restaurant filled with the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. 

But, there’s some excellent seafood. Here’s what was on the menu for the day:

New England Clam Chowder (Small): This is a classic. It’s creamy, thick and rich, therefore the small portion is usually enough for one person. This batch lacked enormous flavour, but we wouldn’t be deterred from ordering it again next time. 

Handmade Crab Cakes: There are two pucks per order that are served with fries or salad. Although they aren’t the best we ever had, they were crispy on the outside, while maintaining a warm and moist inside. Often crab cakes can be dry, and these certainly were not. A smoked aioli is included for dipping, and is well worth it. 

East Coast Lobster Roll: Both the restaurant and Mandrea Bike’s favourite, this sandwich is stuffed with chunks of fresh lobster between two buttery pieces of toasted bread. Other than a squirt of lemon, no other condiments are needed to dress the meat. As far as lobster rolls go in Toronto, this is the closest you’ll get to having it in the Maritimes. 

There are a variety of other items from the sea available on Buster’s menu to suit any seafood lover’s palate, but no matter what, go for the lobster roll! 

For those of you feeling the nostalgia for the East Coast, we leave you with this:

Eat with you soon,

Mandrea Bile
(Mat & Andrea)