Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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Guide devour the world is your oyster bar FIND HAPPINESS ON THE HALF SHELL AT THESE DIVINE SEAFOOD SPOTS. by melanie lieberman B&G Oysters A d view of Salem Harbor. aily selection of more than a dozen oysters from both coasts, served with prosecco mignonette, guarantees that every diner will have the perfect bivalve. Servers are also well versed in the best wines to complement them. 550 Tremont St., 617-423- 0550; bandgoysters.com Cru W ith a view of Nantucket Harbor, Cru, in the former Rope Walk spot, stocks 12 oyster varieties from both coasts. Expect seasonal dishes from executive chef and partner Erin Zircher, such as king salmon crudo with green harissa, cucumber, and lime. 1 Straight Wharf, Nantucket, 508-228-9278; crunantucket.com East Coast Grill & Raw Bar L ocal oysters get dressed with house-pickled ginger, soy sauce, and fresh wasabi, and there is always a rotating "guest" oyster. The brunch menu offers specials like baked barbecue oysters with bacon, herb butter and cornbread. 1271 Cambridge St., 617-491- 6568; eastcoastgrill.net Finz Seafood & Grill A t Finz diners can enjoy innova- tive raw bar selections—such as oysters with a splash of Stoli Razberi, topped with wasabi tobiko caviar, or sake oyster shooters with ginger and cucum- ber—while taking in a spectacular 128 bostoncommon-magazine.com 76 Wharf St., Salem, 978-744- 8485; hipfinz.com Island Creek Oyster Bar T his bustling Kenmore Square eatery is best known for its extensive raw bar menu, and warmer weather also brings Maryland softshell crabs into season. Halibut ceviche with grapefruit, horseradish, and cucumber or the chile, orange, and sesame salmon crudo are inventive additions. 500 Commonwealth Ave., 617-532- 5300; islandcreekoysterbar.com Legal Harborside A t Legal Seafoods' new outpost, you can enjoy the panoramic view of Boston Harbor from the first-floor raw bar, while a fishmonger and oyster shuckers prepare your seafood selections to order. Oysters have their own menu, detailing their port of origin and unique flavor profiles. 270 Northern Ave., Liberty Wharf, 617-477-2900; legalseafoods.com Mare Oyster Bar M are Natural reopened in February as Mare Oyster Bar; the new raw bar displays the fresh offerings along with a shucking station. Oysters on the half shell are served with limoncello ice and blood-orange mignonette, with more varieties coming in summer. 135 Richmond St., 617-723-6273; mareoysterbar.com Naked Oyster Bistro & Raw Bar T his trendy Hyannis restaurant offers the Cape Cod Jewel straight from its oyster farm in Barnstable Harbor. Diners can enjoy shucked-to-order oysters, or choose from six baked oyster preparations, as well as fresh oysters on the half shell with a variety of dressings. 410 Main St., Hyannis, 508-778- 6500; nakedoyster.com Neptune Oyster W hile you will certainly find an impressive variety of shrimp and oysters, it is Neptune Oyster's unique raw bar selections, such as razor clams and octopus, that will entice your palette. Twelve oyster varieties are on hand at all times and served with a prosecco mignonette and cocktail sauce with horseradish. 63 Salem St., 617-742-3474; neptuneoyster.com Smith & Wollensky S mith & Wollensky's new waterfront location is an ideal spot to enjoy the restaurant's Famous Shellfish Bouquet: a stack of jumbo shrimp, chilled lobster and crab meat, oysters, and clams, complemented by an array of sauces and sherry mignonette. Try any of the four oyster varieties raw, or order the Buffalo fried oysters with crumbled blue cheese. 294 Congress St., Atlantic Wharf, 617-778-2200; smithandwollensky.com BC Shell Out mare oyster bar's owner Frank depasquale cracks open the mystery of boston's best bivalves. Oysters and shellfish mingle at Island Creek Oyster Bar. Do you prefer your oysters naked or dressed? i'm a very simple guy—i like a touch of limoncello ice or a squeeze of lemon. What's your favorite oyster? island creek or Wellfleet. really all cool- water, east coast oysters. What do you sip when you slurp oysters? mionetto prosecco brut d.o.c. from Veneto, italy, with east coast varieties. it is also wonderful with lobster. Many options are on display at Mare Oyster Bar's raw bar. photography by bobby dimarzo (mare, depasquale); michael piazza (island creek)