Select Oyster Bar – No.20
September 30, 2019
No.20?  Why straight to Select Oyster Bar?  Where are 23, 22 and 21? We have a reason for skipping 3 restaurants.  We’re running out of time! On top of that, we’ve already visited, or are about to visit, other restaurants by the same chefs.  So we’re getting selective – no slight on the restaurants and if we do have time we will hit them later.
Onto Select Oyster Bar – We have been here three times now and have managed to sit in a different area each time.  The main restaurant, a high top shared table and the bar itself.  Each time we’ve had great service by fun and  friendly staff and the atmosphere has been lively.
Once again we’re in the land of oysters – and we think oysters are the perfect way to start a meal.. Â They have a great selection of oysters at Select, from the very familiar Island Creeks, to some that we haven’t tried before; Mookie Blues and Glidden Point oysters from the Damariscotta River in Maine, and Clark’s favourite of the day, Mant’s landing oysters from Brewster (in the Cape Cod bay) – briny, clean and with a sweet finish is the best way to describe them. Â
We’re attempting to fill up on as many oysters as possible before we have to leave Boston. Â We have never lived anywhere as good as this for oysters and so whenever they’re an option, we’re going to take it.
Being a menu that is predominately fish and seafood, we stuck to the theme for our main courses. Â I opted for the Bouillabaisse Select – an intensely flavoured seafood broth, served with a crostini topped with saffron aioli (great for soaking up the broth). Â There was so much seafood and fish in the dish; muscles, salmon, clams, giant prawns, swordfish and halibut (I think?) – absolutely delicious. Â Clark decided on the warm lobster roll, a dish that Boston is well known for. Â He was not disappointed and even said this is the best lobster roll he’s ever had. Â Warning! Â It’s only available at lunch time!
We’ve been three times – I think that says it all. Â Great food, great staff, great atmosphere. Â And great cocktails.
My final thought, a quote printed on the back of the staff t-shirts:
“The first man gets the oyster, the second man gets the shell” –Â Andrew Carnegie – 19th century steel tycoon, business magnate and philanthropist.
