Exceptional cuisine seems like a big concept, right? But when you want to visit an elegant and classy restaurant that provides the finest ingredients and attention to detail, you need to seek excellence. That’s just the way the world works.

At Mission + Market, we take pride in being a staple of elegance and refinement in Atlanta’s food scene. Today, we’ll explore one of our best dishes: creamy lobster bisque, a smooth, creamy, and highly seasoned soup made with crustaceans. 

This delicious soup comes straight from French cuisine, and, as you might expect, lobster is the main ingredient. Its creamy texture and rich flavors will be a delight for any seafood lover out there. 

From its unique characteristics to its journey across the world, we’ll pay homage to the creamy lobster bisque, one of the finest dishes we offer at Mission + Market.

courtesy of daenskitchen.com

Unique Characteristics

Let’s start with the most basic question in the book. What is bisque?

In simple terms, bisque is a creamy, smooth, and highly seasoned soup made with crushed crustaceans to maximize the flavor.

Although the earliest versions of bisque were made with crayfish in the 17th Century, lobster became the main protein of the dish over time. That way, lobster bisque was born in the coastal regions of France.

Between the 19th and 20th Century, lobster bisque made its way into the United States, particularly to the Northeastern region, where it evolved by incorporating local flavors and ingredients. 

During that period, various influences of French cuisine gained popularity in the US, and lobster bisque became a staple of upscale restaurant menus. It’s definitely a favorite among sea lovers!

As mentioned earlier, this is no regular soup, and we’re about to tell you why. The unique characteristics of creamy lobster bisque make it extremely special.

• Aromatic seasonings: the variety of seasonings—such as tarragon, thyme, bay leaf, and cognac—used to prepare creamy lobster bisque makes it stand out from other meals. 
• Creamy texture: as its name proclaims, this dish’s creamy texture is rich, velvety, and smooth, making it a culinary delight. The texture is achieved using cream, thickening agents like roux or rice, and pureed lobster shells.
• Strong lobster flavor: the intensity of the lobster flavor in a bisque comes from the process of simmering the lobster shells to extract the essence and incorporate chunks of fresh lobster meat.
• Possible variations: even though the French style is the foundation of this dish, modern interpretations have incorporated other influences, such as Creole, Asian, and Mediterranean cuisines, with ingredients like cayenne, lemongrass, and saffron.
• Elegant presentation: this dish is a marvel to look at. Lobster bisque is often served in an elegant bowl garnished with fresh herbs or a delicate lobster claw to add a touch of refinement. 

Creamy Lobster Bisque Recipe

Although it might seem a bit challenging at first, we assure you that you can easily create this recipe if you pay special attention to detail and follow the instructions step by step. At the end of the day, much of this recipe lies on technique rather than experience.

Ingredients:

• 2 lobsters (1 1/2 to 2 pounds each)
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 4 cups seafood stock 
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons flour
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh chives or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Cook the lobsters.

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add the lobsters and cook for about 8-10 minutes until they are bright red.
• Remove the lobsters from the pot and let them cool.
• Extract the meat from the claws and tails, chop it into bite-sized pieces, and set aside.
• Reserve the shells for the stock.

2. Make the stock.

• In the same pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
• Add the lobster shells, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and the shells are slightly browned, for about 10 minutes.
• Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes.
• Add the white wine, seafood stock, bay leaf, thyme, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if you’re using it).
• Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl, pressing down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.

3. Prepare the bisque.

• In a clean pot, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
• Stir in the flour to make a roux, cooking until it turns a light golden color, for about 2 minutes.
• Gradually whisk in the strained lobster stock, ensuring no lumps form.
• Bring to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, for about 10 minutes.

4. Finish the bisque.

• Stir in the heavy cream and simmer for another 5 minutes.
• Add the reserved lobster meat and heat through.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Serve.

• Ladle the bisque into bowls.
• Garnish with chopped chives or parsley.
• Serve hot with crusty bread on the side.

We have just shown the classic recipe for creamy lobster bisque, but you can easily find several variations on this dish online. 

Exceptional Culinary Experience: Eating Creamy Lobster Bisque at Mission + Market

Over time, creamy lobster bisque has become a signature dish on our menu, given the high number of customers who enjoy it. Crafted with attention to detail and care, this velvety, cream-based has transformed into a must-try for seafood lovers.

At Mission + Market, we prepare the creamy lobster bisque with selected aromatic herbs and spices, creating a luxurious experience for our customers. But that’s not the only thing that makes the dish luxurious. The restaurant’s atmosphere has been carefully planned so that our diners can enjoy an exceptional dining experience.

After all, we believe the dining experience is just as important as the food itself, so we pay special attention to every detail. Our goal is to leave a lasting impression on our customers and, hopefully, have them return in the near future.

Conclusion: Savor the Sea with This Delicious Soup

For all the reasons mentioned above, we strongly recommend trying creamy lobster bisque along with other great options on our lunch menu. 

Whether you’re a seafood lover or not, the creamy lobster bisque’s unmistakable and strong flavors will leave a good impression on your palate. If you don’t believe us, come visit us at the Three Alliance Center, where you’ll enjoy eating exceptional cuisine and relaxing in an elegant atmosphere at Mission + Market.