Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar

(212) 253-7848

101 2ND Ave
New York, NY 10003 40.7273 -73.9888

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Neighborhoods: East Village, Downtown

Price:

$$$

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Diners Club, Discover, Visa, Money Order, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Food Delivery, Dine At The Bar

Cuisine:

Seafood, Sushi

What People Are Saying About Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar

Featured Review

Kathleen Squires

Contributor

In Short – Many hearts were broken when this eatery moved from a cozy townhouse to a more generic storefront. But while the clandestine, romantic feel may no longer be there, the gingham wallpaper is, as are the popular raw bar selections and signature fruits de mer platter. The rest of the menu has been revised to feature gentler prices and more casual small plates, like lobster knuckle chowder, salmon tartare, lobster profiteroles and s'mores for dessert.

Editor's Tips

Save Money:
Several omakase (chef's choice) menus are available: $30 buys a sushi or sashimi tasting; the sushi/sashimi combo is $45.
Know Before You Go:
Reservations are not taken, so be prepared to wait at peak times.
The Extras:
Try nearby sister restaurant Degustation.
Know Before You Go:
The $50 tasting menu includes four courses.
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. The waiters are all very knowledgable about wine pairing and chose a great sauternes to go with the chocolate dessert.
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. The waiters are all very knowledgable about wine pairing and chose a great sauternes to go with the chocolate dessert.
food quality
87.5% positive
  1. Excellent food and neighborhood spot
  2. The oysters are fresh and the best tasting I have ever had.
  3. The food is decent, it passes for Japanese.
  4. One of the best sushi spots hands down!
  5. Dozen after dozen of fresh oysters come to you and you can never have enough.
  6. Service is slow, food is slow to come.
  7. Truly a unique experience that I would highly recommend to anyone who appreciates quality sushi!
  8. Excellent service, freshest fish, delicately prepared.
service
100.0% positive
  1. Excellent service, freshest fish, delicately prepared.
  2. The waiters are all very knowledgable about wine pairing and chose a great sauternes to go with the chocolate dessert.
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. Service is slow, food is slow to come.
4 Star Rating: Recommended

06/01/10

Excellent food and neighborhood spot

by gaiamcraft

I came here last summer with a small group, and this place did indeed take reservations. Unfortunately we had none, and the place was reserved and/or packed for its extremely tiny atmosphere. Yet 3 minutes later the waitress was squeezing us in, although right by the door, to our pleasant surprise and gratitude.

The food is small but each bite bursts with flavour. The wine list is small but has a great selection. The oysters are fresh and the best tasting I have ever had.

This place is very easy to miss, but it's right off of the corner street. It's really a treat to dine here and I can't wait to go back.

  • Pros: food, oysters, wine
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/13/06

Intimate, Romantic, and Delicious

by ghoulfiend

Foie gras, malpeques, and these little griled cheese sandwich appetizers that will slay you dead. Dozen after dozen of fresh oysters come to you and you can never have enough. The waiters are all very knowledgable about wine pairing and chose a great sauternes to go with the chocolate dessert. Fantastic. I have been there several times and will continue to go again and again.

  • Pros: Excellent seafood, knowledgable waitstaff, intimate setting
  • Cons: Grilled cheese appetizer is not actually on menu but given as a token by the chef
4 Star Rating: Recommended

07/20/06

The good old time

by robino35

Once you have tried few "great" Japanese restaurants, you will realize that the best are always the small ones with little decoration. Of course, if all the customers are Japanese, there is no brainer. JBK reminds me about Tomoe sushi, my first Japanese restaurant in the USA. IT is a little smaller than I have expected, but service and food are excellent. If you enjoy sushi that literately melt in your month, JBK is for you. If you are looking for celebrites, loud noise, and big crowd, JBK is not for you.

3 Star Rating: Average

02/20/06

Disturbingly Expensive

by sushi_search

What is everyone talking about?! The prices are obscene just like Jewel Bako. The sashimi/sushi was fresh but nothing special. I tried a huge variety of rolls and was not impressed. Though, on the plus side, our waiter/manager was extremely polite. Stay away from this tiny, tiny place unless all other sushi joints in NYC are closed.

  • Pros: polite manager
  • Cons: Way too expensive
4 Star Rating: Recommended

11/28/05

Great Value, No Hassle

by sko150

Have always wanted to try this place, but walking buy the rolls and sushi looked a bit pricey. Leaving town soon, so thought I would suck it up. To our surprize you could order a giant roll as your dinner. Add a few pieces of 'melt in your mouth' sushi and you have a delicious no hassle meal (comparible to Blue Ribbon) for $35. Granted it was Monday night, we felt like we could have sat there for hours and not be rushed out. I can imagine the restaurant getting crowded on the weekends as it consists of only about 10 seats at the bar and 14 seats in the main dining room. A . Hahahhomeless boozed up man did waltz in during our meal - not unexpected in the East Village - but he was quickly and politely hussled out by the wait staff.

  • Pros: Good Value, Quality Sushi
  • Cons: 4 max in group

The Details on Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar

Place Categories:

  • decent food
  • fresh oysters
  • unique experience
  • excellent service
  • unhappy staff
  • great sauternes
  • excellent neighborhood spot
  • excellent freshest fish
  • best sushi
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