Ed's Lobster Bar, Manhattan

New York City native Ed McFarland had never eaten a lobster until he was seventeen, but growing up in a family that was passionate about gardening and good food fostered his love of all things home-grown and delicious. Edac2s humble beginnings in Staten Island pizzeria kitchens were soon overshadowed as he moved on to work in some of New Yorkac2s most esteemed restaurants. He graduated from the French Culinary Institute in 1995 and quickly began learning from some of New Yorkac2s best, including Sotha Kuhn at Le Cirque and Dave Pasternak at Terence Brennanac2s Picholine. As he began to master cooking techniques, he became drawn to the delicateness and simplicity of seafood and eventually settled down at West Village mainstay Pearl Oyster Bar, where he worked as sous chef for over six years and deepened his knowledge of New England cuisine and Northeast seafood culture. In 2007, Edac2s long-awaited dream became a reality. Edac2s Lobster Bar is the culmination of his years of study and apprenticeship combined with his family food experiences and dedication to garden fresh produce. Using his own home-grown vegetables and herbs in the summer months and drawing from his Italian heritage for specials like lobster meatballs, Ed has created a truly unique spin on New England seafood.