THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Tom's Oyster Bar

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Tom's Oyster Bar Restaurant Review:

This is the granddaddy of the Detroit area oyster bars established by Tom Brandel, with three more having joined the family since 1985 and a couple more promised. Brandel has it down to a science. He brings in fresh oysters from all around the country, both farm-raised and wild, and some 20 to 25 varieties of fresh fish and seafood for an ever-changing menu chalked on a board high over patrons’ heads. From time to time during the evening, someone lowers the board and erases the names of the items that are depleted. The informal tavern setting is also nearly patented: wooden floors and walls, tin ceilings with spinning fans, schoolhouse lamps and framed New Yorker covers. Accompaniments to the fish include outsized goblets of oyster crackers, great coleslaw, corn-on-the-cob when available, which seems to be most of the time, and red skin potatoes. The wine list is more than adequate, and Brandel now has his own label of beer. A Tin Pan Alley-style pianist, Marty Balog, is a fixture.