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Rodney's Oyster House
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am - 1 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
52 reviews for Rodney's Oyster House
Review Highlights
"We also partook in the lobster bisque which was a delicious..."
(in 12 reviews)
"A good pilser, clam chowder and a rice pudding usually top..."
(in 5 reviews)
"Rodney's is relatively pricey, but well worth it."
(in 3 reviews)
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52 reviews in English
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Review from Sean D.
Didn't have a reservation and the place was packed. We sat in the front area in front of the live crab and lobster tanks so it was entertaining while we waited. In a lobster vs crab battle, I think the crab may win. The lobsters claws seam more deadly, but the crabs are faster and more aggressive. Just my take. While we waited, the hostess took our order for drinks and treated us like we were already in the restaurant, checking on us every so often. The 30-40 min or so went by fast.
This time I splurged for the dungenous crab. It was crazy good. The waitress brought him by before he was cooked so I could say hi.
This place doesn't disappoint! This was the first visit where I did not have oysters, and it was still great.
Takes Amex1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/23/2011
One of my favourite spots in TO. Casual atmosphere, fantastic food and service. I have eaten… Read more »
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Review from lindsay s.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 11/15/2011
Love this place.
I usually get the special of the evening, and I'm never disappointed.
It's a bit pricy, but the quality speaks for itself.
It's worth every cent.
They also sell Lobster by the lb.
I ordered 3 for New Years last year, and was shocked at the quality and freshness. (Not cheap, at $120) -- BUT, worth every cent. They arrived in a ice packed box, moving. I still dream about those babies ... mmmm .. live, fresh lobster.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/7/2009
I have to admit, I always cringe when I see the bill at the end of our evening ... but it's worth… Read more »
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Review from Jason L.
East York, ON
11/10/2011
Me and my friend, frequent this place often. The servers are really nice and very knowledgeable. No other oyster house in Toronto can compare...and I'm not just saying that...Along with enjoying some raw oysters, they carry a more then decent beer menu.
Overall a great vibe, usually busy and good music selection...Zeppelin and oysters...Wicked!!! -
Review from Bonnie B.
Toronto, ON
2/9/2012
Consistently wonderful over the years!
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Review from Xi Y.
Toronto, ON
2/3/2012
The food is delicious, environment can be improved. I don't like the smell when I first walked in. But I have no complaints for the food.
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Review from Catherine M.
Toronto, ON
1/25/2012
Went here for a birthday party - group of 12. The food is delicious (I had the halibut), but the server was awful. I have never had such odd service, he just walked by the table and we'd have to yell at him what we wanted. He never stopped to take everyone's orders together. You practically had to beg place an order. As a result the mains all came out at different times, mine came a good 20 minutes after everyone else's. He never apologized. I never had a drink as I wasn't able to place one. The whole table was talking about how odd it was. Food was delicious, but the service was waaay off. Also an automatic tip of 20% for a group seems steep, maybe that's why he was so awful.
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Review from JP C.
Scarborough, ON
12/20/2011
Don't really know my way around oysters and the waiter was really helpful. and i didn't end up spending as much as I thought i would. . .. . .good spot.
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Review from Kat T.
10/23/2011
What's the big deal? I love oysters, but don't have a lot of peeps who will eat them with me. I went here on an impromptu dinner that was deemed my birthday party. Perhaps it was the high expectations and wanting to celebrate. But, the food was so disappointing. I did not get oysters, because nobody else was getting them.
Everyone's food came out cold-ish. Despite one of my friend sending hers back, I can't say anyone was excited at the end of the meal.
Music selection needs some work. -
Review from Angelica L.
North York, ON
11/5/2011
Oyster is really good. The selection of it is great too.
But!!!!!!!
The service was bad. I don't feel like a valued customer and I'll try to avoid coming back. -
Review from Kathy H.
Mississauga, ON
9/13/2011
My boyfriend was late like.... 30 minutes, due to traffic and parking, but the girl at the front (was training another girl that day), as busy as she was, allowed me to wait without losing my table. ALSO... a family came in, and the mother looked at her husband with big eyes and said, "Is she on crack?" about that girl. That's awful! Hope her kids learn better..
Anyways, our waiter was SOOOOO NICE, so awesome! Knowledgeable and always coming back to check on us. Other waiters passed by to give us the plate of condiments, that was nice too :) I was iffy about coming here due to past reviews of rushed service. Nope! Not my night! (7:30 dinner, not too busy)
It was our first time having fresh oysters on ice like this, and it was soooo delicious. We also ordered a plate of clams, also delicious. I had the Rodney's Feature Tap, and that was reeally good... some wheat beer.
Reservations were easy and quick. Service was pretty good. Oysters were reeally fresh! Really good :)! The beer was awesome. Also, the date was awesome. 5 stars -
Review from Rafi N.
Toronto, ON
6/28/2011 5 photos
Rodney's gave me my first oyster experience. It's a great restaurant with seafaring decor and exquisite service. I came here with a friend who's an expert on oysters.
*** FOOD ***
We ordered a platter of 12 oysters of 3 different types: New Zealand, American and Canadian. There are a lot of condiments to eat the oysters with, but I refrained from it so that I could get the true taste. However, I did squeeze some lemon juice on it. Oysters are an acquired taste, so I'll try to be objective.
* New Zealand *
These oysters were the saltiest. The meat is very soft and there is a lot of liquid in it compared to the others. These are easier to swallow than to chew.
* American *
These oysters were less salty than the New Zealand oysters. The meat was less soft and there wasn't as much liquid in it. These require just a couple chews or maybe a squishing with the tongue before swallowing.
* Canadian *
The best by far! These had the cleanest taste, not too salty. The meat was firm, requiring a little chewing before swallowing. There is still some liquid in it.
*** ATMOSPHERE ***
The restaurant is a few steps below ground level and there are no windows. All the furniture is made of wood, so it looks like you're in a wooden ship. The restaurant is well lit and it's clean, even the washrooms. There is some seafaring decor throughout, including a boat in the entrance. The ambiance is very relaxed and casual but don't be surprised to see some people dressed up since they might be on a night on the town.
*** SERVICE ***
Great service! Upon entering, we were quickly seated and greeted. When it was time to order, I told the waiter that I never had oysters before and he made some good suggestions. Our server explained the different types of oysters, their habitats and flavors. He was very well versed in oysterology. He was friendly, helpful and hospitable for the whole night.
*** PRICE ***
* 3 types of Oysters | $2.42 - $3.25 *
* Lug Tread Beer | $10 *
** Total | $54 **
I enjoyed the whole experience. The oysters and the lecture were definitely worthwhile. Money well spent!
*** MMMOLLUSCS ***
Rodney's is a great place to have oysters. Especially since I don't know much about them, it was also a very educational experience. I still haven't acquired the taste for oyster, but I don't find them disgusting. So I will definitely go back whenever I'm in the mood for oysters. -
Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
7/15/2011 4 photos
Rodney's Oyster House is THE PLACE to take my Yelp Drinking Buddy who never eaten oyster before in his life?!!
How can someone never eat oyster before?? Does he knows what he is missing??
The waiter was really excited when he find out that we have an oyster virgin in the house.. and I ended up letting him pick the selections of oysters that would have give my YDB a more unique experience.
YDB has a great time and I think he is ready for the next step of eating dozens of oyster and drinking all the beers and hang out as my oyster eating/drinking buddy! -
Review from Real B.
Toronto, ON
7/8/2011
As an oyster fiend, one of my most frequented restos in T.O. however recently the portions seem to have shrunk considerably. Sad panda :-(
also service is a little hit n miss, most of them have been there a long time and seem a tad jaded... otherwise Rodney's would be a 4 star. -
Review from Raj B.
Toronto, ON
3/16/2011
The food took forever to come out because of a mix-up, but we weren't charged for the dish (thanks!), so no complaints there. (Another Yelper says this place recently changed ownership -- maybe they're going through growing pains?)
The moules frites were excellent, but oddly not served with bread (isn't that how it's done?). I would have asked for some but the server was rarely to be seen, despite the place being pretty empty late in the evening.
Our brownie-based dessert was unbelievably fresh, delicious and well presented (which was unexpected, for an oyster joint!)
Be warned: the menu is pretty pricey (but other Yelpers say it's worth it...). Also, there's a $5 charge to split a dish (a huge pet peeve of mine -- you want to charge us more for eating less?!)
I like the decor a lot -- heavy woods and hefty fixtures create a maritime feel, but without going "overboard" (har har!). Being located on a tiny sidestreet off of Bay Street also adds to its cozy feel. -
Review from Laura P.
Toronto, ON
2/21/2011
Oysters? Perfect. Service/ambiance/New England clam chowder? Meh.
I came to Rodneys for dinner with a few friends. We decided to start with some oysters, which were wonderful. I had the kusshi, raspberry and one other type (I believe it started with a C). They all tasted super fresh and delicious. They serve your table's oysters on one large, ice-covered plate with an enormous selection of condiments on the side. Since I prefer my oysters with just a squeeze of lemon and maybe some mignonette, I didn't use much of the condiment tray. But I would imagine there's something there for everyone!
After oysters we had bowls of New England clam chowder. This was actually my first time having clam chowder, but it wasn't anything exciting. It was creamy, salty soup with chewy chunks (what I assume were the clams??), and the occasional potato. It didn't really taste like anything, other than salt. I can't say it was impressive, or really worth the 11$.
Our server seemed annoyed by our presence the entire time we were there. That was probably the most off-putting part of the whole experience. He answered our questions in a snarky, sarcastic way. Maybe that's supposed to be part of the "charm"? Or maybe he just didn't want to serve us. Either way, we didn't feel welcome, so we decided to end our dinner there and head elsewhere for after-dinner snacks.
5 stars for the oysters alone, but I'm giving the overall review 2, taking into consideration the service and clam chowder. -
Review from Justin B.
Etobicoke, ON
5/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
A party of three had clam chower, lobster, crab and 18 different oysters. While the service was subpar the food made up for any lack of attention. Great simply served lobster and crab with butter warmers.
The Loch Ryan flat oyster from Scotland was great so were the Black pearl from BC. The different sauces were a good touch.
I would return for oysters for sure.
Bill came to $227 plus tax and tip!
The 2.5 pound crab was $70 holy moly! -
Review from Jan C.
10/14/2011
Super fun place with great service and awesome oysters. I liked the ambiance, casual and fun but great food and drinks. We stayed a long time and the waiter never pressured us to hurry. The oysters were right on the money. I also had an awesome New Orleans bananas flambe for dessert, one of my favorites! This would be a regular spot for me if I lived nearby.
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Review from Sergey S.
4/23/2011
Not recommended.
Noisy, crowdy, packed place. If you try to drop in, only the bar would be available. I tried a couple of times, no luck.
Service is aggressive, though on a positive side. Those guys are the only reason I was potentially thinking to give Rodney's just one more try before dropping their rating to "avoid".
But - but! - the kitchen is bad. Not just "lacking something". No-no, plain and straight - unable to deliver what they are there for.
Plates looks like some professional chef back in time designed them, but nowadays the feat is expected to be repeated by a group of barely trained folks who are constantly in rush - and they fail predictably.
Piece of fish, burned on the sides and raw in the middle, sprayed with pepper like it's a Middle Eastern protester, deadly over-salted, smallish size, with pieces of spine in it - for almost thirty bucks? Gimme a break...
Maybe the trick is in oysters? Like, you can spoil every little piece of seafood, but oysters are just that - either fresh or not? So maybe the hardcore oysters' fans may like Rodney's, but than it is clearly not a seafood restaurant - just an "oysters place". Hopefully. -
Review from michelle r.
Toronto, ON
3/16/2011
If you have been to Rodney's in Vancouver, this is NOT the same.
The ambiance was lacking, and they do not have their famous West Coast Caesars. Menu is much smaller than Van.
However food was decent and once we got to chatting with our server (used to work at the real Rodneys) we really liked him.
Want delicious seafood in TO? Try Oyster Boy. Mmmmm -
Review from Sharky L.
Toronto, ON
10/27/2010
I went to a party that had complimentary oysters, had a few and wanted more but it was all gone. So my girlfriend and I went to Rodney's, her favourite oyster place. And now it's mine favourite!
We had the house oyster from Rodney's Oyster farm and the large Gilden ones which I like a lot better. And we had a scallop pasta.
Price came to $90 for a midnight snack but well worth it. Yummy.Listed in: Romantic Date places
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Review from Soukia S.
Toronto, ON
3/16/2011
Some people like oysters, some people don't -- I'm of the people that do like oysters. Now, nothing beats fresh out-of-the-sea kind of oysters from say, the south of France; but if you find yourself in and around the King and Spadina area of Toronto, Rodney's is truly the next best thing!
Jennifer L. and I sat at the bar and watched as they shucked our oysters. With a large variety of these little critters from around the world, we ended up with a selection from mostly out East, chosen by our server. We also partook in the lobster bisque which was a delicious affair.
My guess is that the oysters averaged about $2.50 each, dishes were mostly in the $12 range while the main seafood dishes went into the $20 so you will most likely be spending upwards of $30/per person.
For those of you still on the fence about oysters, this would be a good place to re-visit your mollusks palette! -
Review from Ashleigh G.
Toronto, ON
11/7/2010
Just about my favorite restaurant in Toronto.
I wouldn't change a thing about Rodney's. They've found the perfect balance between casual and fancy. It's high end without being too pretentious.
Their waiters are always so cool - but manage to be even friendlier than they are hip. And, most importantly, they serve the best seafood in the city. They really know their stuff and are happy to spend some time explaining the daily specials and the oyster menu.
Definitely pricier, but worth splurging on special occasions with a lobster and oysters. -
Review from En L.
9/5/2011 2 photos
Best oysters place ever! It had the best and freshest oysters i had in Toronto. Love the variety of sauces! The scallop was excellent...they served the whole scallop, including the roe which is the best part! The spicy grilled octopus was not bad either. The patio is lovely during the summer.
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Review from Belinda I.
North York, ON
9/19/2011 3 photos
This is my 10th time to this restaurant. Lots of oysters selection. If it wasn't for the poor service and cooked food, I wouldve gave it a 4 star for oysters selection and quality. Cause the scallop pasta that I had was so rubbery. The halibut that my friend order was drier than my face :(. The waitress that I had on Friday night wasn't the friendliest either (I guess she's new).
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Review from Larry L.
Toronto, ON
12/6/2010
There are very few places i'd trust to eat raw seafood. I have a "delicate" digestive track. That being said, Rodney's never lets down. I've been going for over 10 years, and had them cater a party too. True, it's expensive, but if you're out on the town for oysters, what do you expect? they have a tiny menu, but what they do well, they do VERY well.
Normally when I go I just ask the waitress what's good and then ask her for a selection of all of that. The shucking is also great. I hate having sand in my oyster, but I've never had to worry about that here, as oppose to many other places I've tried in and outside of Toronto. A good pilser, clam chowder and a rice pudding usually top off the meal. The only thing I'd complain about, and it's not so much of a complaint as it is a "hmmm" issue, is that the tables seem very far apart. It makes the experience seem a bit isolated - and sometimes I just have the feeling to tell my neighbour, "hey, this is amazing, have you tried it?" -
Review from andrew a.
9/15/2010
I wont dive into a lengthy tribute to rodneys oysters, as you can very well read below, the oysters and seafood here are fantastic. Today I am paying tribute to a lonely sandwich that truly deserves tribute, Rodneys lobster club. ive never before had such a fantastic club sandwich and most likely wont ever again until i return.
Place has great seafood and wow what a sandwich, but what kind of seafood restaurant doesnt offer a nice bloody ceasar along with my oyster, they have 0 booze ( no vodka, no gin, no tequilla, no nothing) which essentially takes away from the experience. -
Review from Isabella L.
Toronto, ON
9/26/2010 2 photos
3.7
As a birthday gift I came here with a friend and treated her to dinner. It was almost empty when we went, so we decided to sit at the bar where all the action was goin' on.
Order: Dozen oysters (The servers selection) + 2lb Dungeness Crab
Coming from different parts of the world such as New Zealand, New Brunswick, and P.E.I, I liked the N.Z and PEI's the best. They all had a lovely natural sweet and fresh oyster flavour. Placed infront of us were almost 6 differnet kinds of sauces, I did not want to overpower the natural flavour so I only tried two or three. That being said, I like the oysters at its' most natural with a small squeeze of fresh lemon juice!
That crab.....y'know even if I describe it as "the best and most freshest crab" ever, you really have to try it yourself. It was steamed to perfection and the juices of the natural flavour were just intensified. It was amazing, really.
My server behind the bar was a bit intimidating... 'cause we took so long to order and I absolutely hate people who just stand there and don't give you any privacy. It makes you feel like you need to hurry up. It's probably because we were just teens and he thought we didn't have money. Hate that. But moving along...
T'was was pricey, indeed. Came to about $120 (including tax + tip) and were weren't full, but we were just right. Still, since it's my friend's birthday it was well worth it! I suggest this place for a nice special occasion or just a good seafood dinner.
PS: my friend got diarreah later so idk.... you be the judge of that. (I personally didn't get it) -
Review from Mark K.
11/28/2010
Four of us had a delightful dinner at Rodney's on King St. West. After dinner, Rodney himself visited our table, and we had our group picture taken behind the oyster bar (so yes, he's there).
We had our primary waitress, but another waiter also checked on us, refilled water, served food, etc. Based on other postings, it would appear they've responded and stepped up service to a 4-star level.
Our waitress recommended, then promptly served beautiful oysters. She helpfully suggested choices from among the many available sauces. We also had chowders which were terrific.
We ordered lobster, dungeness crab, and fresh scallops. Our waitress introduced us to the live lobster and crab before carrying them off to the kitchen! They were prepared perfectly, having done some of the work to make eating easy. All the necessary tools came along too.
We didn't sample any wine or beers because we had show tickets at Princess of Wales Theatre, which is a short 10 minute walk down King Street.
The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because there was time between finishing our soup and dinner service. That may have been delays in the kitchen, or just the time it took to prepare fresh shellfish. That said, both of our servers let us know they were checking on our food, so we didn't feel forgotten.
If going to the theatre in Toronto and in the mood for seafood, DEFINITELY put Rodney's on your list. -
Review from Jenny T.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 8/3/2011
Still a great spot for fresh oysters and any other seafood you are craving. Their lobster and crab are always cooked to perfection. The service seems to be going downhill. I've been back a few times in the past 2 years and the service is not consistent. Sometimes we get a nice server, sometimes we get snarky servers that make us feel like a bother just for placing an order or refuse to let us pull over an extra table when ours is too full of food and the place is empty. I will still return though cause the food really is that good. If all I wanted were oysters though, I'd head to Oyster Boy
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/19/2009 ROTD 7/30/2009
I have been to this place about 8 times and every time I left, I felt as though I'd had the best… Read more »
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Review from Noemi W.
Halifax, NS
1/7/2011
An old friend of the family's told me to go to Rodney's for oysters - they said they knew the owner and loved the place. I have to agree with them. Though I've never met the owner personally, I definitely recommend this restaurant/bar to anyone who enjoys fresh seafood. Even if you don't like oysters, that's fine. There are other items on the menu that you might like, and, at worse, you can still enjoy the great ambience and the bar.
My recommendation would be to sit at the bar so that you get a front row seat of the oyster shuckers. The restaurant itself is also quite pleasant with wooden booths and it is nicely-laid out. The photographs around the restaurant are interesting to look at.
I went this past Friday (in January) and Rodney's was not even half full. Apparently, January is the quietest month. For those who criticized the speed of the service, the oysters are freshly shucked as the order comes in and that takes a little while. I can imagine that if it was a packed Friday night in the summer, the service might be much slower. As it was though, the service was efficient and extremely friendly.
I eat a lot of oysters. These are as fresh as they come. We also tried the Manhattan clam chowder (tomato-based soup) and the New England clam chowder. They were both delicious, but I think I would stick with the original New England version. We also had a half-order of steamed mussels and a half-order of steamed clams. These came in a delicate sauce, much like what you would get at a seaside restaurant in the Maritimes. No cream here! Just white wine, lemon and some onions.
I think the best thing about Rodney's is that you can get a half-order of pretty much anything on the menu. This is great for someone like me who wants to try as much as possible but doesn't want to eat an enormous amount. -
Review from Randy F.
3/9/2009 4 photos
If you love oysters, definitely come here.
Arriving at 7 pm, I was once again struck at how empty this supposedly popular place was. By 8:30, the place was filled, once again confirming that Toronto people eat late.
I really loved the friendly and laid back vibe, but especially loved the selection. Our oyster platter consisted of 6-7 variations of East Coast variety that I rarely try being from the West Coast. A large selection of sauces (from mild to spicy hot) was also available.
Add plenty of beers on tap, clam or oyster chowder, and steamed clams and you've got a winning recipe. Prices are reasonable given the seafood and service is quick and prompt.
Rodney's accepts credit cards including American Express. -
Review from Monica S.
6/10/2009
Sitting at the bar with an old friend, enjoying a glass of wine, talking about relationships while slurping down delicious oysters... priceless
I love oysters and order them as much as I can.. These by far are the best I've had! -
Review from Antony C.
7/7/2009
If you like oysters, a stop at Rodney's is a must! They had over a dozen to try when I went. I sampled a large variety including Lameque Verte (NB), Totten Virginica (WA), Glidden Point (ME), Island Creek Shell (MA), Oak Island (NS), Onset Bay (MA) and Kumamoto (WA).
My favorites were the Totten and Island Creek. The Totten were medium-sized, medium salinity, plump with a an almost buttery finish. Island Creek were similar minus the buttery finish and a little more salty. Lameque was pretty safe being medium-sized and not salty. On the other end, the Kumamoto were small and very salty.
Other tasty dishes that I got to try were the New England Clam Chowder, Jerk Shrimp and Nice Fundy Scallops. Everything tasted great and was cooked perfectly.
Service was very friendly. Really liked the restaurant decor too. Will definitely be going back. -
Review from Peter M.
Toronto, ON
4/2/2010
I'm kind of disappointed. I'd been hearing how great Rodney's is and a trip there was a nice opportunity to see if it was up to the hype.
It's a beautiful day today, so let's focus on the positive: fantastic oysters. We had an assortment that our server suggested and they were all brilliant. Chiefly among them the Kumamoto oysters were delicious. But then I think that Kumamoto oysters kind of fall into the same category as garlic and ginger: you can really never go wrong with them.
Also in the positive: you can get 1/2 orders of the main dishes which is pretty great. I had a soup and 1/2 an order of the scallops which were (while not great) pretty darn good. Fantastic for those for whom variety is the spice of life.
So why was I disappointed? As others have commented, the service was pretty bad. It took 45 minutes from our reservation time to get seated and our drinks ordered. Another 30 minutes for the main dishes. In fairness, they seemed a little understaffed so I put it on management.
I think it was also a little expensive but whatever.
The wine list was ok. I was a little disappointed that they did not have more wines by the glass. Also only beer and wine which is a little odd for a place that "nice" but licenses will be what they will be.
The soup was tasty but a little thin. It was advertised as shrimp and crab but there were only two shrimp in the soup. Not a deal breaker because of the good broth but kind of disappointing.
The whole crabs and lobsters looked pretty good and maybe if I had tried them, this review would be different.
The obvious comparison is Oyster Boy. I like Oyster Boy a lot and just for service and prices, I think Oyster Boy gets the nod here but Rodney's oysters (and oysters alone) make it kind of close.
As with some other places I've written up, I'm not averse to going back but I have no burning desire to do so. If I got back, I think I'll stick to the oysters and wine and hope to be out in less than two hours. -
Review from Victoria M.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 1/2/2010
Okay so here's the update.... Rodney is no longer the owner and this place has officially gone down hill. The service is slow and the server was not aware of the patrons. They have people who don't know how to shuck oysters shucking them... they get your oyster order incorrect even when it's a simple one.... just to name a few things I experienced today.
When you have a bill that's going to be more than a few hundred dollars you're gonna expect a bit more.
I was not the only one who had this experience. For example, the people who were at the table next to mine had be sitting there for 45min. waiting for oysters- they only ordered 12.
I also noticed a group of 4 or 5 had left just as my party and I came in and the table didn't get cleaned till another hour went by. And it's not like the place was busy by any means.. there were 18 people in the whole restaurant (yes, I counted).
Clearly the ball has been dropped and it's actually not worth it to go here till it gets rolling again.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/31/2009
Rodney's is the best place to go in Toronto for seafood.
If you're a fan of lobster they have the… Read more »
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Review from Andrea H.
2/25/2009
Rodney's is perfect if you want the freshest oysters and service that manages to be both laid-back and professional.
Oysters are the main draw here - close to a dozen varieties, all perfectly fresh every time. The excellent staff know their stuff and can tell you which oysters are at their best. Main courses are good and well-prepared. The wine and beer list is small but thoughtfully selected to go with the fresh seafood.
The service is East-coast hospitable - I've been here in jeans and straight from work in a suit and felt comfortable either way. Little touches make a huge difference.Once I was running a little late, and they brought my dinner companion an "amuse-guele" on the house while he waited. I ordered a beer before dinner which I didn't finish before the oysters and wine to match arrived - and our waiter brought over an ice bucket - unasked - to keep my pint cold while I had my glass of wine. We ordered a lot of oysters and weren't sure we were hungry enough to each have a main course; not only was sharing a main absolutely fine, but they brought it on two plates.
Rodney's is good, fresh seafood, simply but expertly prepared, with unpretentious, hospitable service. If you like oysters, this is about as good as it gets. -
Review from Melinda M.
Toronto, ON
8/9/2009 1 Check-in Here
I love Rodneys. I have been visiting Rodneys since I was a New Yorker visiting Toronto, and I try to go at least 3-4 times a year. A special occasion? Rodneys. Looking for a snack and a drink on King West? Rodneys. In the mood for some late night oysters? Again, Rodneys. I always try to get a spot at the oyster bar and watch the expert shuckers do their thing. I also always have at least a couple dozen oysters and a fine tap beer, and then am open to trying anything else. Anything else ranges from periwinkles to chowder to clams. It's all good.
The oysters are what makes the place though, and the selection is among the best I've seen. I recommend trying as many different oysters as you can. Rodney's always has a different choice, and they know how to shuck em!Listed in: 5 star reviews: Food and Drink
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Review from Jason K.
11/24/2010
key notes about rodney's:
- they have great oysters and stars for shuckers. a lot of east coast oysters on deck right now - definitely recommend the raspberry points, and the mystics. their man man behind the bar doing all the shucking (missed his name), told us that his record for one night was shucking 2,000 oysters. no joke.
- they currently have a couple of specials going on - and the spicy dungeness (sp?) crab soup is fantastic. as is their hot smoked salmon. hmmmm....
- a totally unpretentious place and extremely down to earth.
- a little pricey for a tuesday evening, but worth the splurge if you can do it up.
- last night was my first time, but won't be the last...
- and one random note about the men's room. there happened to be a lot of really "artsy" black and white photos of women's private parts. was a serious surprise when i went for a wee when i looked up at the art work.... -
Review from Jonathan C.
8/15/2010 1 photo
I should preface this by saying I've only had oysters on a handful of occasions before coming here. Not knowing my oysters, the waiter suggested we order a dozen of the staff's selection. Simply put, they tasted fresh and were delicious.
We also got a 2 1/2 lb dungeness crab. I have had more experience with crab and I have to say this was probably the best crab I've ever had. It tasted fresh and was seasoned/cooked just right. We didn't even notice but our conversation stopped for a good 10-15 minutes while we were working on the crab because it was just so good.
I didn't really get a chance to appreciate the atmosphere of the restaurant. We didn't make a reservation so we just sat up at the bar. In retrospect, I probably should have waited for a table. The shuckers worked at the bar and it made for an extremely busy place because the orders for oysters kept coming in. Also, I think the service may have been a bit slower at the bar.
The final tab came out to more than we expected but, for once, it was worth the money. -
Review from Richie S.
1/13/2010
Rodney's USED to be my favourite place to come for oysters. We had a group of 5 visit recently after work. The place was Empty and we were give a large booth in the bowels of this establishment. I don't think we saw another patron for about an hour in to us being there. anywhooo...I always went for the periwinkles immediately and this time they were uninspired and rubbery.
I quickly learned that you have to get here fairly early to have a nice selection of the day's catch and we were lucky to get everything we ordered, but this place is just missing "something" now.
I was hoping O****r Boy would light a fire under the owners, but no. No longer worth the bill at the end of the meal.
