NYC Tastes

NYC is filled to the brim with oyster happy hours. If you happen to love Blue Point oysters then your golden, that's the oyster of choice at 90% of these happy hour spots.  But if you don't love Blue Points and crave a different selection of East and West Coast at a reasonable price, then head to Zadie's Oyster Room in the East Village. This bright, cherry little spot on East 12th has a small but excellent list of both wine and beer with $1.50 Chefs Choice Oyster and sparkling beverages half price from 5:00-7:00 each day. I've had everything from Big Rock Petite of Cape Cod to Moonstone of Rhode Island and Fanny Bay of British Columbia.   In addition to the oysters Zadie's has some wonderful small plates perfect for sharing like the Deviled Eggs with bottarga and creamy Smoked Trout Pate served with thick sliced brown bread.  This is the perfect spot for just about any seafood lover be it date night, solo or with a group of friends.  Zadie's neve...

Monday is easily the most underrated day of the week.  It signals the start of work which can bring dread for many folks.  But it also signals the start of a new beginning!  A chance to put whatever happened last Monday in the past and start of a bright, positive new perspective. So it's really a day we should all celebrate and Bo's Kitchen & Bar is the perfect place to do just that with their fantastic Monday night happy hour. This New Orleans inspired bar in the Flatiron District serves up $5 Bo's Lager, $7 Wines and Specialty Cocktails like the savory Boss Lady Thyme with St. German and fig jam for just $10 all night long on Mondays. In addition to the fabulous drinks Bo's boasts juicy Double LaFrieda Burgers and fries for $7.50, creamy Thai Curry Mussels with coconut milk and fresh oysters for just a buck a piece.  With specials this good it's hard to be down on Monday's any more.  Time to celebrate instead. Bo's Restaurant 6 West 24th Street Ne...

There's no shortage of oyster happy hours in the city but for a truly great  experience I highly recommend heading to Zadie's, Chef Marco Canora's cozy little spot in the East Village. From 5:00-7:00 Monday thru Friday a selection of drinks are offered for half price including a choice of red, white, sparkling, fortified, cider or beer and a rotating daily oyster.  On my last visit I enjoyed a wonderful Melon de Bourgogne paired with some creamy Big Rock Petite oysters from Massachusetts. In addition to the incredible happy hour Zadie's boasts seven different oyster preparations including baked, steamed, pickled, fried and poached.   Each style comes with a variety of toppings and there are also larger plates like Crab Cake Sliders and Clam Chowder for those looking for more than just slurping bivalves. Save room for a little something sweet at the end; each meal closes out with an oyster shell filled with salt water taffy. Zadie's Oyster Bar 413 East 12th ...

Mr.T and I love Upstate Oyster Bar.  The food is fantastic, the small space cozy and inviting plus there's free cake for dessert!  So when the duo opened up sister restaurant Edwin & Neal's right around the corner I knew we had to stop in for a full dinner. Oysters to begin... a great variety of plump/creamy and small/sweet.  The clams were exactly as clams usually are...kind of gross.  Mr. T's orders them about once every two years firmly declaring his love for the bivalvia then recoiling in disgust after one bite.  I remind him each time but he never listens.  Check back sometime in 2018 for the next clam debate.  Entrees include more seafood options like crispy fried Fish Tacos with guacamole, grilled Salmon and this incredible Sea Bass lightly seasoned with lemon, herbs and butter. It was light and summery served alongside a creamy corn polenta dusted with brussels sprout. ...