Oysters?

[hampark]

I've enjoyed Rodneys' but looking to try someplace new. Starfish? Oyster Boy? Any recommendations?

[Carruthers]

Have been to Starfish twice and enjoyed both experiences. Patrick seems like a really nice guy and an affable host.

Has anyone tried the Beaver's (Queen West) oyster night? Is it still on Wednesday? Any details?

[bobbyjoe]

I would not recommend Starfish. I just went there recently and had the worst service ever. Only time I have ever walked out on a restaurant. For full details of my account you can go to: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/326735 and search for bobbyjoe.

I've been to Oyster Boy and Rodney's and found both to be very good. I would recommend either one before Starfish if you expect some basic level of service i.e. being treated like a customer.

[tartytatin]

I spend my summers in PEI and Oyster Boy is by far my favourite place to go. However, I am partial to East Coast oysters.

[kaka]

Has anyone tried Zee Grill's oyster bar and its seafood dishes? I'm thinking of either going to Starfish, Rodney or Zee Grill. Haven't been to any of them, and we are eager to try oysters for a special occasion (but without breaking the bank too much)

Looking forward to hearing back some advice! Thanks. :-)

[Googs]

Any one of your 3 choices will no doubt please you, kaka. They are the standouts in Toronto. Just pick the one most convenient to you.

[kaka]

Thank you. I guess downtown is more convenient for us. Looking at the menu listed on the Starfish website, the hot dishes seem to be quite limited. Would there be any seafood pasta dishes offered at Starfish as well?

[Charles Yu]

Zee Grill's cooked seafood dishes are excellent. Oyster cost is about the same as Starfish but choices are not as great

[kaka]

We ended up going to Starfish. We had a mixed platter of oysters (30 for $44), since we weren't sure which one would be good) Also had drinks, and few plates of appetizers, mains, and desserts to share.

It was a very lovely evening. Thanks for everyone's suggestions! :)

[chutchut]

Has anyone been to The Miller Tavern's Oyster Lounge: http://www.themiller.ca/oyster_lounge...?

We were there for a corporate event on Friday evening. We stayed in the private room on the 2nd floor and I forgot to check out their oyster lounge. It was packed with people then.

[Charles Yu]

'Tis the time for 'flats', so I visited Starfish again Friday. In addition to my favourites ( Belons, Galways, Claringdon Bay, Glidden point...), I tried for the first time ' West Virginicas'. What beautiful oyster! A cross between east and west coast varietal, the result, a huge, plumb and meaty morsel with a great sweet finish that lingers on and on. A must try for oyster lovers! After my initial dozen and the pan seared Tunisian sea bream entree, I was so hooked on the West Virginicas that I ordered four more and skipped dessert!!

[NovoCuisine]

You've sold me.. I'm going to make my first visit to the Starfish bar this week.

-----
Starfish
100 Adelaide St E, Toronto, ON M5C1K9, CA

[TdotFoodKing]

Oyster Boy is great, a little cheaper than Rodneys.

[bluedog]

I used to be a Rodney's fan until I went to Starfish. As an overall restaurant, Starfish is a much nicer place, though if your looking for a bar atmosphere Rodney's is a little more casual. However, I always walk out of there broke and hungry (i.e. not great value).

[EarlyDrive]

I love Starfish. I only ever sit at the bar so, to me, it's very casual. Pull up to the bar, order a dozen oysters and a glass of wine....Fantastic!

[Leforge]

I had a bad experience at Starfish recently due to service so I can't offer a recommendation for them based on that. However, the Oysters were pretty good if not the best I've come across. I noticed that Cyrano's has 99 cent Oysters advertised between 4-6 on weekdays (saw it on their sign while walking by). Has anybody tried them? Could be a good deal if the quality is alright.

[bluedog]

Never been, but almost certainly ubiquitous malpeques.

[Davwud]

Starfish is fantastic.
I've never been to Rodney's
Big Daddy's also has a nice selection at the bar. We used to go there a fair bit when we lived in the city but we've moved away. Haven't been there in about 5 years now though.

DT

[Charles Yu]

Just ate at Starfish a couple of days ago. They had ten choices. Five from the west coast, five from the east. The night I was there they sold out the clams and scallops. If its ONLY oyster you want, better wait for a couple more weeks when they will be bringing in the 'flats'. Belon from France and Gallway from Ireland.etc. However, I would also go there for the fish. Expertly prepared with sensational sauces to match every time!

[chai]

I have never been to Starfish. Is there a bar like Rodney's? Does Starfish have live scallops? and finally what exactly are "flats"?
Thanks

[Charles Yu]

There is an oyster bar where one could eat from and watch the world shucking champ owner Patrick perform his act. Occassionally, they do have live scallops in the shell, but just to make sure, call ahead to confirm. As for 'flats'. they are a varietal of oysters whose form is shaped round and 'chubby flat', totally different from your typical 'longish' varietal like the Malpaques. I love their texture since they are plumb and meaty. Best examples are the French Belon, the Irish Gallway bay and the English Colchester.

[hungry_pangolin]

Hmmm... never had English Colchester. How would you describe it?

[Charles Yu]

Very similar to the French Belon in size and shape. Roundish, plumb, meaty and sweet. Great with a glass of Muscadet or Sancerre.

[wciu]

Was in Diana's in Scarborough last weekend, wasn't really paying attention but they had a few varieties of oysters available, and had scallops and clams as well. That's not a restaurant though, but you can get some and shuck them at home yourself. :) I think European oysters are at their best between Oct and March, so wait for a bit if you want to try those.

I personally like Starfish better than Rodney's, but haven't been to either for a while...(I don't really eat cooked fish, so I don't go to Starfish during the summer months. :p)

[pinstripeprincess]

i'm excited for the flats.. the best oysters i've ever had are during the fall.

oysterboy is more casual and actually has a similar feel as rodney's to me, but rodney's has this large open space that makes me feel as if im in some chain resto. my only issue with oysterboy.... one of their shuckers is absolutely AWFUL. they currently have a shucking champ but one of the other ones left large bits of shell and a whole bunch of grit in my oysters.

i find starfish more casual upscale. the atmosphere is much more desirous to me when i want to have a nice relaxed dinner with a couple glasses of wine but without too much hubbub.

[ishmael]

Harbour 60 always has a good selection of oysters on offer--3 to 4 varieties everyday. Sit at the bar and order adozen or two. Better yet order the seafood tower-- not inexpensive but excellent quality and great service.

[erly]

Oyster boy, is casual, friendly, and they know their oysters.
Great little place.

[mutant4]

those are the standards. I've had starfish...excellent. don't know OB, but i've heard good things.