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New Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar
Category: Restaurants Seafood Seafood [Edit]
101 2nd Ave(between 5th St & 6th St)
New York, NY 10003
Neighbourhood: East Village
(212) 979-1012
- Nearest Transit:
-
Astor Pl (4, 6, 6X)
8 St - Nyu (N, R)
2 Av (F)
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
118 reviews for New Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar
Review Highlights
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"We went for the tasting menu and every dish was great." In 48 reviews -
"another winner from the jewel bako team." In 12 reviews -
"My favorite here are the clams and chorizo." In 16 reviews
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118 reviews in English
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Review from Hey T.
Brooklyn, NY
3/28/2012
I'll try to keep this short. I went here on a date with the girlfriend and we both got the $55 tasting menu. Every dish was phenomenal, the chef's did a great job. We sat at the bar so we could see everything being prepared fresh. I probably could have eaten one more course but I left very satisfied. For $55 this tasting menu is an excellent value.
This place has high ratings for a reason, it's amazing. -
Review from Juliana H.
5/7/2012
My actual rating is 4.5.
I'm feeling this place. Because of mixed up communications etc. we arrived late for our reservations. They were still gracious. Then three of our party bailed. They were still gracious though they had held the table for us while turning away potential customers.
I enjoyed the majority of the dishes we had. The best was the lobster pot pie. I also really liked the oyster sampling we had as appetizers. What I didn't like was the prices of wine. TOO crazy! My advice for the very little it's worth - New Jack's needs to be less wack and get some $30-$38 bottles on that menu!
The place itself is quirky yet cute.
In summation, I'd come for a second round. -
Review from Dak K.
Northport, NY
4/16/2012
Unpretentious , relaxed atmosphere where the food does the talking. Our waiter was
Knowledgable without being over opinionated (unless we asked!).
The halibut was like butter, and the rich foie gra was offset with its sweet accompaniment . Octopus has been a favorite of mine since I had it at Craft many years ago and have been unable to find an octopus dish that compares. This one compares.
This meal was a great addition to good company and decent wine. Get here before the $55 prefix goes up ( maybe to late) and you are unable to get a reservation after 5 and before 10:30. -
Review from tiffanie n.
Brooklyn, NY
4/7/2012
HMM...really 3.5 stars. It's pricey for the small plates of food.
Dishes we ordered:
Scallops - really good with parsley flakes. I didn't like the bitter sauce that came with it.
Halibut - one of my fav. dishes. peas were sweet and fish was moist.
lobster pot pie - it was alright to me. it's basically a deconstructed pot pie with lobster pieces. but good sauce.
pork belly - liked it.
oysters - fresh. and the waitress was nice enough to tell you which one's mild and salty and etc.
clams and chorizo - MUST GET THIS. best dish we ever got. loved the broth and the bread it comes in to dip in is yummy. -
Review from Diane L.
3/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
I came here on a weeknight with a friend, and it was very quiet and about half of the tables were filled. It is a very small place with dim nighttime lighting and one waiter. Rather than do the tasting menu, we decided to order a la carte - best idea as the menu is quite small anyways so you probably end up wanting to try the majority of the dishes.
Memorable eats:
- market oysters for the day - all were quite delicious and fresh
- Torchon Of Foie Gras - i am allergic to almond, so the waiter gladly left the almond butter on the side for my friend to enjoy. The foie gras was perfect amount of richness and he brought over more bread for us when we ran out without us requesting
- Lobster - this was definitely to die for and had a nice quantity of pieces to share
I do think though that the menu is small, and you go through items quickly and by the end, we were definitely full, but would have enjoyed a bit more variety.
Definitely a nice place to go when you want to sit at a quiet place with a friend to catch up. -
Review from Megan M.
Hoboken, NJ
2/15/2012
I haven't given out 5 STARS in a while...but this was just too damn good. 5 STARS well deserved.
Tasting menu - phenomenal - every single dish was rich, yet delicate and superbly delicious
Service - outstanding
Atmosphere - loved it - cute, quaint, cozy...small but not too small like some of the nooks in the city
Lack of Valentine's decor on Valentine's Day - TWO THUMBS UP
Menu Recommendations:
**Best pork belly I've ever had in my life. The perfect mix of crispy pork & juicy fat.
**Risotto with wild arugula, quail egg, bacon - WOW. The quail egg seals the deal on this dish.
Living in New York, it's easy to continue to try new restaurants and never have to go back to the same place twice. But I think Jack's Oyster Bar is going to have to be added on to our very small and exclusive list of restaurants to return to.
Well done Jack...well done. -
Review from Sheena E.
Manhattan, NY
3/8/2012
This little gem is one of my favorite restaurants in NYC--my husband and I are repeat customers. We've done the tasting menu every time. It's the best value we have found in the city at $55.
The restaurant is not well marked (a bonus in my books!). It's cute and cozy (seats ~20 guests), but I've never had a problem getting a reservation a couple days in advance.
It would be awesome if they could switch up the tasting menu a bit more. Of the three times I've had it (spaced several months apart), at least three of the dishes were the same. That said, they were excellent every time! -
Review from K P.
Manhattan, NY
4/11/2012
Overall, I thought the experience was charming. I liked that that the 6 course menu came in a perfectly timed progression that didn't have you waiting long at all, though it may have been because we were the only ones there on a tuesday evening. Bit surprising for a restaurant of this many stars.
It's a great deal for $55 as you are exposed to so many different types of flavors, but as my colleague said, there was nothing that completely amazed you.
I really liked the risotto with the flavorful and tender bacon, but that's typically not too difficult to make. The artic char special was great. Packed in a lot of flavor.
The braised pork belly was good, although not as juicy as I had imagined it, but then again, I am not an expert on this cut of meat.
The lobster pot pie was good. Really pleased at the efforts of the chef to be innovative.
Would go back after they change up the menu. -
Review from Ashwin T.
11/19/2011
This place is easy to miss if youre walking down second avenue. Its a small door on the west side of the street with no visible name.
The restaurant is cozy with dim lighting. We had requested seats at the bar which is fun since you can see everything the chefs are working on and the chef serves you food directly to you after making it. The chef was very friendly and even let me charge my blackberry in one of his kitchen sockets!
Wine list was a bit limited, but there were a few by the glass options ($9-$14 range). I had a montepulciano which was great.
The chef's tasting menu on offer was not the same one that I had looked up online and did not look terribly appealing, so we ordered off the menu. The food:
Roasted oysters with paprika and potato chips. I thought this was delicious but my companion wasnt as much of a fan - she did not feel like she got much oyster flavor out of the dish. jurys out
Lobster pot pie - the lobster was absolutely delicious and buttery. the pie part didnt add much
Hamachi crudo - standard stuff. great tasting but nothing special
berkshire pork - this was one of the more substantial items. really tasty and wholesome
littleneck clams with chorizo - this was not my favorite dish. didnt think combination of flavors was amazing, and the chickpeas were a little undercooked.
octopus with lentils - i'm a huge fan of octopus. this was pretty average
coffee dirt ice cream. this was generally tasty, but had an overdose of salt.
we were also comp'ed an apple based dessert which was great.
overall a great night with great service and pretty good foodListed in: tapas in the city
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Review from James R.
Newburgh, NY
3/3/2012
Four stars because of pricing. It is expensive ($3 Oysters; small plates 10-16 dollars).
Jack's serves small plates, oysters and a choice of two desserts. That's it. It is a very small restaurant - we sat at the bar, watching the two tattooed deft chefs toil away - and I would highly recommend it.
Lobster Pot Pie was delicious, and the Pork Belly was perfect with brussels sprouts. My wife and I had a dozen oysters, one beer, and those two small plates for 96 dollars with tip. The small plates are small - too small, really. Another piece of pork belly and maybe another claw of lobster and it'd be perfect. -
Review from Jennifer S.
Brooklyn, NY
9/26/2011
So the portions are small, but this is an oyster bar not an Arby's. This is a great place to go for a fancy snack. We went and had a glass of wine and about 5 small plates. The oysters were some of the best I have had and it is clear that everything is made with care. The risotto was incredible. We received some roasted oysters with prociutto on the house and they were excellent. This is a great place to come on a date, sit at the bar, have a drink and splurge a little. It is a little pricey, but really a great deal considering it is an oyster bar in manhattan.
The bill came to 81 dollars for 4 or 5 small dishes and two glasses of wine. Not a place to go if you are starving and don't want to spend a lot of cash, but it is worth it if you do. -
Review from Hannah L.
2/15/2012
it's definitely a place you need to know about to go to, because it is not really attention-getting from the street.
new jack's is definitely a luxury oyster bar. their yummmmmy gourmet teeny plates are like $15 each, but are teeny at probably 3 bites each. the dozen oysters (4 different kinds) were really great. the scallops were a little too lemony for my taste, but the roasted beet salad was GOREGOUS and the coffee ice cream was hedonistically amazing.
it's very small inside, adorable, and had a sam cooke album playing in the background (awesome!)
waiter was a little snooty, but not enough to detract from the yummyness inside. all in all, an excellent datey place or oyster place. annnd excellent wine selection! -
Review from Pat R.
Manhattan, NY
2/24/2012
Food 4.5
Service 4
Ambiance 4
I have not enjoyed a good meal in awhile and this was it. Let me state the not so nice things first...1) tiny place, 2) staff was a bit passive as in didnt seem to care much, and 3) menu is limited.
Ambiance- tiny place and really cramped. If coming back and you dont feel like you have to stare longingly into your partner's eyes, then try eating at the bar...then you can watch the guys cook.
Service- service during the meal was great but when walking in, the staff didnt seem to bother too much about making us feel comfortable or welcomed. Given that it was valentine's day, i thought more energy or effort would have been nice.
Food-killer. The baked oyster with crispy strings and ham was excellent. Everything was well made and had immense flavor. For $55 per person, this is a steal. -
Review from Jaimee A.
9/17/2011
This is a super cozy somewhat casual restaurant. It has maybe 10 tables but it is super cute.
We went with the 6 course tasting menu and it was delicious. The courses consisted of an oyster roasted with some sort of bacon with fried onions (amazing), a variation of New England clam chowder with a homemade salt and vinegar potato chip (delish), Arctic Char (yummy), veal cheek with goat cheese ravioli (insanely good) and Waygu beef (super yum) followed by a variation of apple pie a la mode. All the food was great and we didn't walk out feeling overstuffed (which is why we headed over to Momofuku Milk bar afterwards).
The only negative to this restaurant is that the kitchen is fairly close to the dining room and they were cooking something that was burning our eyes (me and the hubby have very sensitive eyes). Otherwise a great meal!!! -
Review from Allison H.
Brooklyn, NY
12/5/2011
I went here with my husband recently, and we had a really, really good meal. I ordered the tasting menu, which is a total deal. $55 for 6 courses! My husband ordered a la carte. The plates are small, but after 5 small dishes, I was still almost too full for the dessert course.
We were skeptical of the roasted oysters because it seems like an injustice to cook something that's so delicious naturally...but they were amazingly flavorful. The chowder was a little over salted and kind of gummy -this was probably my least favorite dish of the evening. The clams and chorizo was so tasty that we ordered extra bread to sop up the juices.
One thing we were disappointed with was they were out of several of the seafood dishes we wanted to try. It was only 8:30 at night...seems like a restaurant would have a larger stock of their specialty items.
But aside from not being able to taste some of the dishes that we wanted to, everything we had was delicious. The service was efficient and attentive without being overbearing. The dining room is small and warmly lit. I highly recommend trying this place, in particular I think the tasting menu is the way to go. -
Review from Lizz K.
Sometimes it's all about the details. Whether its the antique cupboard that greets you as you walk in. Or the mirrored marine windows and framed paintings that lined the red & white striped wall. What about the subtle addition of mint sambal & meyer lemon atop some creamy Kumomoto oysters. Or the sole crisp piece of fish skin balanced on top of the confit of artic char. I can't forget the dehydrated peas that swam in the amuse bouche of cold pea soup. Or the corn nuts that introduced a playful texture into the delicate yet bright scallop crudo.
It's the details such as these that dazzle and delight the senses. Numerous intricate pieces on a plate challenge the palate and make you question the cohesiveness of it all. However after one bite, you wonder no more and sit back to the enjoy the show.
The $55 chef's tasting here is one of the best deals in the city. It seems to vary according to season, which keeps things exciting and unpredictable. Since the restaurant is so small (only housing 20 or so seats including those at the bar) the smells coming from the "kitchen" as your dish cooks arouses the taste buds. Just as soon as the drool is about to hit the table, your food arrives and is introduced by the friendly waitresses.
If you think the 6 courses is not enough food, feel free to add on the creamy torchon of foie gras, the generous cheese platter, or a few dozen fresh oysters, appropriately priced at $2.50 a slurp. The affordable tasting menu allows for these additions that will satisfy your stomach as well as your wallet earning New Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar 5 stars just for the value alone - which is the other important detail to note for those counting dollars and not calories.
Degustation - Check!
New Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar - Check!
Jewel Bako - I'm coming for you next..Listed in: I Creamed Myself
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Review from Jeff P.
Brooklyn, NY
2/10/2012
Awesome. Great little place to take a date. Fancy without pretention, but you feel like you know a cool little place that no one else does.
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Review from Jennifer R.
Brooklyn, NY
4/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Oysters...the perfect aphrodisiac for those who have been on a dry spell like my...nevermind. Bring a date, bring a friend, bring Mom and Dad...it's all good. Sit at the bar so you can watch the chef(s) quickly make each dish with precision. Don't sit at the bar if you're easily distracted and on a date. You might just get left hanging while your mouth is wide open watching the Texas Wagyu Beef being cut and plated. Do sit at the bar if you're date is hideous and you want out.
The Good Son:
East and West Coast Oysters - Really fresh and had a slight briny taste to them. The 2 sauces it came with were a bit different. One was a savory sauce and the other was a vinegar based sauce. I recommend the vinegar only because I love puckering my mouth to sour tastes.
Chef's Tasting Menu - For $50 you get ~6 small plates of apps, entrees, and a dessert. Good for sharing as well. The Striped Bass and Wagyu Beef were both particularly good. The Wagyu wasn't offered as a stand alone entree on the menu but was included on the Chef's Tasting Menu which is another reason to do the tasting.
Foie Gras - Do you really need a reason to get this? It was extremely creamy and simply delectable. Just do it.
Spirits - Decent selection of wine and you're given the option to get a glass, half bottle or full bottle. Beers are ~$5 and eclectic in selection. I recommend Ommegang Rare Vos which is a Belgian Amber Ale and the 2008 Great American Beer Fest Award Winner. Did I have to add that last part in? Yes.
The Bad News Bears:
Risotto - I haven't had enough risotto to distinguish what's good or bad but for one the bacon pieces seemed old, flavorless and a bit hard. The overall flavor of the dish was lacking something however the rice was cooked al dente. I'd pass on this dish.
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Being a sister restaurant of Jewel Bako ("for sushi snobs" as per NY Mag) just re-confirms NJLOB has it down pat.
When I'm feeling lonely, your oysters will be on my mind. -
Review from Bret H.
3/7/2011
It's hard to be fully, unreservedly satisfied with a $150 bill, but here we are. Food was just a dazzling display of flavors and textures.. the real standout was arctic char on a bed of fennel, warm on cool, buttery on a roundly-crunchy citrus. I don't rave about dessert often, but I will do so here: vanilla ice cream with apple balls, and broken bits of salted pie crust, basically remixing the apple pie, to wonderful effect.
I'm sure everyone will take away something different from the food here. But definitely, if you're into seafood, you should try it.
Slight downside: confronted with questions about sustainable sourcing, the staff seemed off-balance at first. Given that everything on the menu ultimately turned out to come from a good source, it seems like something they'd want to stay on top of. -
Review from Andrew W.
New York, NY
4/17/2011
Had the prix fixe menu, which was a great experience.
Plates are not large, but provide a nice walk through a variety of dishes. If you are looking for a quality dining time with top notch food without the pretension of a fancy restaurant this is the place to go.
Grab a seat at the bar and watch the show. -
Review from Dan S.
6/11/2011
Went here on a Friday around 10pm for a snack.
Super oysters! Expertly shucked, sublimely fresh, and served with some of the better mignonette and cocktail sauce I've had.
Also tried several items from the menu:
Arctic Char- was not raw- tasted a lot like salmon, served with skin, good
Beet Salad- cubes of beets with several other items like mini snap peas and greek yoghurt. this was fine
Diver scallop crudo- interesting combination. This had corn "nuts", citrus, radishes, melon. It was novel but I wouldn't order it again
Wagyu tartare- thin pancake of wagyu + scallions + mustard seeds with some greens and garnish on top. This was highly delicious- the mustard seeds had a very nice little crunch. Winner!
So- when I'm craving oysters in E Village, this'll be where to find me. Wild Edibles for Murray hill, blue ribbon in Soho. Still need tips on a good place in W Village and East 40s-50s! -
Review from Eric L.
Flushing, NY
12/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Food
I think all the dishes I have ordered were really good. But the octopus with cauliflower risotto and torchon of foie gras were outstanding. Octopus was cooked to perfect texture and taste. Foie gras with almond butter spread on toasted brioche is better than the grill cheese with foie gras at M. Wells.
Service
Waiting staff was very attentive, but the 6 dishes took 2 hours to serve. And I had wanted to order the wagyu steak, but was told they didn't have any. But saw another customer was enjoying it as I was leaving...tsk tsk -
Review from Eater G E.
New York, NY
11/17/2011
Food was good, server was ridiculously rude. We tried to order and the waitress told us we could either choose a tasting menu or share everything. Wouldn't go back again. The fois gras was extremely good tho. If you have a thick skin and don't mind it when waitresses are completely rude the fois gras was worth checking out.
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Review from Danny W.
Brooklyn, NY
12/8/2011
I had a hard time finding this gem the first time I came here; it's quite a small space with a very modest window-front. The inside is unsurprisingly tight, with only a few tables in front and bar in the back. What JLOB lacks in size, it definitely makes up for in food. The namesake oysters are very fresh and clean tasting--best enjoyed with a nice glass of wine and good company.
Be prepared though..portions are on the small side and prices on the high end. But if you are craving oysters, I couldn't recommend a better place in the area than JLOB. -
Review from Tram L.
Marina del Rey, CA
12/23/2011
The first time I went, it was AMAZING! The chef plays a lot with textures, so it keeps it really interesting but very well balanced. My only complaint is that I've been here about 4 times, each time doing the pre-fix menu, and 3 of those times have been a similar menu where we've already tried the same dish. I love pre-fixes for their originality and being able to taste a bit of everything. I'd still go back, I think it's great. Service is good - we never felt ignored or out of place. It's pretty casual, however, it is tiny!
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Review from Chris J.
11/24/2010
She reaffirmed her cougar status last night as she once again eclipsed me in age, which is to say she will now be older than me for another 4 months or so. We came here to celebrate her mommy and daddy making love on that fateful night that would produce Sally* on November 23.
She likes seafood and I like to consult Yelp. New Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar was the fruit of my labor, in addition to the mani/pedi, perfume, and CD.
I called on Monday for a reservation on Tuesday night at 7:30. It was a smart decision because the place got busy before we noticed, or maybe she got slightly tipsy before making the observation.
We had the tasting menu and the wine pairing. I must say this wasn't the best tasting menu ever, but she was happy and that means the world to me. The tasting menu was properly aligned with the pricing and that's pretty difficult to find in NYC, from my experience.
It was a special occasion and NJLOB delivered.
I would definitely recommend it.
What was her favorite dish [essentially being a pescatarian]? The beef. Hahaha. Go figure.
Happy Birthday, Sally*!
*Her name is not Sally. When I think of the name Sally, I just can't shake the image of ridiculous red-framed glasses on a talk show host. -
Review from Sarah L.
5/3/2011
The blessing and the curse of yelp for me has been this: reviews lead me to great places, and they often elevate my expectations.
Our dinner was very good, but I expected really special. We went with the prix fixe menu, which began with delightful oysters and a really yummy bite from the kitchen--seemed to be a fried risotto ball. I wanted an entree of those.
Next course was a scallop crudo with citrus and puffed rice. I liked the thoughts of all the components, but needed more zing. Was a little flat.
The artic char with crispy skin was a highlight. I'm generally a bit of a baby with skin, but this wasn't too fishy, was crisp and refreshing.
RIsotto was just OK. I think I feel like most risottos are just OK and should avoid them.
I believe the last savory course was a skirt steak? It was prepared sous-vide, which gave it a texture I really didn't care for. While it wasn't dry, it was rubbery, which took the experience a big step down for me.
Dessert was a nice popcorn ice cream with peanut brittle. Tasty.
Service was decent--definitely not overbearing and not 100% on top of everything either. I think they're limited on servers by their space. Ambiance is great and no pretense. For the price tag, I don't think I'd return. I wanted greatness and I got very good. -
Review from JulieJuli A.
New York, NY
Updated - 11/1/2010 1 Check-in Here
Julie
The menu has changed a bit and it wasn't difficult to get a seat on a friday evening without reservations. Brendan wasn't there and I haven't been around this place in quite some time so i do hope he's still around???
Started with a half dozen oysters for $15 and it was delicious. 2 types of toppings but I only remember the grapefruit. The other was i think a watermelon flavor. They were ohhh so fresh....
Then I went with the risotto and it was delicious. Made with a cured ham that reminds me so much of what I use to have in my childhood (chinese salted cured ham called "hwo tway"... that's the best I can do with the pronunciation)
Cuttlefish noodle was good but not memorable and can't taste it anymore.... roasted oysters was similarly good but uninspiring.
The Clams and chorizo came last and i was pretty hungry before this dish came. Thankfully, the size was still the same and 3 large pieces of bread for dipping into the flavorful soup/sauce.... The chorizo was not as good as I had remembered. Can't tell you what it is. But just not the same...
Still a fantastic experience but down a notch to a 4 star experience.... Oh and finished with warm apples for dessert topped with homemade vanilla ice cream. The ice cream was amazing.....Listed in: NYC must visits, Top Restaurants
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/21/2010
Julia
One of my favorite places in all of NYC or anywhere... And for some reason, I haven't been… Read more »
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Review from Astrid L.
New York, NY
10/12/2011
Great place to have oysters and champagne at the bar before heading out, the trouble is once you start you can't stop and you end up spending the evening there. The tasting menu is perfect, I really enjoyed everything I had and the kitchen crew was really entertaining...the staff was not so knowledgable so I wish to find out more about what came from where next time.
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Review from David W.
3/6/2011
So I'm not sure if this place is quite worth 5 stars, but it's definitely up there. If you're looking for a nice date spot in the EV that doesn't seem like a dime a dozen, this should be at the top of your list.
This is the way to do it, get the tasting menu, order a few more of the oysters a la carte, and get a few more dishes. The best dishes that you have to order (besides the oysters of course), I'd say were the lobster pot pie and the scallops. But they were all real good so definitely just jump into whatever you think sounds good.
I think the only thing that keeps me from giving it a fifth star is I feel like their menu is a little on the smallish side (e.g. only two dessert choices). Yeah that isn't a necessarily a bad thing if they do what's on their very well, but that and the $180 price tag for two may keep me from coming back soon given how many more places that I need to try in the area. -
Review from Matt R.
1/3/2011
This restaurant is small and almost hidden on 2nd ave in the east village, which I think adds something to the vibe of this relaxed yet surprisingly upscale eatery. The menu is pretty sophisticated (including everything from oysters to wagyu beef) and after taking a run through the tasting menu you are actually full unlike much more expensive establishments that lack the intimacy. The service was excellent as the servers were very knowledgeable about the food and even offered pairings with a number of the dishes.
I highly recommend checking this place out as its a killer date spot or just meeting up with a few friends to get some good eats.
I wish I knew about this place earlier. 5 stars without question. -
Review from spencer s.
Brooklyn, NY
2/2/2011
This place is wonderful. A friend secured a reservation for three and we had a great experience. The wait staff is very knowledgable, the atmosphere is intimate and the food exceptional.
If you are looking for a place to get lost in a fantastic food experience, then schedule a reservation; No more than four. Kick back, relax and spend your money.
If you like small portions and several courses, this is the place for you.
Above all, make sure you get the Oysters. -
Review from Ana G.
New York, NY
3/26/2011
Every once in 6 months I come across a dish that I need to think about and talk about for days. The entire tasting menu was delicious, but scallops were a gem that can't be topped.
Scallops crudo with pineapple and mint reduction offered such a plethora of delicate tastes and textures, it was such a treat!
In terms of atmosphere this place is tiny and very intimate and the service was knowledgeable and helpful. Can't wait to discover the rest of Jewel Bako group restaurants. -
Review from Joe K.
Manhattan, NY
12/5/2010
Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar is the type of restaurant that, as some saying or another has it, is right in my wheelhouse. Teeny little space where extra cleverness is required to squeeze in both customers and cooks? Check. Super friendly, knowledgeable service? Check. Really good food? Check. Owner hanging around so that you can see that he is serious about the endeavor? Check. Tasting menu (with accompanying wine pairings) so that I can dive right into the goodness without having to think too much? Double check. Celebrity sighting of the intellectual, non-Kardashian sort? Right on cue.
The outside front of Jack's suggests a spacious, modernist interior, something exactly the opposite of the cozy nook that actually awaits inside. It's sort of fun to watch the reaction of people as they enter and their eyes adjust to just how small the interior really is. I didn't count the seats, but I would estimate that between the tables and the counter seating around the kitchen, Jack's could handle no more than 20 customers at a time. And that is just the right size for the small staff, who work as a team and seamlessly switch from table to table as dishes emerge from the kitchen.
I won't itemize everything on the tasting menu, because it probably changes frequently, but it was rock solid food from the tiny oysters with cranberry gelee that started us off to the apple/dried apple/ice cream dessert that ended it. It is well worth the $55 cost. And the $45 wine pairing, while not especially creative, is carefully thought out and easily does its job of enhancing the food.
Did it just seem that half the people dining when I was there knew owner Jack Lamb personally, or where they actually all chums from way back when? From the greetings that flowed back and forth, it sure seemed that there was a lot of shared history. And that's great, it just enhances the cozy ambiance of the spot.
As for that celebrity sighting, Salman Rushdie with a hottie on his arm. Hey Padma, what did you have for dinner last Saturday? Hope it was good, because it sure seemed to me that between his lovely dining companion and the fantastic meal that I know he had, Salman enjoyed himself a great evening. So did I. -
Review from Darren S.
Ross, CA
5/31/2011
Absolutely phenomenal. Everything we had was amazing, obviously especially the oysters. Really good place for a date. Expect to be ordering a few different items off the menu. Was a bit pricey, but worth it.
Only gripe was that their wine paring the waitress suggested was alright at best for the particular items we ordered. Didn't distract too much from the overall experience though. -
Review from K P.
New York, NY
12/10/2010
Tiny but delicious portions. We went for the tasting menu and every dish was great. Pretty unique flavors and a few surprise ingredients (I have to admit, I didn't know watermelon seeds were even edible, but the toasted texture and flavor worked really well with fish). I'm not much of an oyster connoisseur, but my more discerning tablemates were pleased. Their land-based protein offering was a cube of Wagyu, cooked and seasoned to perfection.
People have mentioned the high price tag, given the lilliputian servings. I have to agree. It was basically a parade of amuse bouches. You're paying for some inventive cooking with fine ingredients--do not expect a Man vs Food type of scene here. Not a bad idea to map out a few post-dinner snack options in the area. We ended up heading straight to that Pommes Frites shop around the corner. -
Review from Lucy L.
8/20/2010
I am not too wild about this place. Probably shouldn't step into an Oyster Bar if I don't eat Oyster Bar.
The place is very hidden on 2nd ave if you don't pay attention. it's very easy to miss. I went in with friends without knowing this is an Oyster Bar,
They do have lots of stuff on the menu that's not Oyster, but mostly seafood. I ordered a bowl of calm it was tasty.
So why 3 stars? I personally think this place is overpriced and portion is small. not a place to go when you hungry. More like a place to go when you are on a date or chill with friends. After all I am not super impressed ! -
Review from Paul Y.
New York, NY
10/6/2010
Jack's is an absolute gem in the East Village. The small restaurant with no more than six 2-person tables and a kitchen bar is not ideal for a group, but great for a date.
I tried the $55 Tasting menu, and all of the dishes were small, well-balanced, light, and featured a great diversity of fresh flavors. It included Oysters, Diver Scallops, 2 types of fish, and a blueberry dessert.
The service was prompt, polite, and helpful. -
Review from Mel M.
Sunnyside, Queens, NY
8/5/2010
One word: heaven.
More words: I was 98% sure I met my perfect match during the cured arctic char with crispy potatoes. I was 100% sure by the sea-salt chocolate sorbet with Cuvée gelee and egg white foam.
Maybe I'm biased because this is where I fell in love with my future husband. But I'd like to believe there is a bit of magic in Jack's ethereal food.
Get the tasting menu and a glass of wine. Your life will only get better after that. I would give Jack's ten stars if I could.
Reservations are recommended. -
Review from Joanie K.
8/21/2011
love the cozy americana decor of this restaurant, perf for a first date
oysters were AMAZING - fresh and tasted like the sea. i loved the home made condiments
we also ordered the lobster pot pie and heirloom tomatoes... presentation was amazing but portions... if only all of america ate like this, no one would be obese!
so, come for the oysters and leave for dinner
