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All Reader Reviews of...

Jack’s Luxury Oyster Bar

101 Second Ave., New York, NY, 10003
nr. 6th St.
212-979-1012

Avg. Rating

9
Food: 10
Service: 10
Décor: 8
"Highly Recommended"

Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10.

92% would go back.

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Amazing...

By Jennjcoleman on 3/23/2011

  • Overall Rating: 10
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

I have nothing but praise for JLOB - and the experience we had last night sitting at the chef's table. It was my first time and I was pleasantly surprised with how small and quaint the dining room was. I love open kitchens and so we had to sit at the chef's table. We went for the tasting menu, which was divine. I took the recommendation of some of the other reviewers and ordered a couple of extra items from the menu. The waiter/waitress didn't let us down with their suggestions - the clams & chorizo and the froie gras were, indeed, superb! The scallop crudo was so fresh and unique and the steak melted in your mouth. And the tile fish, ooooh the tile fish ... it was phenomenal. All of the dishes were beautifully executed and were equally as delicious. To round out a perfect meal, the staff was so kind and wonderful, which made our night extra special. Thank you JLOB!

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36 out of 63 people found this review helpful.

Spectacular food, compromised experience

By jlinder1 on 2/6/2011

  • Overall Rating: 8
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 8
  • Décor: 1
  • No, I would not go back!

This is a tapas restaurant, make no mistake about it. It's not Spanish tapas, but tapas in a rather nouvelle American style. Many of the small plates are pretty amazing. All but the risotto were loved by all, especially the clams and chorizo, the foie gras, the bass and the char. But the experience of the restaurant is tempered by its incredibly diminutive size. If you're overweight, for example, or just a large person, you may simply not fit. My 5-foot, 8-inch, 150-pound frame had no problem, but even I felt at times I could not spread out and get comfortable. The service was excellent, the wine list was surprisingly well-priced and the noise level was acceptable. But with so cramped a kitchen, you cannot even order an espresso or coffee after your meal. The reason given: "We just don't have room for that." So many positives, I just wish Jack's could move to a slightly more spacious location. Boy would I have loved a cappuccino after all those wonderful small plates. Just try maneuvering around the bar to get to the rest room.

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37 out of 79 people found this review helpful.

One of my favorite restaurants in NYC

By shockmousey on 6/20/2010

  • Overall Rating: 10
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 9
  • Yes, I would go back!

JLOB is a the perfect combination of small plates and comfort food. While JLOB lives up to its name and has superb oysters and clams on the half shell, the menu has as much land as it does sea. The menu is adjusted occassionally, but the duck and steak dishes I had a couple of weeks ago were divine. The portions aren't huge, but each dish can satisfy two/three and with a large enough group, you will be able to work thru the whole menu. On the sea-side, the artic chard is wonderful and the clams and chorizo is a perfect example of the "comfort" that JLOB can provide you. JLOB has a decent wine list but they also have a wonderful corkage policy - a very nice bottle of Champagne or red/white Burgundy would go very well with JLOB's food. If you have a party of 4 or smaller, try to make a reservation at the bar - it is a wonder to see how the such a small kitchen can produce such great food! I highly recommend Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar and Jack's two other restaurants - Degustation and Jewel Bako (some of the best sushi I have had in NYC and Tokyo, for that matter). Cheers!

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49 out of 85 people found this review helpful.

Tasting menu was unbelievable!!

By mmathis2180 on 2/7/2010

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 9
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

Gourmet tasting menu for $50. Need I say more?

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72 out of 126 people found this review helpful.

first time

By worldtraveler on 2/7/2009

  • Overall Rating: 10
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

it was my first time at this restaurant and it was a great experience from the moment i entered to the end when i paid my bill. i had the six ways oysters which represent a combination of oysters from the east and west coast. also sampled the yellow tail crudo and fried octupus. everything was well done and very tasty. bravo to chef brandon. the staff was very attentive and helpful in explaining each item. i highly recommend this restaurant to all new yorkers!!

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75 out of 150 people found this review helpful.

best food in ny

By 2jj on 12/3/2008

  • Overall Rating: 10
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

what a special spot. i absolutely LOVED everything about this place. intimate decor, delicious food, great service. all you need for a great restaurant. i've taken my fiance and my friends there at different times for their birthdays, and have left the restaurant with a big smile and a happy stomach. fantastic wine selection, oysters are soo fresh and so delicious. i've always had the pre fix, i think it's the best value. you really get a taste of what this restaurant is about. the chef is cooking for the whole restaurant behind the bar. it bring dinning to a whole new level of experince to be able to talk to the chef while he's cooking YOU your meal explaining the dish.. I'm surprised ny mag critic didn't give any stars to Jack's. i would always go back to Jack's.

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77 out of 141 people found this review helpful.

fancy + cozy

By theblackhole88 on 2/19/2008

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 9
  • Décor: 9
  • Yes, I would go back!

great place. It was deffently as good as everyone says. The oysters are great. the patie was unbelivable. deffently get the tasting menu if it is your first time. it gives u a nice mix of the menu. nic cozy decor very romantic.

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124 out of 243 people found this review helpful.

Definitely get the tasting menu!

By spongebob on 12/5/2007

  • Overall Rating: 10
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

First time at JLOB. Enjoyed a meal of oysters, yellowtail crudo, foie gras, the most tender lobster sorbet and s'mores! Service was fabulous. Tiny space. Crowd next to us was a little loud, but it turned out that they were celebrating a birthday. Felt very homey and cozy.

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130 out of 263 people found this review helpful.

best meal i have ever had

By vertibird on 2/20/2007

  • Overall Rating: 10
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

the title says it all. get the tasting menu and sit in the bar.

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377 out of 732 people found this review helpful.

If you don't like Jack's you don't like good food

By rthomasACC on 11/1/2006

  • Overall Rating: 10
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

Shame on the guy who gave this place a 1. He clearly doesn't know good food. Jack's is fantastic. The food is first class and the service is second to none. If you can't afford it, don't go - it's a bit pricey, but well worth it.

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368 out of 758 people found this review helpful.

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