Oyster Bar - New York, NY

Posted By Michael Stern on January 21, 2003 6:22 PM

We had forgotten just how great the Oyster Bar at Grand Central Station really is. Great in every respect: beautiful to see with its vaulted tiled ceiling and counter-seat views of the oyster shuckers and pan roasters at work, and amazing in its menu. On June 27, 2002 (the menu is printed and dated every day), there were thirty-one different kinds of raw oysters available at the raw bar!. And oysters are just the beginning. The incredible list of the "day's catch" includes a couple of dozen kinds of fresh fish, many of which are seldom seen on ordinary seafood menus, anywhere. Anyone for whole smelts? How about black cod filet, Arctic char, wolf fish, weakfish, pink snapper, sturgeon steak, or seared hamachi (that's yellowtail).? All were on the menu that one Thursday.

Every day, it is possible to eat totally classically. This kitchen makes fine fish 'n' chips, bouillabaisse, crabcakes, oysters Rockefeller, and fried clams. On a splurgy evening, there's nothing better than its perfectly prepared Dover sole meuniere. If you want shrimp, you can have them grilled, fried in rice batter or coconut, cocktail-cool, or stewed.

Other than raw oysters, probably the best-known thing to eat at the Oyster Bar is one of its pan roasts, which are made up front in the open kitchen where the shuckers work. A pan roast is a buttery soup/stew of seafood, cream, pepper and spice. It is based on the shellfish of your choice and served in a broad bowl.

Whole meals can be very expensive, especially if you get lots of raw oysters, which can cost more than $2 apiece(!) or such pricey items as Copper River king salmon ($27.95) or stone crab claws ($37.95). But it is also possible to have a satisfying lunchtime sandwich for under $10, and the pan roasts range from $9.95 (oysters) to $19.95 (lobster). There is a big wine list and a spectacular round-the-world beer list; and we think the Key lime pie served here for dessert is the best for miles around.

Overall Rating

Manhattan Clam Chowder

Oyster Po Boy

Ipswich Clam Sandwich

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Posted By Colleen Newvine Tebeau on January 24, 2010 9:16 PM

We've been to the Grand Central Oyster Bar a number of times before -- the whispering gallery right outside is a great trick to show out-of-town visitors -- but I never even noticed "pan roast" on the menu. Even if I had, I probably would have thought it was a casserole. Or something else baked.

Thanks to Roadfood, we've seen the light. We endured some of the slowest, most indifferent service I've had in New York but the payoff was worth it. This rich, creamy flavorful soup was absolutely substantial enough to be a meal, especially starting with a half-dozen on the half shell while we waited.

The Oyster Bar is like three totally separate restaurants:
-- walk in and go to the left for a nice upscale-ish dining room.
-- go to the right and you're in a cafeteria-type area with long counters and the thick smell of Old Bay hanging in the air.
-- keep going to the right, walk through a small doorway that looks like it might lead to the bathroom, and you're in a wood-paneled, rowdy bar popular with the after-work crowd.
Before you commit, I suggest walking through all three to test the vibe and see which works for you.

And don't forget to try the whispering gallery if you've never done it:
http://www.newyorkology.com/archives/2005/02/the_whispering_1.php

Overall Rating

pan roast

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Posted By gerald rothstein on April 24, 2004 11:42 AM

Along with a foodie friend, went to the Oyster Bar yesterday with the express purpose of tasting the po'boy sandwich that Michael wrote about not too long ago. I usually sit at the counter and have the fried oysters or oyster pan roast, but my buddy was lusting for the sandwich. While I was waiting for him, I noticed that it wasn't on the menu and also noticed that there were plenty of sit down table available. When we went inside, we went to the maitre 'd who told us there were plenty of twos available. We asked him if we could get the po boy and he said he'd have to check the kitchen. Fair enough. He got off the phone and said, it was fine. When seated we ordered the sandwich and fried oyster platter. The waitress said they don't serve the sandwich in the dining room. We said that we'd checked with the maitre d who checked with the kitchen, etc. She said Ok, but shortly thereafter who returned with another guy who said they don't serve it in the dining room. Explained the whole story to him and he disappeared only to return and say that he'd checked with the general manager who said they couldn't do it or everyone in the dining room would want one (imagine what a disaster that would be! Reminded him that the maitre d had checked with the kitchen and asked him to bring him over. Maitre d comes over and said that he assumed we were asking an academic question, not whether we could actually have the dish. We said that since we were already seated and they made the mistake, why not just serve the dish this once. No, they said, we have our rules and no exception will be made.

Point of all this, is that while the oysters and raw bar are terrific, the service is never very good and this management attitude explains why. Be forewarned.

Overall Rating

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