Gulp!

May 5, 2009 5:14 PM

Where to eat raw oysters (and other food challenges) in New York City this Friday night?

It's my birthday Friday night and I'd like to eat something I've never eaten before. I was thinking of raw oysters? I will have somewhere between 6 and 10 people with me, around 10 or 11pm. Do you know and love a place with a delicious, not-too-expensive raw bar in NYC? Downtown Manhattan is ideal but anywhere in Manhattan or Brooklyn is possible.

Alternately, suggest another food challenge anywhere in the five boroughs! Although I don't have much experience with raw shellfish I am generally an ambitious eater and welcome any food adventures (whole pig? sea urchin?) that can be had for a reasonable price.

posted by Mender to food & drink (14 comments total)

There's always the famous Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant ("Below sea level in Grand Central Station").
posted by ericb at 5:19 PM on May 5

Also -- Pearl Oyster Bar and Ed's Lobster Bar (with raw bar) in the West Village.

BTW -- last year the two owners settled a lawsuit involving the two eateries.
posted by ericb at 5:26 PM on May 5

Aquagrill in Soho.
posted by lalex at 5:38 PM on May 5

I love Pearl and it is fairly reasonable.
posted by Lame_username at 5:45 PM on May 5

Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar in the village has gotten rave reviews from friends (I've never been).

Balthazar also has a great selection of raw seafood.
posted by saladin at 6:12 PM on May 5

I like Mary's Fish Camp and Blue Water Grill (though Blue Water might be too expensive).
posted by Evangeline at 6:18 PM on May 5

Not answering your question, but providing encouragement. Please do yourself the favor of eating raw oysters. They are like eating the ocean, in a good way. If it's something you've never done before and need an occasion to do it, this would be perfect. Just choose a reputable place, and don't play it cheap. I can't explain how much I love raw oysters, but I think that everyone else should love them as much as I do. A spritz of lemon is all they need. Enjoy!
posted by mollweide at 6:31 PM on May 5 [1 favorite has favorites]

There's a bunch of great recommendations for places to initiate yourself into the path of the oyster, so I'll just add a tip (from someone who used to think oysters were noxious and now just about lives for them): When you're getting started with oysters, think of them the as kind of the same thing as doing shots, a fun, exciting tribal activity that makes everyone feel alive and just the slightest bit rebellious. It's great that you're going to be there with a group; the social factor of lifting your bivalves together and slurping them down like luscious, briny slugs of tequila can help you get past any initial" ewwww slimey!" feelings. Happy birthday and have fun!
posted by mostlymartha at 6:58 PM on May 5

Besides Aquagrill, there's Blue Ribbon, on Sullivan St., which has a raw bar. And Lure Fishbar, under the Prada store at Mercer and Prince.
posted by nicwolff at 8:53 PM on May 5

Blue Ribbon! Not only can you sample raw oysters, you can try their roasted bone marrow. A two-fer.
posted by Atom12 at 6:01 AM on May 6

If you are around earlier Lure has a happy hour with $1 oysters from 5-7!

I also adore Ed's and Pearl's.
posted by avex at 6:04 AM on May 6

Fish on Bleeker across from Blind Tiger has a happy hour special every day from 5 to 7: half dozen oysters plus a PBR or red/white wine for 8 dollars. After 7 I believe the half dozen are still 8 bucks, you just dont' get the booze. Their oysters are fantastic. That's Bleeker between close to 7th

In Greenpoint on Greenpoint Ave between Franklin Kent there is a place that has half price oyster happy hour every day. Can't remember the name of the joint.

Seconding the Oyster Bar in Grand Central. Very good.

On 23rd near Madison Square Park is Live Bait which has oysters but is kinda meh. Although, Shake Shack is right across the street soooooooooo
posted by spicynuts at 11:33 AM on May 6

Also, following up on avex's mention of Lure, see this article in the NYTimes today about burgers...this club ranks them 13th in the city. There are few things in life better than a half dozen oysters, a damn good burger, four or five fresh pints and good friends.
posted by spicynuts at 12:36 PM on May 6

All great suggestions (Aquagrill has the biggest variety of oysters, Lure has a decent variety but the shuckers aren't that great, Balthazar and Blue Ribbon are wonderful but have a smaller variety as well).

However, I'm wondering about the feasibility of 6-10 people on a Friday night. Are you planning on standing at the bar (the bar at Blue Ribbon gets really crowded)? Or do you want a table? A table is going to be really difficult, unless you have reservations and not all of the places listed can even accommodate a party of ten people. They're all pretty popular and on the smaller side, aside from Grand Central's Oyster Bar.
posted by kathryn at 4:19 PM on May 6