Shells Angels

When it comes to oyster bars, Philly rules.

By Tim McGinnis
Add Comment Add Comment | Comments: 5 | Posted Oct. 3, 2007

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Raw inspiring: Six Blue Points will set you back a fiver at Sansom Street Oyster House.

 

Jonathan Swift said: "It was a brave man who first ate an oyster." Well pin a medal to Field Guide's chest, for we're throwing caution to the wind to bring you the inside scoop on Philadelphia oyster houses.

If You Want to Get So High

You might feel a little dizzy as you sit 19 stories up slurping oysters at XIX (1415 Chancellor Court. 215.790.1919) in the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue. If not from altitude sickness then certainly from the prices. The East Coast oyster menu has a selection of briny bivalves from Rhode Island that cost more than you'd expect, but you're paying for the atmosphere as well. The interior design by Marguerite Rodgers looks as if a King Kong-sized Jackie Kennedy scaled the outside of the building and left behind a giant pearl necklace in place of a screaming Fay Wray. $ L G M

 


If You Like Portraits of Egocentric Restaurant Owners

The bar at Sansom Street Oyster House (1516 Sansom St. 215.567.7683) has the best happy hour in Center City for the oyster lover who also happens to be a drunk. From 5 to 7 p.m. every day, saddle up to the cold marble bar and enjoy a half-dozen Blue Points for $5 and lager drafts for $3. At these prices, treating your erectile dysfunction with tasty aphrodisiacs is cheaper than your Levitra co-pay. If that doesn't work, the portrait of owner Cary Neff is sure to get those juices flowing. O E/W H

 


If You're a Francophile and Not Afraid to Show It

New restaurants are like new pets; they need some time to adjust, and sometimes they shit on the carpet. Coquette (700 S. Fifth St. 215.238.9000), the new French bistro and sister restaurant of Sansom Street Oyster House, is a puppy in restaurant dog years. Overwhelming interest has created a chaotic scene of frantic servers practically sprinting through this otherwise classy oyster bar, where you can get the ubiquitous Long Island Blue Points as well as fruitier Effingham Bays. E/W M

 


If You Just Can't Stay Away From Stephen Starr

Striped Bass (1500 Walnut St. 215.732.4444) is located in a converted bank, which seems oddly appropriate since after eating their oysters you'll have to give them all your money. The tiny West Coast hama hama oysters, perched atop a mound of ice decorated with seaweed and cracked peppercorns, are oddly warm. $ L E/W M

 


If You're a Meathead

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COMMENTS

Comments 1 - 5 of 5
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1. Susan WInston said... on Feb 15, 2009 at 01:58PM

“We were at Snockeys Feb 14, 2009...The service was terrible. WE waited 45 minutes to sit down even though we had a reservation. WE sat at 9 Pm, finaly got soup at 10:15...It was cool, and my sisters bisque was totally different from mine. My sisters meal ( after an hour and half) was way overcooked. She had salmon and it was so dry she could barely eat it. My husbands lobster tail was raw. So, NOT SO GOOD !!! THey did take her AND her husbands meal off the bill as they were both almost burnt. Will we go back ? NOT !”

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2. thnxbdawk4damemories said... on Mar 11, 2009 at 05:39PM

“Snockeys is awesome I have AlWAYS had a great meal everytime i walked in. I can't wait to go back!”

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3. Anonymous said... on Jan 8, 2010 at 06:57PM

“best oysters in the city.. go here for happy hour..”

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4. Bebs said... on Apr 7, 2011 at 10:55AM

“My husband and I went to Snockey's last night after reading rave reviews on the internet about this place. When we walked in there were no customers there at 8 PM.The place reeked of fish.The place founded in 1912 and looks as though it hasn't been cleaned or painted since then.The baseboards in the restrooms had 2 inches of dirt on them they were gray with dust and were supposed to be white.I understand the building is old however soap and water and paint are cheap.I have never seen a dirtier restaurant.The air conditioning wasn't on and the vent had tons of dirt hanging from it and the dirt would be in your food when it is turned on. I really don't understand the great reviews from previous customers.Were your eyes closed? Our last trip to Phila we ate at the Sansom street Oyster House which was immaculate, great service and delicious food. Maybe a little more expensive then Snockey's but sometimes we get what we pay for.The above reviews are old we were there April 2011.”

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5. Anonymous said... on Jul 11, 2012 at 11:33AM

“i ate at snockey's hard shells just ok crab legs were good not that
and the shrimp i bought to carry taste like pure grease and rubber i threw
them to stray cats”

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