Lobster roll flights under $50 land at 317 Main Street, Driftwood Boardwalk Eatery

If there’s a meal that evokes summer on Long Island, it’s the lobster roll. The decadent roll filled with tender meat is a local favorite; the perfect delicacy to have before, during or after a trip to the beach. 

New this summer: The roll comes bite-sized.

Two Long Island restaurants have added new lobster flights to their menus, featuring smaller versions of the stuffed, split top-roll with a variety of toppings. Can't decide between the cold or hot roll? Now you don't have to.

Driftwood Boardwalk Eatery

Boardwalk, 1 Grand Blvd., Long Beach

Driftwood started offering lobster roll flights this year after a successful introduction of full-sized lobster rolls on the menu last summer, owner Remy Watts said. Driftwood is already going through 100 pounds of lobster a week, he said, between lobster rolls and flights.

"The lobster rolls were such a success, one of the biggest questions that I got was which one should I try or which one should I get," Watts said. "I came across these mini-buns and I was like this is perfect, a little sampler platter."

Mix and match three of the four available flavors to create a $45 flight, which comes with a choice of fries or coleslaw. Each portion comes with 2 ounces of lobster meat.

Flavors available are Maine-style, with cold lobster, mayo, celery and lemon juice; Connecticut-style,with warm lobster and melted butter; the "angry style," with warm lobster, melted butter and hot honey, and for those who want to spice it up a little more, there is the "crunchy spicy style," with cold lobster, Japanese spicy mayo, scallions and tempura flakes. We recommend the "angry style," as the hot honey and melted butter make an irresistible pair. More info: 516-432-5269, driftwoodlbny.com

317 Main Street

317 Main St., Farmingdale

Last year, it was a 3-foot lobster roll for this popular gastropub. Now, it’s the lobster roll flights. 317 Main Street started offering flights earlier this month, and they're already selling between 10 and 20 per day, owner Eric LeVine said. 

"It’s a nice light summer way to taste different flavors," he said.

The $48 flight includes five mouthwatering flavors: the traditional, with lemon and mayo; a truffle flavor, with truffle aioli and shaved black truffles; and the tajin, BBQ seasoned with fried onions. There's also the avocado lobster salad, a perfect combination of fresh, light and satisfying. Each flight includes 2 ounces of lobster meat. More info: 516-512-5317, 317mainstreet.com