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Island Creek Oyster Bar
- Nearest Transit:
-
Kenmore Station Busway (19, 193, 57, 57A, 60, 65, 8, 9)
Kenmore Station - Outbound (Green Line)
Kenmore Station - Inbound (Green Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 4 pm - 1 am
Sun 10:30 am - 1 am
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy, Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
406 reviews for Island Creek Oyster Bar
Review Highlights
-
"The oyster sliders and the lobster roll were awesome." In 57 reviews -
"It's the perfect complement to the one at Eastern Standard." In 13 reviews -
"hands down the best oysters and clam chowder I've ever had." In 28 reviews
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406 reviews in English
-
Review from Monica R.
5/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
this place really is as good as it gets. Not such a fan of their general clientel (or maybe it was just the fact that it was graduation weekend at BU). Anyway, I wish I could remember all the types of oysters we tried, but I can't. Of course the Island Creek ones stand out to me, but overall they were all scrumptious. I wish they had a "special" house mignonette (they just have your standard kind), alot of other places mix it up, so I was disappointed they didnt put their little spin on it. For a drink I was pretty low-key. I got a mojito and it was the perfect mix of syrup, alcohol, and mint. Sometimes places make it too sweet or overcompensate with too much alcohol- I was pleasantly surprised.
The bread that came with our meal was honey wheat. As my husband is on an odd diet because of GI issues, he cant have wheat (which also meant beer was out), and we didnt ask whether they could accomodate with a different type of bread (a non-wheat, but white kind). Since it was the bread of the night, I figured they probably didnt have any anyways- but a place of this caliber should have others on hand I suppose.
My mother got the romaine salad. I'm not sure people talk about salads this way but my mom seriously loved that salad. Loved. Raved. Still raving. About salad.
But onto the main event, after some serious deliberating we ordered lobster roe noodles and fish & chips. The Lobster Roe Noodles were sooooooo good, I can't really say anything else. The perfect mix of short rib, lobster, mushrooms and noodles. Mmm... the short rib was the perfect touch, and the lobster wine sauce really did it in- it was something I've never tasted before and I want to go back! Our only critique (my mother got the LRN too), is that the lobster was a bit tough. Cutting into it was actually really difficult which I thought odd. Overall, the dish went together perfectly, and alternating between pieces of lobster and short rib was just tooo good! My husband loved his fish & chips too. I thought the cole slaw was great, but the housemade tartar sauce tasted more like mayonaise than tartar sauce (missing the tartar?).
We will be back -
Review from Mary K.
New York, NY
5/22/2012
Island Creek is the perfect spot for date night. The place was buzzing even on a Monday - such a fun, classy atmosphere. Wine list has some super tasty reasonably priced options and don't skip the bread- its warm and served with awesome cayenne butter.
We started with island creek oysters- literally the most delicious oysters I've ever had. For din we split the lobster roe pasta- you absolutely have to try this- tender handmade pasta with braised short rib and grilled lobster- done to absolute perfection- you can't go wrong. Also split the halibut which was well executed but not quite as memorable.
All in all the food is absolutely phenomenal and the service and atmosphere are for a night out! -
Review from Adrianne H.
Houston, TX
5/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Order:
Oysters (especially Island Creek) --Mouth-watering. The vinaigrette tops it!
Oyster Slider
Mussels (served with no shells, with pearl couscous, and grilled bread) WOW.
Ceviche (the cucumber and basil make this dish so refreshing)
I have only had oysters from the West Coast and I was not impressed at all. The taste of ocean water is not appealing. East Coast is the way to go! Clean, smooth, refreshing.
I will definitely be ordering some Island Creek oysters from their website as Christy D. stated.
If I were on death row, this might quite possibly be one of the last meals I would request. -
Review from Colleen W.
Boston, MA
5/22/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Champagne and oysters for graduation, it doesn't get any better! The Island Creek oysters were by far my favorite out of the variety we got. We also ordered shrimp cocktail (they were huge!), lobster rolls, hake and the lobster roe noodles. I had a bite of the lobster rolls and the roll itself was much better than any standard hot dog bun-buttery and brioche like. You cannot go wrong with the lobster roe noodles however, I would order them again and again. Service was great and the cage of oyster shells on the wall looked incredible. Will definitely be back!
-
Review from Christy D.
Houston, TX
One of the best meals of my life, hands down. The thought that I might not get another opportunity to eat here since I'm from out of town is depressing, to say the least. Years ago, I started out hating oysters, then thinking they were okay, then really enjoying them, but this place skyrocketed them to one of my favorite foods.
Island Creek is a beautiful place to eat at in Boston, away from the congested areas with throngs of people and cars. Located in a hotel right next to the Kenmore station, it's not a far walk if you catch the subway.
My friend and I sat at the bar to eat, since we couldn't secure a reservation, and since there is no wait to sit there. At ~$3/each, oysters in Boston are not cheap, but they are worth it. I love the concept of an oyster bar, where you can select oysters from specific areas. I started out with six oysters...one Island Creek, one Flying Point, one Blue Pool, one Northern Cross, and two others that I can't remember. They were all SO good though. They serve them with a vinaigrette, some cocktail sauce (I suspect, but never tried it) and lemon wedges. Whether I ate them plain with lemon or with the vinaigrette, they were all incredibly good. My favorites were definitely the Flying Point and the Island Creek. Blue Pool had a buttery finish but it's itty bitty. Overall amazing oysters though.
We also each had a fried oyster slider on a brioche bun with lime aioli and arugula...it was VERY good. The oyster was plump and almost tasted "chicken fried." The no-shell mussels with white wine, shallot, parsley and what I think was pearled couscous were awesome. They were served with grilled bread which elevated the dish further. The ceviche with basil and cucumber, I believe, was the best I've ever had.
We finished the perfect meal with the lavender cream filled doughnuts with berry coulis. I could drink that coulis, it was so delicious. I didn't catch the taste of lavender in the cream, but no matter.
I loved our entire experience. Our server was friendly and eager to give us suggestions when ordering. I wouldn't even mind going back here and having to sit at the bar and put up with the annoying people who insisted on standing right behind my chair half of the meal. I think this is a must in terms of restaurants to eat at in Boston. FYI, you can buy Island Creek oysters online and have them overnighted. How lovely is that?!Listed in: Boston
-
Review from Jessie E.
Cambridge, MA
5/18/2012
This place is perfection.
Oysters are immaculate, every kind youve ever wanted to try. Razor clams are great as are the oyster sliders. Lobster roe noodles are delicious. I love the lively atmosphere and the servers are more than happy to talk food. Yes!!!! -
Review from Stacey H.
Manhattan, NY
5/12/2012
This place lives up to all the rave it gets. Everything from their complimentary side of biscuits to the main dish, I was very content with their quality.
I highly recommend making a reservation a good day or two prior to your visit. I went to ICOB on a Friday night at 7pm without reservation. When I tried reserving online, they said nothing was available until 9:30pm. Call it lucky, but my friends and I went anyway as a walk-in and we were seated immediately upon arrival.
Oysters were definitely of top notch quality. As you walk in towards the center of the restaurant, you can see all kinds of oysters arranged in stacks on mountains of ice. One thing that ICOB doesn't do (whereas Neptune Oyster does) is that theere are no specific descriptions for the oysters. I suggest that you ask a waiter/waitress whether you want them very salty/not, citrusy, nutty, etc.
Overall, they are fresh, flavorful, and pleasantly tangy. My favorites are Island Creek and Hama Hama (both not too salty). The presentation makes it easier to figure out what kind you are trying. (they give you individual slips with your orders arranged very carefully :) My favorite thing at this entire restaurant is one of their dips for the oysters, so be sure to look out for it!
When it comes to drinks, I like having rose or white wine with seafood. I ordered a bottle of rose (CHÂTEAU L'EPERONNIÈRE ROSÉ DE LOIRE) for the table. This place also makes other drinks that they update daily.
I opted for a simple, less pricey entree: Fried Fish Sandwich. The fried fish just melted in my mouth. You really got nothing to lose...
The service was awesome. We had a waiter who even found out the name of the track they were playing (Ray Charles's I've Got A Woman, FYI) when he saw me searching for it. You'd expect place with such acclaims and recognition would give you a rather disappointing service but ICOB definitely definitely should be proud of very friendly and helpful staff.
Great atmosphere. Definitely a place for a classy, fun date. I suggest that you dress a little more nicely than casual. This place has very trendy, chic, and modern atmosphere :)
Bon appetit! -
Review from Hideo M.
San Jose, CA
This is such an elegant and classy restaurant and a great spot to take a girl on a date if you really want to impress her. I actually came here just for some drinks but had to try their oysters. There were three different types. I can't specifically recall which ones they were, regardless, they were all very delicious. The smaller one had more taste but the bigger one was my favorite since I really enjoy the texture.
After the oysters, I wanted to try their shrimp cocktail. This was very misleading! I swear, these prawns were on steroids or something because they were the biggest I've ever seen and eaten in my life! It had so much meat that when I peeled the tail, there was meat inside! It was so succulent and enjoyed every single bite of it.
Definitely a place where I want to go for fresh oysters and prawns! -
Review from Yvonne H.
Bronx, NY
5/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
I understand why there are 400 reviews. Well 401 now that I cannot resist praising this place.
My friends and I traveled to Boston one late evening and wanted to grab a bite before heading to the hotel. We got there just before the kitchen closed and while the full menu was not available, we were still able to try a variety of oysters and a few sliders. I was blown away! They were so fresh and tasty.
Our waiter recommended everything and I was quite pleased with his selections. I always love a place when the staff can confidently suggest dishes and wines. He was awesome.
Although I have absolutely no idea when I will be in Boston again, I can guarantee I will be paying this wonderful venue a visit the next time I'm in town. -
Review from Rae R.
Boston, MA
5/7/2012
Lively (and quite loud) restaurant, cool decor, and upscale casual crowd. Order the following and you can't go wrong:
Clam chowder - chunky, and you can really taste the smoky bacon.
Lobster roe pasta - upon the recommendation of a friend, and I'm glad I listened
Side of the biscuit - totally underrated. This biscuit is da bomb!
However, I'm docking two stars because I can NEVER get a reservation between 6 and 10pm. I've tried on Open Table as well as calling the restaurant 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months ahead of time. How is that even possible?!? It's just so obnoxious. -
Review from Simon L.
4/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
It's as good as they say.
Order the shellfish tower for four, it is worth the price. Three of us split it perfectly. Delicious oysters (if you ask, they may sub in the ones you want for additional price). Lobster tails, clams, oysters and tuna tartar. An amazing extravagence. Fresh mignonette and plenty or cocktail sauce if you like.
Delicious martinis. Fresh fish. Simply nothing not to love - even my double negative! -
Review from Saba N.
4/25/2012
YESSSSSSSSS!!!! YESSS!!!!! YES!!!!!!!
I have been wanting to go here for almost a year now.. could never get a reservation on line or there was a sox game or [insert lame excuse here]. But I finally went last night and I want to shout from the rooftops! It's as good as everyone says!!! I am not disappointed!!! Perfection!!!
Let's start with the atmosphere: GORGEOUS! It's a huge place, with high ceilings and an open airy feeling that you typically don't get from fenway restaurants. I particularly liked the dining area, the entire back wall is made up of real oyster shells! It is so cool, I thought it was a textured tile at first but no! Oysters. Perfect.
Service: fantastic. We were served by 2 waiters but it really worked for us because we never waited on anything. This one guy seemed like he was the raw bar specialist, and then we had another person for the regular food. Plus, they clearly do this a lot, sometimes w/ 2 waiters you get a lot of repeat questions.. but nope! They were pros at tag teaming. Everyone was also super friendly so no complaints in that department.
Food: the foooooooooooooood. I mean, come onnnnnn. It was TOO good. The island creek oysters - ohhh the oysters! By far, the best I have ever had. Delicious, big, perfectly shucked, and served with an assortment of sauces. Something for everyone. I ordered the salmon and the bf had the bouillabaisse... both were REALLY good. I particularly loved mine (although it wasn't the prettiest dish in the world) because it was healthy (I think) and fantastic. They cook the salmon fairly rare, which I decided I prefer. And for dessert I had the dark chocolate cremeux w/ passion fruit sorbet. Refreshing and rich.
Seriously, this was a great meal. Great date spot if you're looking to impress. Great family spot. Great everything spot.
My only complaint is this: they always seem to be booked up on open table.. however, the restaurant was fairly empty when we went. How annoying! I am a HUGE reservation person, so I have always shied away from coming if I can't find anything online. But it seems like they have plenty of space. So, lesson learned, if it's a random night of the week (and no sox game) do not fear if you cant find a reservation! You'll be fineeeeee. -
Review from Ron L.
Boston, MA
5/1/2012
My favorite oyster spot, bar none! Island Creek are the best oysters around! I had the lobster roe pasta with the short rib and was not disappointed with the amount of lobster on the plate and the flavor was excellent. If you have out of town guest and they want fresh seafood this is your spot. Only negative is the menu is not very big so be prepared for a small but very tasty menu.
Would give it a 4.5 stars but can't give half stars so instead I'm giving it a 5. -
Review from Tammie P.
Boston, MA
4/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
Good clam chowder with big chunks of bacon. Lobster roll was kinda salty but the cole slaw was good. Favorite is the lobster roe noodles with braised short rib.
Best coffee and chocolate mousse ever! -
Review from Sarah C.
5/4/2012
I had been wanting to go to Island Creek for quite a while, and I had pretty high expectations. I'm happy to say it definitely met them!
I really loved the atmosphere. I'm not sure I can pin down exactly why, but the expanse of the space, the openness and gigantically high ceilings all were major factors, but at the same time it felt full, but not crowded. Am I making any sense? Anyways...
The menu is plentiful - I always love having a truly hard time deciding. The service is wonderful, and the cocktails quite lovely (of course, given the collaboration).
I opted for the salmon tartare and the lobster roe noodles. The salmon tartare was absolutely awesome, especially if you like a little heat. I ate the whole thing myself and loved every minute of it, though I did manage to spare a few bites so I could boast to the rest of the table about how great it was. And even still, there are at least 4 other appetizers I can think of that I want to go back to try. The lobster roe noodles - well let me say that I ordered them both because they looked delicious and because I'd seen a bunch of people raving about them on yelp. They WERE good, but I think I was expecting to be more wow-ed than I was. And - not that this is in any way a bad thing - the portion is honestly normal. You can eat almost the whole thing and be hungry in a couple hours - this isn't your typical plate of pasta at a restaurant. I suggest you order it one of the first few times you go, but if not on the first and you don't go back, it was probably better than whatever you ordered. I'd be interested in going back enough times to try at least half of their menu.
The desserts. Oh, the desserts. I couldn't help myself. I ordered the The Dark Chocolate Cremeux (yes, it deserves capitals) fucking blew my mind. It's quite possibly it's only because I've just recently discovered that chocolate and passion fruit (the sorbet on top of which it sits) is one of my favoriate combinations EVER, but...no, it's not ONLY because of that as I recall the texture of the cremeux and the depth of the chocolate made me sigh every time I took a bite too. And lets not start on the white chocolate milk crumble. WHITE CHOCOLATE MILK CRUMBLE. Should I say it again? Sorry I'll move on. The ICOB doughnuts with lavender pastry cream and red berry coulis were also phenomenal. I'm not even going to say anything else about them so as not to take away from your own, perfect experience.
The end. -
Review from John N.
Newton, MA
5/14/2012
There's nothing more to be said that hasn't been said already.
If you're looking for a destination for a special occasion or a night out, this is a great option.
Friendly staff, amazing cocktails, and amazing oyster selection! I feel like I learn something new about oysters every time I go to Island Creek Oyster Bar!
The most recent visit was for a friend's 30th birthday. I mentioned the birthday when I was making the reservation, and the staff went the extra mile in making the evening extra-special.
Diners who think that customer service is a lost art should go to Island Creek. They will be pleasantly surprised at the high level of service and high standards of culinary excellence.
I can't wait for my next visit! -
Review from Sally W.
Williamstown, MA
4/12/2012
ICOB is quite the place to be on a date night. The restaurant always is packed, which often makes getting a reservation there a bit cumbersome.
I love the interior- a cross between city chic and ship yard factory. Sounds weird, but it works.
The wait staff is friendly and helpful- our waiter was only too happy to chat with me about the pros and cons of my main course choice. Eventually, I chose his suggestion of the seafood casserole. It was quite delicious, a bit rich, but also steaming hot. My tongue was cursing me all night.
My appetizer of the mussels in the white wine cream sauce actually blew me away. Served with perfectly toasted buttered bread, with a simple and elegant taste, I was extremely pleased. Also, side note, why don't more restaurants serve mussels without the shells???? I've always wondered this, because without the shells the mussels are able to soak up so much more of the flavor.
For dessert, I had the chocolate hazelnut puffs with roasted banana ice cream- the former was meh, but I would kill to walk away with a gallon of the latter. YUM.
And of course, the oysters are delicious- simple and fresh. -
Review from Ella B.
Los Olivos, CA
3/25/2012
I haven't been to Neptune's yet, so I'm not sure how it compares, but for the service and selection, this place is definitely on my Boston list.
We were able to get reservations for the next night for a large party and also find street parking despite it being in the Fenway area.
We ordered the razor clams which were delicious. I had never had them before. They were cooked with a garlic mixture that wasn't too strong. We also ordered some oysters and clams on the half shell -- all very very fresh and shucked very well!
As for the clam chowder, i really enjoyed it, it was not so creamy as the usual suspects are, but a little spicy -- which I prefer, no Tabasco needed in this bowl!
The lobster (lobsta, tee-hee) roll was good and comes with a side of coleslaw and homemade kettle chips. My cousin ordered the sea bass, it was served on a bed of barley and carrot mix.
Dessert was also delicious, a choice of sorbets, cakes and pastries.
The server was attentive, the ambiance clean and sophisticated -- also good to note that it wasn't too noisy in there so you can have a good dinner conversation and hear your party without having to shout across the table. Another thing to note -- the restaurant is very large so you can easily accommodate a party of 6-10 easily.
Don't know if it's the "best" oyster bar in town, but certainly very good and delicious. -
Review from Kimberly B.
Boston, MA
3/16/2012
It may be the best oyster bar in Boston. It is most certainly the best oyster bar I've ever been to, anywhere. The setting is grand and statedly masculine with its swooping ceilings, wood and metal furnishings, a tactile wall constructed of oyster shells, a mammoth, hanging light fixture that feels more work lamp than chandelier, and the vaguely apocalyptic mural that steals focus along the bar's back wall. But there are soft touches too, like cushy banquette seating, a smiling hostess eager to please, and the warm glow of dim light. Which is to say nothing of the first-rate oysters or the rest of Chef Jeremy Sewall's seafood-centric menu that expertly blends classic and contemporary New England cuisine. As far as I can tell, Island Creek Oyster Bar is in a league of their own.
I came late to oysters. It took a good 24 years before I could stare down a bivale and slurp it up. My boyfriend has been tossing them back since he was four, so he's got two decades on me and a deeper appreciation for mollusks from every maritime. Truth be told, until our first outing at Island Creek, I claimed not to enjoy East Coast oysters at all. They tend to be bigger, brinier and are harder for me to get down. West Coast oysters on the other hand, have always held more of an allure in my mind; small, supple and smooth, I was convinced I would entertain a future of Kumamotos and Shigokus without every venturing into Atlantic waters again.
So it was with baited caution on my first visit to ICOB that I set upon ordering their provincial Island Creek oysters. And boy, am I glad I did. I loved them. They were clean, silken creatures with a subtle saline bite, wetting my palate and setting the stage for the multi-course meal that was to follow.
The menu changes regularly at ICOB, but if you're lucky enough to catch them while in season, may I recommend the fried, sweet Maine shrimp, the playful twist on lox made with Arctic char, the lobster roe noodles accompanied by grilled lobster and braised short ribs and the local clam chowder seasoned with house-cured bacon and a floating buttermilk biscuit-bar none, the best chowda' I've ever tasted. Less successful dishes included the lobster risotto (bland and gummy) and the crab carbonara (lacking lusciousness). While the place isn't perfect, the wine list, spirits menu and savory-sweet desserts are rather spot-on. Opt for hard to find bottles of white like the Jacques Puffeney Arbois Chardonnay from the Jura region of France, paired alongside a key lime parfait sandwiched between layers of chantilly cream...an utterly crave-able combination.
Island Creek Oyster Bar elevates the everyday oyster shack. I've been to ICOB twice, both times for a special occasion. Most recently, I celebrated my birthday there with my two best girlfriends. As perfectly apropos for a night out on the town with my ladies as it is for a romantic dinner for two, I needn't wait for my next celebratory excuse as a reason to return. -
Review from Tasha M.
East Watertown, MA
4/4/2012
Full disclosure, I didn't come for the oysters. I came along for the ride with an oyster lover. If this is also your situation, not to worry! There are other perfectly good things on the menu. I've had some great fish specials here, and loved the lobster roll.
If you just want a libation while your date slurps shellfish, the drinks are creative, strong and very tasty. As the cherry on top the waitstaff have always been very friendly, and are clearly well-trained.
The only minus for me is the extremely cool, gray decor. But to each her own. Even that has an upside....there is a huge wall made entirely out of oyster shells! -
Review from John F.
Brookline, MA
3/28/2012
Friday March 23rd (5:00 pm)
We had a wonderful experience at Island Creek.
Food: A-
Service: A
Atmosphere: A
Food: We were looking for that upscale seafood place. We found it.
The Fried Oyster Sliders were wonderful and addictive. They are a must. Served on a fresh broche roll with a nice (somewhat spicy aoli) these are a real treat. I can see myself setting at the bar with my wife for a great after work treat.
The Clam Chowder (which we had one order split between us) was a Boston Top Five out of the gate. The Chowder was creamy, with the freshest clams and wonderfully balanced with pork.
The Fried Clams were super fresh and brought me back to a Summer Day at the Clam Box in Ipswich. They were super fresh and tender. Wonderful! They did come with some fries underneath that were not the very crispy and a little soggy but the Clams were the Star!
The Lobster Roll was the only bump in the road. The lobster was fresh and tasty. Not too much dressing and nicely seasoned. The Lobster Roll came on a large Rosemary roll which was a lot of bread for the dish. When I think of Lobster Roll I think of my Summers in Maine with Lobster pouring out of a buttered Hot Dog Roll. A smaller simpler roll would have been more to my liking. Coming with the Lobster Roll was Homemade Potato Chips. They were cold, soggy and I would not be surprised if they were reheated from earlier in the day. Cape Cod Chips would have been much better. The chips seemed a lot of work to do for being so disappointing.
All around an "A-" for food, only the fries, chips and Rosemary Roll held it back from a true "A".
Service: Excellent!
Attentive and helpful and went above and beyond.
One event that blew my mind is that my wife and I had a Fried Oyster Slider each. I wanted a second. While we ordered my wife mentioned to me that the aoli was a little spicy so she would pass. Like magic the server brought a free slider to her with plain aoli...free of charge! It blew my mind!
Can't beat service like that.
All staff member were attentive and helpful.
Service is a solid A.
Atmosphere: A
It is a like an upscale Seafood Restaurant with a very Clam Shack feel. It has very comfortable feel with a dressy causal crowd. Next time my wife and I will sit at the bar and enjoy some Fried Oyster Sliders and some Steamers! You can go for a nice time out or sit at the bar and have some wonder apps. -
Review from Daenerys T.
Boston, MA
4/4/2012
This place is awesome! Huge selection of fresh oysters! Waitstaff is superb. They are very knowledgeable about the menu and wine list. Their array of sauces is such a wonderful touch. But the icing on the cake was "sriracha" Whooo hooo! I wish all oyster bars would carry this stomp on your taste bud red rooster sauce. I love mixing it with the mignonette to give it a good kick.
We always have a wonderfully pleasant experience at Island Creek. Enough said. -
Review from Alexandra S.
Hingham, MA
My 3 star allocation for this place is clearly the minority opinion of the 300 plus reviews already written. And to be fair, it's based on one visit.
I was one of a party of 6 that came here a couple of Saturday nights ago.
The space is cavernous but really cool in soaring modern design. I particularly liked the back wall which is filled with oyster shells as a design element.
But the high ceilings and the vast main dining room make it hard to hear and not enough attention it would seem, was paid to the acoustics. I kept craning my neck to hear my friends sitting across from me.
There is a high energy vibe here which is compelling, but when it's hard to hear it quickly becomes annoyoing.
We started with a few dozen oyster platters of various kinds served on trays of ice. I've yet to meet a fresh, cold oyster I didn't love and these were no different. What I don't get here on the East Coast in particular is why they are so pricey. For some each oyster was $3.50. Ouch. But nevermind, our table was in a festive mood and we ate our fill.
Less successful was my lobster roll. I don't eat these often but when I do, I expect that they will be honored in being cooked perfectly. You're certainly paying for a divine experience. This was overdone and rubbery; the roll it came in, was uninspired and left uneaten.
Others in our party ordered various fish dishes like the Idaho red trout, the Virginia striped bass with shiitake mushrooms and a more local offering, the Scituate scallops. I noted that everyone finished their plates but I don't recall anyone exclaiming about the food unless over the din, I just didn't hear them. .
The wine list was good and my wine connoisseur friend ordered a couple of tasty bottles of white and a couple of reds for the table.
The wait service was attenitve and it seemed someone, not always just our waiter, was ever present for us. Our waiter brought our table a platter of smoked trout with walnut pesto and rye crisps, on the house. This was delicious.
At the end of our meal, our waiter brought each of us a glass of port, also on the house.
Not sure what prompted these freebies but they were appreciated.
Alas, good service and fabulous albeit pricey oysters still don't make a 5 star experience given some of the other negatives.
I had great fun with my pals, and enjoyed the exuberance of this place, but I'm not rushing back. Given just how crowded this place was even for our 9:30PM reservation, there are enough patrons that they won't miss me. Others clearly love this place more than I did. -
Review from John Y.
Gansevoort, NY
5/5/2012
The perfect place for pre-game dining, delicious fresh oysters, French wine, attentive and knowledgable service.
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Review from Bruno D.
Boston, MA
4/10/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Food: A-
Service: B
Atmosphere: A -
Review from Michelle T.
Boston, MA
4/10/2012
I love Island Creek... which isn't to say that it's perfect.
Decor/ambiance: fantastic. I love the wall covered in shells (which is actually a lot prettier than it sounds) and all the other subtle fish/oyster/beach touches. I like the gray color palette, which is soothing and sophisticated. And I LOVE the music they play. The past two times it was pop music from the fifties/sixties and it was so much fun!
Service: pretty good. I came for brunch (awesome) with friends and we couldn't decide whether we should order the pastry basket or not and our server gave us one not only for free, but with a few extra of her favorite pastries. So nice! (And she got a really nice tip for her efforts.) Overall I've had great service here but last time I don't know what happened because we ended up getting ALL of our food at once, apps & entrees, and when we said we weren't ready for everything at once we saw the server (or a server, since you get like 15 people waiting on you) put the food on a tray to the side and bring everything back when we were ready. I don't know if that was a communication mix-up with the kitchen or what regarding when the food came out, but there's no way anyone should've brought us entrees before we even had a chance to eat our appetizers.
Food/drink: excellent! Brunch is really nice and priced well, so I really recommend that. I also recommend making reservations because brunch is only offered on Sundays and I bet it's getting more and more popular. Dinner is great too. You have to try the oyster slider at least once; ditto for the lobster roe pasta which is totally craveworthy. If you still have room, do yourself a favor and order the biscuit, which is huge and doused in honey and amazing. If you're a dessert person, try the hazelnut puff thing with the banana ice cream and DO NOT SHARE. It's that good. Oh, and make sure you have a safe way to get home because the cocktails here are craaaaaaazy good! -
Review from Jae J.
2/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
For those of you who are FIRST TIMER'S, here's a perfect formula for what to get:
1. Start with some oysters. We just got a half dozen, ordering 3 kinds(chose two of each). Went with the popular Kumamotos, the local Spring Creeks, and my personal favorite Shigokus.
2. Order a Crispy IC Oyster Slider for each person. The delicious fried oyster comes on a mini brioche bun with a delicious lime chili aioli sauce.
3. Get or share a bowl of the Local Clam Chowder or the Lobster Bisque depending on your preference. It was pretty rich so i'm glad I shared my portion.
4. Order an entree. Personally speaking, I went with Ethel's Lobster Roll. The lobster comes from Cousin Mark's Lobster up in York Harbor, Maine. The roll is delicious, although it's a cold roll rather than the hot one some of you may be used to. Still delicious with big chunks of lobster!
Libations: I went with a glass of the Stout brewed with Vanilla. It was pretty amazing. The wine selection looked great!
A few key tips: Ambiance is wonderful. If you get there and need to wait, just put your name down and then go hang out downstairs at the Hawthorne! Their craft cocktails are amazing!
Hope this is useful! -
Review from Parul L.
Back Bay, Boston, MA
3/11/2012
I had my first ever oyster at Island Creek Oyster Bar, and as scared as I was to try it, it turned out to be a great experience, and one I have loved to repeat. I first attended a wine luncheon at the new restaurant in early 2011, and had a wonderful 3 courses (oysters, scallops, and pea soup) alongside 9 muscadet wines. I was hooked.
I went back later in the summer with 4 girlfriends, and had an even better experience. We arrived early, and had to wait - at which time the hostess said she was very sorry and our waiter came over with some free cocktails to tide us over (everyone should do this). When we were finally seating, the waiter was nothing but apologetic, which made us feel great.
We then decided to eat the seafood platter (from the raw bar) which had a little bit of everything - 16 oysters (clams which we declined), halibut ceviche, and a whole small lobster. We also got the decadent biscuit and honey...yum. We enjoyed the meal so much, that we had a few more oysters before we left.
My latest experience was a few weeks ago, and I samples 10 local oysters and had the delicious crab cakes and tuna tartare to start.
I love this place, from the fun cocktails to the wonderful fresh seafood...its a great, lively spot. -
Review from Nancy W.
Boston, MA
3/27/2012
Having only moved to Boston recently from NYC, the snob food capital of the East Coast, I was a little skeptical of finding really awesome cocktail programs/restaurants in Boston. I'm so glad I was proved wrong!
This is hands down one of my favorite restaurants / bars in Boston, and believe me, I am PICKY. The service, food, and drinks are consistently amazing. I love starting off with half a dozen island creek oysters, then either sharing a handful of appetizers or a main with my friend. Of the things I've tried thus far, some favorites are the cornmeal crusted/fried oysters and the lobster roe noodles.
The only criticism (if you can even call it that) is that the desserts are only okay. Spend your money on some extra oysters or another round of drinks rather than on desserts.
But otherwise, I LOVE this place! -
Review from J J.
Centreville, VA
5/4/2012
The lobster roll was spectacular, the clam chowder however did not live up to my expectations of New England Chowder.
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Review from Megan J.
3/6/2012
Birthday dinner for four - 3 ladies and one guy.
and though Whit had passed, we were feeling alive -
bring on the oysters half-shell
and a bottle of chilled white as well
to whet our whistles before going to jive.
We each had four east coast oysters to start
and then for our entrees we didn't have heart
to eat solitaire
without portions to share,
so it's was a hodge-podge from here on out.
It was a few weeks ago, but here's what I recall:
these portions are great, not too small.
Crab cake: hot damn this was amazing!
And over short rib lobster roe pasta we were raving!
Another winner was the mackerel tartare! -
Review from Samantha C.
Mountain View, CA
2/23/2012
I came here the night after going to B&G Oysters so that I could do a fair comparison of these two awesome awesome oyster bars. And yes, I got the same food at each. :)
Island Creek is more posh than B&G, and also seats at least 4 times as many people. The decor is beautiful. Walls are steel grills filled with oyster shells. Creative!
Get it:
- fresh oysters. woohoo!
- oyster slider. like a regular slider except awesomer. oyster was fried and topped with tartar sauce in a cute little brioche bun.
- lobster roll. just like B&G. equally generous portions of lobster on a tender roll. i could just sit there eating lobster chunks forever.
- lobster roe pasta. the pasta is actually made with lobster roe mixed into the dough. the roe lends a subtle flavor to the fettuccine. comes with generous portions of lobster meat too.
Skip it:
- clams. pretty good, but nothing particularly special about either the clams or the broth.
Overall, loved this place. Definitely worth coming to if you love oysters and lobster. :) -
Review from Audrey L.
4/28/2012
I came here with a friend and her colleagues. We didn't make a reservation and wound up waiting 45 minutes in their sister lounge next door for a table. When we were seated, we ordered the shared platter for an appetizer to share. This included: one lobster split in half (served cold), 12 island creek oysters, clams and what was supposed to be a scallop ceviche, but wound up actually being more akin to smoked salmon. This was my first taste of oysters, and they tasted so fresh! The people I was with were from San Francisco and they all noticed the difference between the oysters here and the west coast. The platter was finished quickly, but it filled us all too much for our meals!
I ordered the seafood chowder, while my friend ordered the lobster roe pasta--and though my dish was good, I highly regretted not getting the pasta. Do yourselves a favor & don't make my mistake, the pasta was delicious!
For dessert, I ordered the peppermint hot chocolate and was disappointed to find that it was more akin to a thick fondue-type sauce rather than a hot chocolate. Friend ordered the lemon poppyseed cake with raspberry coulis--satisfactory, but not anything extroardinary.
I'd probably return for the oysters and the lobster roe pasta, but wasn't impressed with too much else. -
Review from Rozita N.
3/22/2012 Seated via OpenTable
everything was great from wines and super fresh seafood to the interior design.
I would definitely go there again. -
Review from Marilyn C.
Cambridge, MA
4/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here for some drinks late one evening and had a good time. The place is larger than I realized. The service was excellent and the place had a good vibe even as things died down for the evening. Would come back to try some food some time of more drinks.
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Review from Cami F.
Boston, MA
4/23/2012
So many oyster options!! and all the food is delicious!! Went there with a friend, was told it would be a 45 minute wait on a week night, but we were able to sit and eat at the bar within 10 minutes. Service was great and very happy with our crab cake and scallops! We also had a few drinks at the bar, the bartenders were really happy to create something off the menu based on our tastes.
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Review from Bethany B.
Mid-Cambridge, MA
4/24/2012
I came here on a date and really enjoyed myself. The oyster options are just lovely and treat yourself to a cocktail or four. As for the food, I made the fatal error of ordering chicken at a seafood restaurant. Why? you may ask...because it looked delicious. It was good, but I should have gotten a seafood option (I mean it's their specialty...DUH). We had a great corner table, but I could see it being a bit loud if you're sitting around the bar. All in all it was a good experience, but the second time around I would probably just stick to the oysters and cocktails and skip the dinner.
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Review from Kristin N.
Boston, MA
2/26/2012
I love this place. I've been twice and have had a great experience both times.
The decor is beautiful, definitely very posh and trendy, but you get back to reality with a simple and delicious menu.
Both times that I've dined here, my servers have been awesome. Very friendly and attentive and have given great recommendations on choosing which type of oysters to order, and wine/champagne pairings, etc. Speaking of alcohol, they have very delicious cocktails also!
Oysters were very yummy and briney, and some were metallic tasting depending on their origin. Those honey biscuits are out of control!!! Must must order one when you go! The main entree I have order both time I've been is the Lobster Roe noodle with braised short rib and brussels sprouts...it is very good and very rich, which is why it is a smaller portion. But If you do oysters, razor clams (yum!) and that biscuit, you should be pretty full after that entree. I have also had dessert...the ice milk with homemade cookies...nothing too spectacular, but it's just right to end a major meal.
I'm sure I will be back the next time I have friends from out of town visiting! -
Review from Kelly C.
Carlisle, MA
3/22/2012
Had a fantastic dinner at Island Creek Oyster Bar. My group each had something different - salmon, cat fish and striped bass. Each of us thoroughly enjoyed our meals. I had the striped bass, which came recommended by our server and it was terrific! We also started with a selection of oysters from the east and west coast - they were fresh, and so good.
Would definitely go back and in fact, can't wait. -
Review from Charlene H.
Boston, MA
4/26/2012
Went with my husband to ICOB last Saturday and left with mixed feelings.
The raw oysters were excellent and very fresh. We tried 8 different New England varieties. Belon was my hands down favorite for the distinct seawater flavor. So the meal was great... until the entrees showed up.
We ordered fried clams and the lobster roll to share both. Fried clams were flavorful and meaty. The batter was light, and fries were crispy. The lobster roll on the other hand was not enjoyable at all. The lobster meat itself was fine, but the dressing was bland. There was way too much celery flavor, overpowering the lobster. Worst of all, the bun had a really bitter flavor. Almost like it was burnt, but it didn't look burnt. It just left a horrible taste in my mouth.
The service was mediocre at best. We went at 5pm, so it wasn't busy. One of our waiters rubbed me the wrong way. When he asked if we wanted still or sparkling water, I answered "can we have regular tap water please?" His answer was, "uh... it's free."
First of all, I dislike restaurants trying to upsell bottled water. I don't drink bottled water for environmental reasons, and it bothered me that the waiter assumed it was for monetary reasons. I think that was really rude. After that, the service was just okay.
Bottom line: I don't think we will be visiting ICOB again. Oysters were great, but I can get the same quality at Neptune Oysters, where they have the best lobster roll in the world.
