September 2018 review / July 2016 review
Oyster's And Cocktails
St. Petersburg, Florida USA
Cuisine Style: Seafood, Tavern
Average Price: $
Overall Rating: 3/5
Dined in: July 2016
Article updated: November 2018
Article updated: November 2018
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for
Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:
The Oyster Bar Zomato rating:
The Oyster Bar Executive Chef:
Mohammed Hassan
This article was updated in November 2018
What else is there to do on a Sunday? A famous line I always enjoyed by Steve McQueen from the 1968 classic The Thomas Crown Affair, where he wagers thousands of dollars on a golf game, and when he loose's, he uses that famous line. The food scene in St. Petersburg and Tampa as I have said time and time again in other articles is fantastic. A great variety and choices, atmosphere, modern trends, you name it and these two cities have it. The Oyster Bar is no exception to that rule. Perfectly located on Central Avenue North a few blocks from the Bay, where parking can be a hassle, but otherwise worth it to visit this restaurant.
Centrally located defines this restaurant, to say the least. It is surrounded by a very large entertainment scene of St. Petersburg with neighbors such as Lux Bar and Lounge, A Taste For Wine, Five Bucks Drinkery, and Ruby’s Elixir just to name a few. It was a Sunday that my fiancé and I came in for a visit, hopping from place to place grabbing some quick bites and cocktails. Mid afternoon and the bars mentioned above were packed out, the patios full even though it was a hot and humid July day, with local singers at every separate location drowning themselves out as you walked from business to business. Arriving at The Oyster Bar, all tables were full as well as the bar but too hot for the patio. We got lucky finding two open seats at the bar from some folks just leaving, and took advantage of it. The bar tender was busy which was understandable with the crowd. We ordered some cocktails while reviewing the menu:
- Oysters + Raw Bar
- Baked Oysters
- Fried Oysters
- Oyster Shooters
- Appetizers + Small Plates
- Soups + Salads
- Seafood
- Meat + Poultry
- Desserts
- Sunday Brunch
My wife started off with the garden party cocktail, which consisted of Hendricks gin, lychee liqueur, fresh lime, cucumber, strawberries, and a mint garnish. Normally I’m not a big cocktail person. I enjoy drinking wines, scotch, and on occasion some beer. So I was out of my element but gave one a try picking the old Cuban cocktail simply because I liked the name. The mixture was Sailor Jerry spiced rum, with grapefruit bitters, fresh lime, mint, and a splash of processco. Their cocktail menu was impressive with 14 different recipes, plus five oyster shooter cocktails. Everything from a little Havana mojito, to an apple-pear martini, was available. For local beer favorites they offered four from the Tampa area starting with the Cigar City Brewing Company which I’ve seen at several restaurants from Sarasota up to Tarpon Springs, a Belgian style brown ale from the Rock Brothers, the Coppertail Brewing Company with a porter called night swim, and the Tampa Bay Brewing Company’s American style pale ale called the reef donkey. Closing out the locals were an apple cider from Two Henry’s in Plant City, and from Odessa, an amber ale called the wavemaker from the Big Storm Brewing Company. There are of course several others on the list from different parts of the states and the world. Yuengling is mentioned as being from Tampa on their menu, though it is a Pennsylvania beer, most likely produced at a local brewing plant in Tampa.
The first page of their main food menu was dedicated to their namesake, oysters. From the raw bar with selections from the local Apalachicola to selections from the East and West Coast (MKT). The baked oyster selections with classics such as Rockefeller with hollandaise, spinach, and chorizo, The Australian "Style" Kilpatrick, Three Cheese + Artichoke, and Ole’ Chipotle to name a few and all for $12.
 |
| Picture courtesy of The Oyster Bar |
From the fried oyster section, you had a Cajun, O.B Buffalo with blue cheese fondue and sriracha, Mexican oysters with spice and cream, garlic parmesan, honey soy BBQ, and a sweet chili Philli with cream cheese and dill. Both the baked and fried selections came with your choice of a half or full dozen. The oyster shooter section had selections such as the classic with vodka, tabasco, and lemon juice, the T-Killer with peppers, lime juice, and tequila, the hangover with vodka, zing-zing, and horseradish. The gin junkie finishes up the selections with gin, cucumber, and lemon juice.
 |
| Picture courtesy of The Oyster Bar |
Since we were here for a quick bite and would come back at another time to enjoy a full meal, I wanted to try a selection, which is perfect considering you could choose a sampling of either the raw, baked, or fried oysters. I chose a half dozen sampler of two separate oysters from the fried portion. Pictured below were the garlic parmesan, and the Cajun.
While my wife and I enjoyed this oyster selection, she also enjoyed a glass of Collefrisio Rosé from the Twelve Bottles Winery in the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo region of Italy. According to the winemakers notes the nose is a nice fruity scent, containing hints of cherry and cherry plum, and on the palette offers A fresh, fragrant and lasting taste, well balanced and with good structure. The fruitage is well integrated with the olfactory sensation.
If oysters do not suit your palette, then don’t let the restaurant name scare you away. They have a full menu from appetizers, soups, seafood, meats, and poultry to choose from. You can start with a chicken satay covered in a Thai peanut glaze, blue cheese fries with bacon, chives, and fondu, or a lump crab cake with pineapple salsa to name a few. Their soup selections are all shellfish with a choice of either a seafood chowder, sweet corn and crab bisque and an oyster stew with deglazed sherry and roasted potatoes. For salads, you have your classics from house or Caesar, a strawberry beet salad with spinach, goat cheese, and basil, and crab + arugula with avocado and grapefruit over the rocket leaves, and finally a creamy lobster salad with spring greens.
Their Seafood selections include a pan-roasted salmon (pictured below) with a basil hollandaise, and vegetable risotto, a local red grouper encrusted with bacon and parmesan, tomato beurre blanc, + roasted potatoes, and a crawfish pasta with a creole red sauce, to name a few. There are eight separate fish selections, and you can also add shrimp, scallops, or lobster to any order. You can also if hungry enough order a seafood feast with a trio of bacon-parmesan crusted grouper, shrimp, and crab cakes with steamed broccoli, and mashed potatoes.
 |
| Picture Courtesy of The Oyster Bar |
Five selections are offered under the meat and poultry section with a prime sirloin, a ribeye steak, braised duck leg, an herb roasted airline chicken breasts, and an air-chilled Sousvide chicken with potato + bacon hash, corn relish, and sweet tomato aioli. You can also combine the meat with a lobster tail surf and turf with béarnaise sauce, tomato beurre blanc, broccoli, and potatoes. Vegetarian options are also available. For side items, they have a selection of different vegetables, stone ground grits, and potatoes to choose from as well. On Saturday's and Sundays, you can also enjoy a Brunch menu from 11-4 with à la carte classics like eggs benedict, quiche lorraine, and lobster rolls, to name a few.
Dessert:
Though we were doing a bar and restaurant hop, we could have had dessert, but instead moved on. Dessert will defiantly be a must when we return for a full meal. From their menu they had selections such as an almond crusted fried cheesecake - they had me at fried and at cheesecake yum yum!! A strawberry rhubarb pie, Key lime pie, bread pudding, and a chocolate peanut butter pie.
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Other noteworthy Seafood and Tavern articles and restaurants similar to The Oyster Bar:
A tavern is a place of business where people gather to drink alcoholic beverages and be served food, and in most cases, where travelers receive lodging such as an Inn. The word derives from the Latin taberna or the Greek Taverna, whose original meaning was a shed, workshop, stall, or pub. In the English language, a tavern was once an establishment which served wine whilst an inn served beer and ale.
McCrady’s Tavern Acclaimed high-concept inspired Farm-to-Table tavern in Charleston, South Carolina
Tapas 218 Cozy tavern severing traditional Spanish small plate cuisine in Canton, Ohio
The Pegasus Arms Casual tavern serving contemporary New Zealand cuisine in Christchurch, New Zealand
Seafood:
Alioto’s Restaurant Historic restaurant serving Sicilian-infused seafood in San Francisco, California
Bonefish Grill Contemporary 200+ chain with a seafood-centric menu; reviewed in St. Petersburg, Florida
Hank’s Seafood A classy southern seafood eatery house in Charleston, South Carolina
Moshulu New American dining on a restored ship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Perla’s Seafood and Oyster Bar Laid-back Cape Cod-style seafood restaurant in Austin, Texas
Red Snapper Kiwi “fush n’ chups” takeaway restaurant in Sumner, New Zealand
Two Oceans Restaurant Seafood and sushi with panorama views of Cape Point, South Africa
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other St Petersburg restaurants and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
|
A Fusion of Thai and Mexican Cuisine
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
An Asian-Fusion Gastro Pub
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
Cal-Italian Cuisine, at the Sundial
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
|
A Few Florida Favorites:
|
Creative Mexican eats and decor
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Nautical themed American eats with a Caribbean flair
St. Pete Beach, Florida, USA
|
Rustic Italian bistro with modern takes on classic dishes
Winter Park
|
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
Final notes, review basics, observations, and more pictures:
Most reviews are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsible, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience to the best of the writer's knowledge, even if it includes metaphors the restaurant may not like to read about. My ratings are by the stars I award (from 0 to 5). The rating is calculated on a point accumulation of six separate factors based on individual experience. They include wine and other beverage selections, plate presentation, customer service, restaurant or café ambiance, food quality, and wow factor. To see more details of this rating list, read this article:
Overall from this experience, and the score factors outlined in the ‘about page’ section, based on my individual experience and rating, I give The Oyster Bar a 3 out of 5 stars, meaning that they exceeded my expectations and were far above the average dining experience of most restaurants.
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
| Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings for The Oyster Bar | Max Points Possible: | Total Points Awarded: | Total Points deducted: |
| Ambiance | 11 | 9 | 2 |
| Food quality | 11 | 8 | 3 |
| Plate presentation | 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Customer service | 12 | 10 | 2 |
| Alcohol and other beverages | 9 | 7 | 2 |
| Total regular points awarded | 53 | 39 | 14 |
| Total percentage — less the Bonus | 0.735849056603774 | ||
| “Wow” factor BONUS | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Total bonus percentage | 0.0188679245283019 | ||
| Total percentage and bonus for a final star rating | 0.824316981132075 | ||
| Stars Awarded (see chart below) | 0 - 5 | 3 |
**A full break down and explanation of the observations and point disbursement is available in the linked article above. To receive a detailed copy of your score, feel free to contact me at any time and I will provide it to you.**
Overall Star Rating:
|
3 of 5 Stars:
82% Rating with a 1 point “wow” bonus
Exceeded My Expectations in a Dining Experience
|
Wine List:
| |
The Oyster Bar
Wine rating:
|
6 of 10
Old World selections:
France, Germany, Italy, Spain
New World selections:
Argentina, Australia, California, New Zealand, Oregon, South Africa, Washington State
|
Corkage fees:
|
The Oyster Bar does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge $25.00 per bottle
|
Restaurant style:
|
Casual dining
|
Cuisine Style at The Oyster Bar:
|
American, Seafood
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Low Carb Choices, Pescatarian, Vegetarian Options
|
Reservations:
|
Not Required, but Recommended
Walk-Ins:
Accepted, but not guaranteed
|
Dress code:
|
Casual attire
It’s Florida, everybody wear’s flip-flops!
|
Child policy:
|
The Restaurants reviewed on this site may have a kids menu or cater to them; however, for full enjoyment of food and wine, it is recommended that kids not to be in attendance, unless they have been trained in proper etiquette.
If not then:
Hire a Babysitter!
|
The Oyster Bar Experiences:
|
Contemporary, Modern, Trendy, Hotspot, Rustic, Great brunch, Tourist grabber, and a Neighborhood Gem
|
Payments:
|
Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
|
Parking:
|
The Oyster Bar has a street meter parking
|
Wifi:
|
The restaurants reviewed on this site may have Wi-Fi, but do not require you to go online, because the excitement of the food and wine alone will keep you too entertained instead of checking your social media and emails.
|
Noise level:
|
Loud
|
Smoking:
|
The Oyster Bar is a non-smoking restaurant
WARNING: has a smoking patio
|
Patio or terrace:
|
Yes
|
ARE YOU ENJOYING THIS ARTICLE ON THE OYSTER BAR SO FAR? PLEASE CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING TO RECEIVE NEW POSTS OR SHARING ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA!!
Food Prices
(excluding, alcohol, taxes & gratuity)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00
**Currencies chosen reflect the world’s major travelers and restaurant connoisseur’s**
My food bill:
|
Currency:
|
Price chart:
|
$15.00
|
United States Dollar (USD)
|
$
|
$20.00
|
Australian Dollar (AUS)
|
$
|
£12.00
|
Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
|
£
|
$20.00
|
Canadian Dollar (CAN)
|
$
|
¥100.00
|
Chinese Yuan (CNY)
|
¥¥¥
|
€13.00
|
European Union (EUR)
|
€
|
Alcohol Prices:
$27.00
The Oyster Bar
249 Central Ave,
St. Petersburg, Florida
33701, United States
33701, United States
Contact Information:
| Restaurant website: | The Oyster Bar |
Maître d or host:
| +1 727 897 9728 |
Online reservations
| Website |
| Website Contact: | Contact The Oyster Bar |
| Serving hours: Eastern Standard Time (GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00) | Mon-Thur 11:00 am - 12:00 am Fri-Sat 11:00 am - 3:00 am Sunday 10:00 am - 12:00 am Happy Hour 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm |
Social Media
And
Accolades for
The Oyster Bar:
| The Oyster Bar Facebook link |
| The Oyster Bar on Twitter | |
****
The worlds best restaurants is a subjective list of who is writing it and changes on a regular basis. The Wine Dine and Play best experiences are based on my highest rated stared restaurants, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. From cafés, chains, mom + pops, hole in the walls, to fine dining including a few Michelin spots. Visit the Top 100 page to see the entire list.
A few to tease you with…
|
Eclectic & innovative gastropub using molecular gastronomy
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Seasonally inspired continental European fare
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
|
High-end bistro with modern New Zealand cuisine
Christchurch, New Zealand
|
“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things,
But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)
TTFN
