Pearl Oyster Bar
(212) 691-8211
18 Cornelia St
New York,
NY
10014
40.7314
-74.0014
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Greenwich Village
What People Are Saying About Pearl Oyster Bar
The Editor
Allison Austin
Citysearch
The Scene
Thanks to an expansion into the storefront next door, the restaurant is twice the size it was when it opened in 1997. No matter--it's still always packed with happy neighbors, casual daters and friends catching up. Proof of the general conviviality of the place: Seats at the bar are most coveted.
The Food
Seafood lovers will have a hard time ordering the wrong thing--it's all done just right. Start with fried oysters, served atop a spot of homemade tartar sauce inside the oyster shells. Offered as an entree, perfectly caramelized seared scallops make a fine starter as well. The bouillabaisse is fine, though it's a bit too mussel-filled; a bowl of steamed clams in butter-clam-wine broth is better. The lobster roll can't be missed--chef and owner Rebecca Charles still makes the best one in town. Dessert--a homey, seasonal pie or cobbler--rounds out the meal perfectly.
User Reviews
Tbonedelux
February 07, 2009
Being a huge fan of the Lobster roll... the search is always on in NYC to get a taste of summer. After being strongly recommended by fans, we decided to drop in. Promptly at 6 pm we thought we would be able to grab a seat at the bar, but instead took cue on the curb. Mildy warm for February, we waited the ten minutes outside for a seat before they opened their doors. The Sav blanc was your average but not a great selection. Crab cake was good but overpowered by the mayo-slaw which was, well mayo. Being rushed by the almost theatrical staf f was a litle stressful, I get it that the entire restaurant was seated in a matter of seconds and they have to turn it over, but it was a little much.... I recommend not going for the early bird as we did (especially when u get stared down by waiting patrons.).. Then-- the highly anticipated LOBSTER ROLL , was good , but sooo much mayo & salt that I felt like I was at McDonalds. The shoe string fries were great, hot and pefect, but I won't go back for this much praised lobster roll. There are way to many fish in the sea, I'd rather not soak them in mayo....
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caylowenstein
November 19, 2008
I don't know what restaurant the previous reviewer went to but it wasn't Pearl Oyster Bar--they don't have any MEAT! LOL! Idiots! Pearl is far and away our favorite restaurant in New York and still a bargain--where else can you get sublime clam chowder under $10? Addicted to the fried oysters; all others are judged by this standard. Mussels are also amazing--ask for bread, though. The other night we had a whole grilled bass that was simply incredible and pan fried skate, sweet, juicy and delicious.
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kendrickbreeden
November 12, 2008
I give this place 3.5 stars.. Although the ambience, the service and the decor was great, the food actually was a bit of a letdown.. not that it was bad, but it was just OK and not very memorable surprisingly.. I would've given it 4 stars, but for the price of the dinner, we expected to be blown away.. My friend had fish, which he thought was pretty dry and I had some kind of meat and to be honest, I don't even remember it and this was only a month ago..
read full reviewThe Details on Pearl Oyster Bar
Know Before You Go:
The restaurant doesn't take reservations and lines are often long, so patience is a virtue you'll need during the busiest times.
What to Drink:
A short list of very affordable wines is available, as well as three draft beers: Guinness and a rotating pilsner and amber.
Category:
Payment Methods:
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, People Watching, Lunch Spot, Dine At The Bar
