SELECT Oyster Bar

SELECT Oyster Bar Restaurant Review:

Michael Serpa, former executive chef at Neptune Oyster, has launched his first restaurant in the Back Bay. The cozy spot is located on a side street off tony Newbury Street, where an after-work crowd comes for a glass of wine and some oysters before heading home. The exposed-brick interior has a modern brownstone vibe, while the seafood-focused menu features classics and dishes with international influences like baby cuttlefish from Spain. Come for the oysters and a glass of bubbly, and stay for the seafood-centric menu that includes a bouillabaisse full of fresh shellfish. Starters feature intricate presentations of crudo in all forms (think hamachi with smoked hazelnut, pear, ginger and pearl onion, plus seasonal offerings like halibut with pickled pumpkin). Spanish octopus is a flavor-packed combination of roasted tomatillo, chimichurri and fiery serrano chili. We recommend the Gloucester swordfish or Icelandic Arctic char with Persian cucumber purée. There is no dessert menu available, but you can always indulge at one of the many cafés along nearby Newbury or Boylston Streets.