Grand Central Oyster Bar

After all the hype about this establishment, my family and I were very much looking forward to our first Oyster Bar experience. I called and asked for a table at 6:30 and was told there were tables available at either 7:15 or 7:45. No problem...7:45 seemed perfect. However, when we arrived and checked-in with the Maitre'D, he rather nonchalantly informed us that he had us down for a 7pm table and that our table had been given away. No apology..just an attitude that reeked of "you're screwed"! I was insistent and was told to come back at 8:15. When I did, I got no better response and in fact was told that there was a party of four that had been waiting since 5:00pm. Not exactly what I'd call an advertisement for customer service. Around 8:45, we finally did get a table. As the menu changes everyday, we didn't foresee any problem with marking the one page paper menu with our choices in pen. Wrong again! Our waiter scolded us for marking the menu! Amazing. We finally placed our order and when the food came, we were able to relax a bit. The oysters were very good, as was the rest of the meal. We often had to flag down our waiter for more water or bread. For such a great tasting meal, the Oyster Bar left a bad taste in my mouth. Not a bad choice if you don't mind being treated like a second-class citizen.

We went to dinner and could not believe that the place was so hyped. It was jam packed full of people and clearly understaffed. It took 45 minutes for us to get anything beyond drinks. The oysters rockefeller were not good and the crab soup tasted like cream of mushroom soup out of a can. The worst part was that we paid $75.

Walk in, turn to your right and find a stool. Order the Manhattan Clam Chowder and a side order of creamed spinach. Both will be perfectly prepared - the chowder filled with clams and the spinach flavor sharp and clean. The service is quick and friendly and you can order wine at the counter. Given the quality, the quantity and the price, it's a lunch that can't be beat.

After a rather lukewarm--make that snotty-nosed--reception, we decided to sit in the saloon rather than wait for a table in the main dining room. We ordered a seafood salad (generous) and the barramundi--while the portions were plentiful, the fish and accompaniments weren't hot enough and the sides--mixed vegetables and roast potatoes were ordinary. Our waiter was delightful (and acknowledged the high prices). If a visit to the Oyster Bar is on your list of things to do (as it was on ours), then head to the stools and have a drink and appetizers. It's worth doing once, but probably only once.

We are in the city several times a year and are always looking for somewhere different to eat. We went out one weekday evening with an open mind as to where to dine and ended up at Grand Central Station. We didn't have reservations and were seated immediately. Our waiter was great and very attentive. Our meal was excellent and based on normal NYC restaurant prices, the prices were reasonable. We will definely return.

I took my mother to the Oyster Bar this Friday night for her birthday dinner, as she loves the old New York feel of it. I'd made a reservation for six p.m. for the two of us. There were many empty tables for two when we arrived. The Maitre'D seated us next to a couple that looked like they'd had too much to drink. When I requested a different table, the Maitre'D very coldly and rudely told me the other tables were reserved. When I told him that we'd made a reservation as well, he said he knew that and this was our reserved table. He also told us that they could put us on a wait-list for one of the other tables (which were empty! And remained empty during our meal)! Our waiter was also obnoxious and I think an actor-in-training. And sure enough, during our meal, our neighbors got so drunk that they started making out in front of us. Needless to say, we skipped dessert. I would not recommend eating here for dinner / in the dining room. Only at the counter for lunch.

Went here on a guide book recommendation. It was worth a stop to check it out. Recommend a beer at the bar with an appetiser, though. The food was way overpriced and not just mediocre but bordering on bad. The soup was cold, the mussels some of the worse I have ever had (floating in a grey water...). Service was rude and abrupt. Would not recommend.