Pinchy’s Lobster & Rawbar — Restaurant in Boerne

I was so excited for this restaurant to open. We have been looking for NE style seafood for a long time! Now they are new just opened so I want that to be taken in consideration here and some of my gripes are purely me being picky. I have been a Chef, Sous Chef, Executive Chef, Restaurant Manager and Owner with many many years experience and formally trained in classical French cuisine. So with that being said I get picky. So we arrive for our reservation for 2 and the dining area is very small but looks good. We get sat at a 4 top by the door with 2 other 2 tops open. Now when I say by the door I mean just a few inches from the door with guests, servers and runners all using very often. So I quickly ask if we can move to an open 2 top. After a couple minutes of deliberation the 2 hostesses allow us to move to the 2 top next to the bathrooms. I get it, it's a small place, but when you own something so small you really need to look at guest experience and spend time personally at each table to see how it feels. Picky item #1 probably not a big deal to most. Pickey item #2, the acoustics inside are rough. It is very hard to hear the soft spoken server and each other to carry on a conversation during dinner which is what my wife and I really enjoy about going out together. Again maybe not a big deal to most. The server was ok, seemed very green which is a little expected but was just, ok. Now let's talk turkey. The food. The crab wonton were very good, small one biters so not much there to share, but very good. Potato skins kinda sucked. Needed seasoning the cheese was a strong white cheddar it seamed and just didn't fit well. There was little cheese and a small bit of bacon crumble on the deep fried skins and that's it. Next is most likely a touchy subject for some but it is the clam chowder. It says right in the description now your usual gravy like clam chowder so they do warn you. But with that being said, I have made countless batches of clam chowder and NEVER has it been gravy like. So their chowder base is clam juice and small amount of cream. But the problem with not adding a binder like a roux, the cream separates and you get a kind of gross clam juice stock like broth with curdled cream floating on top. Put a binding agent in it and that stops everything nasty from happening. It was ok flavor needed a but more. Fish sandwich, HADDOCK, what we came for because you cannot get haddock around TX. Fish sandwich was good. Breaded haddock, was expecting battered but it was very good. Fries/chips were pretty good as well. Then fish and chips, shouldn't think it would be too much different from the sandwich. Fish n chips haddock again which is a win, but battered also a win. Except the batter was chewy, rubbery. Made the fish rather unpleasant. The biscoff cheesecake was the winner of the night. It was VERY good. So all in all we had an ok time. Expectations were not met but maybe set too high. Again, I am picky. I will say the Chef was doing table touches which was very nice to see! We will let them get their sea legs and be back to try again in a few month. The outdoor areas were spectacular looking and next time we will be trying sushi and lobster. Maybe that's what we should have aimed for this time around. Good job Pincheys, we are happy you're here just some early opening jitters...

Update:

Been there a couple times now. Most recent was a party of 4x on weekday for dinner. Still mixed emotions. First the good: The food was rated as very good to excellent. Service was still friendly, and fortunately much faster (though they were barely 1/4 full). Now the not so good: Food is still expensive for what you get (that is probably not going to change). According to the server, they still cross contaminate (supposedly their kitchen is too small to not cross contaminate...again, in this day and age that makes one wonder). The daily special (one of the few cooked items that is not cross contaminated) was already sold out (we arrived at 6:50pm). This is a planning issue. So if you have a shellfish/iodine allergy, anything that is fried (ie fish/chips) might be cause for concern. Additionally, we were told that one of their items that is not cross contaminated is probably going off the menu in the near future due to lack of interest (but, that item was also sold out that night, so...it must not be that unpopular) That would further limit choices for someone with shellfish food allergies. If you don't have allergies, then Pinchy's is certainly a viable (but a bit more expensive) option.

Original post: Party of 5x on a Thursday evening. Mixed emotions about this one. Service was friendly, but not particularly fast. Food was very good, but expensive for what you get. Unfortunately, the server warned us of the possibility of some cross-contamination of allergins in their cooking due to only having two fryers/cook stations at the time we visited (that really is not acceptable in today's age...hopefully this will fixed soon). One of our party is alergic to shellfish (lobster, crab, crawfish)...that severly limited the choices due to potential cross-contamination, as the server didn't know completely what was and what wasn't done in each cook station. Fortunately, we were told the clams were definitely done in a different station, so that worked out this time (and they were very good). With that said, if you have some seafood allergies, you might want to find out what else is prepared in the same station as the shellfish. Other food was generally rated as very good, and they have a nice selection of sushi. The fries though were a disappointment as they were soggy and barely room temperature. As for atmosphere, they have done a nice job fixing up the outside to cater...

Pinchy's Lobster and Raw Bar: A Boerne Gem You Can't Miss! Nestled in the heart of Boerne, Pinchy's Lobster and Raw Bar is an absolute culinary delight that consistently exceeds expectations. From the moment you step in, you're greeted with a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere that perfectly complements the incredible food and drinks on offer. Let's talk about the lobster rolls – they are, without a doubt, the best I've had outside of New England. Whether you're a fan of the warm, buttery Connecticut-style or the cool, mayo-dressed Maine-style, Pinchy's nails both. The lobster is incredibly fresh, sweet, and piled high, making every bite a little piece of heaven. But Pinchy's isn't just about the classics; their sushi rolls are a testament to their creativity and skill. The Angry Tuna offers a perfect kick without overwhelming the delicate flavors of the fish, while the Cheeto's Flaming roll is an unexpectedly brilliant and deliciously bold creation that you simply have to try to believe. These aren't just sushi rolls; they're edible works of art. And what's a fantastic meal without a superb drink? Their Lobsterman Old Fashioned is a masterclass in mixology – a perfectly balanced cocktail that's both refreshing and robust, an ideal accompaniment to any dish. Beyond the incredible food and drinks, Pinchy's offers an experience that truly embraces the Boerne spirit. It's wonderfully pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along to enjoy the lively patio. And for the perfect end to your meal, after indulging in their delectable blueberry cobbler, you can take a leisurely stroll across the street to the river, soaking in the charming Boerne scenery. Pinchy's Lobster and Raw Bar is more than just a restaurant; it's a destination. The impeccable food, the innovative drinks, the warm ambiance, and the pet-friendly vibe make it a must-visit in Boerne. You'll leave planning your next visit before you've even finished...