Location Review63 Salem St
Boston, MA 02113
(617) 742-3474
If you had a chance to read my post on Mike's Pastry, then you might recall me mentioning how my friends and I stuffed our faces with canolis prior to a big seafood dinner. Well ladies and gentlemen, this is said dinner. Neptune Oyster, the 8 year old restaurant headed by Chef Michael Serpa (@michaelserpa), would be the last seafood restaurant during my short but sweet Boston trip.
Atlantic Fish Company, was the very first restaurant we visited in Beantown, and in comparison, Neptune Oyster has a more intimate and lively atmosphere. It almost feels like a secret restaurant, but then again any place that has a 2-3 hour wait time for a table can't be too deep undercover.
Neptune Oyster
If my friends and I hadn't already intended on eating here, the wide, brightly-lit window showcasing a lady shucking oysters would've beckoned us to enter.
The oyster bar
Shoulder-to-shoulder dining area
The Menu
Oysters Menu
Moon Shoal, Batnstable, MA ($2.60/ea)
Cherrystone Clams - Wellfleet, MA (1.90/ea)
Clam Chowder ($11) -made fresh to order
Boston being famous for its chowder, I literally ended up having it everyday. If you are someone who prefers the traditional thick and creamy chowders, you won't be a fan of this one. The chowder is runny, like a slightly reduced cream. But the flavour profile is definitely impressive. Settled on the bottom of the soup are lots of cooked clams, potatoes, and other treasures. It's a good bowl of soup, but not the best chowder in the traditional sense.
Dayboat Scallop Crudo ($12) -fresno chili, mango, lime
For $12, this Dayboat Scallop Crudo was definitely underwhelming. Barely sharable, and it wasn't anything to write home about. This one is passable in my opinion.
Neptunes on Piggyback ($13) -crispy oysters, Berkshire pig, golden raisin confiture, pistachio aioli
The Neptunes Piggyback is a confusing dish. You don't really know what you are tasting, but somehow the different textures and flavours of savoury pulled pork and sweet breaded oysters works, and is delicious.
Maine Lobster Roll ($25) -toasted roll, (available hot with butter or cold with mayo)
The best of this meal for me was the highly regarded Lobster Roll. It is recommended left and right on the internet, and is deserving of its praise. The lobster is served chunky instead of ground up, giving that good succulent seafood texture. Drizzled with warm butter and a soft roll, I could've had 10 of these if it wouldn't immediately burst my cholesterol meter.
Cod ($35)
The Cod is the special offered for Saturday, and as far as I could see it wasn't on the regular menu. We decided to give it a try, since it is a highly regarded fish that is abundant in Boston. I find cod being a firm fish which has a tendency to be more on the tough side, especially when overcooked. But this was a pleasant surprise. The fish was flakey and light at the touch of a fork, while still being firm when you bite through it. A nice light entree.
The Bill
