Cull & Pistol Oyster Bar
“It was the perfect snack after shopping around the Chelsea Market for souvenirs.”
“food: 4
decor: 4
service: 4
overall: 4
you don't see too many places that have the connecticut style lobster roll.”
“I could scarf down a dozen easily and a couple of times, I've even done 24.”
Cull & Pistol Oyster Bar
Takes Reservations: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Happy Hour: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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Small restaurant within Chelsea Market. Seafood should be legit, since it's the folks from Lobster Place. However I've only came for oysters, appetizers, and drinks.
A solid selection of various of oysters. IMO one of the better options for oysters on the west side in fact. Oysters are mostly of the east coast variety and some west coast stuff. Personally prefer the taste of west coast oysters so wish there was a bit more on the menu. Detailed descriptions of each so makes ordering a breeze. The oysters, quickly shucked, are served in the order from top to bottom on the menu which you keep. Makes taking mental notes easy as you eat your way down the list. As a random bonus, little neck clams on the super cheap here too, always order a few with every oyster order and they stack it in the middle of tray. Makes for loaded looking tray of ice and mollusks
Of the few appetizers I've tried, would recommend the deviled eggs and clam toast. All bite sized, well constructed, and flavorful. Wish the beer selection was a little deeper though, totally a personal beer thing. From the looks of it, wine selection is quite varied, so wine drinkers are in luck I guess
Only have sat at the bar, service is pretty standard. Order your stuff, get your stuff. Avoid happy hour at all costs, it's a refuge situation from what I've seen. Non happy hours or dinner hours, seating is actually rather easy to get
I would really recommend this place especially during their $1 oyster happy hour from 4-7 on the weekdays. We were already in the Chelsea market prior to so we were able to hop on the bar right away with no wait and a prime view of all the fresh oysters being chucked. There were several different types of oysters coming from different places…I wish I was able to describe the different tastes, but they were all so good!
Two of my friends and I ended up with two dozen, a small order of uni and some disco fries (think clam chowder, minus the soup topped on fries mmm mm!) and of course some beer to wash it all down! I'm not a huge uni fan but I did try some of it and it tasted really fresh and the texture was super smooth.
The service was good and prompt, the manager even approached us after we had finished our second round after noticing the last 3 oysters we had were on the smaller side. She was kind enough to have her staff bring out 3 more oysters to make up for the lack in size without us even mentioning anything to her. That was a really nice gesture that we appreciated!
Overall I was very satisfied with the food and service here. I would come here again on a weekday to avoid any long waits. It's hard to resist $1 oysters!
Had lunch at this oyster joint finally. It's quite the popular spot in the market.
Ate:
1/2 doz little necks
Bowl of Manhattan clam chowder
Italian rose
While the clams were perfection as was the rose, I was furious that they copped the chowder from next door and upped the price, The Lobster Place does not make its chowders, while they're serviceable, they are not made in house- a $11 chowder should be and I specifically asked for Manhattan, I could have went next door & ate had it for less next door.
We came here for lunch on a Tuesday, so it was not that packed. It is a small place with bar stool seats, so the seating is not the most comfortable and the place is tight. But the food is pretty decent, especially for lobster! Ever since I found out about lobster rolls, I refuse to go through the hardship to pick out the meat out of a whole lobster. (I'm super lazy and not good with my fingers).
lobster roll ($27)- You get to pick either New England or Connecticut style. Of course, I picked the CT style with just lobster dipped in butter. I was NE style since it is drenched in mayo and all you end up tasting is mayo instead of succulent lobster! Anyway, lobster roll was pretty standard size, it was with decent amount of lobster with a toasted buttery roll. It was very similar to Luke's Lobster. The lobster roll came with a generous portion of fries that were very crisp (not greasy) with a nice old bay seasoning that was not too overpowering.
fish tacos ($12?)- This had 3 fish tacos that were about 4 bite sizes and no sides came with it. The fish that was in it was a firm mahi-mahi like fish. I personally liked my fish tacos with a softer fish like cod. It was a nice char/blackened taste to it but the overall taco was overpowered by the 3 types of sauce that was on it. One of them was a pesto like sauce, another was a creamier and the third was salsa like. I didn't pay too much attention, since I had a couple of bites but that was my quick impression.
Oysters.
Seafood.
Drinks.
Every late night should end like this. After a great performance featuring Phoebe Ryan thrown by our friends at Rolling Stone, we walked over to Cull & Pistol. My ear drums were blown out since I stood too close to speakers. I was also craving a meal since they stopped serving apps before the set ended.
We got the oyster sampler with a selection of 3 types for the table of 4. I got the lobster roll and it reminded me of the smaller ones from the chains around the city. The difference was that it was CT style and warm, which honestly should be a standard for a lobstah roll. Washed down with a Arnold Palmer and water. Well worth it!
After dinner we stayed around for a round of drinks and nerded out with the bartenders. By the time we left, we were the last people in Chelsea Market besides the janitor, the staff cleaning up, and the bakers in the bakery preparing the next days batch.
My boyfriend & I were visiting Chelsea Market for a project I was doing and since it was lunch time, we decided to eat inside Chelsea Market – specifically Cull & Pistol Oyster Bar.
The restaurant is quite small, dim lights and I like that the restaurant has one side where it's the booth and bar and a side with actual seating and tables. Our waitress was very friendly and helpful. Unfortunately, there were two customers that came in a bit after us that made our experience at the restaurant uncomfortable. Additionally, the cost of the food here is a little overpriced.
We ordered iced tea which we later found out it was homemade which is always a plus in our books. The Homemade iced tea wasn't sweetened, so our waitress provided us with a container of sugar to add to our own liking.
Lobster Ramen (by far the MOST expensive ramen we've experienced) – This was our first time seeing lobster ramen. The ramen had the typical toppings you would expect at a typical ramen shop, bamboo shoots, runny egg, corn, and scallions. The lobster ramen also contained the claw & knuckle, mushrooms, chili oil bathed in a lobster-miso broth.
First off, kudos for giving us the meaty parts of the lobster, but the broth was sub par. The broth came in a gravy boat that was poured into the bowl which I thought was interesting. I don't know why I was expecting the broth to be thick, cream-like almost like a Tonkotsu broth, but nope. The broth had acidity in it which was very weird and threw off the whole ramen, but at least the noodles were cooked al-dente the way I like it.
Lobster Roll (Connecticut Style) – I opted for this and it tasted delightful, but the price wasn't delightful. The lobster was warmed in lobster butter & lemon with kewpie mayonnaise and toasted with top split bun. They gave plenty of new bay fries which was fried to perfection and had a slight crunch to it.
Overall, the experience here was a hit and miss mostly because the customers next to us were an annoyance to us, prices of the food were steep and although my lobster roll was delicious, the ramen was a disappointment. This was by far of the most expensive lunch we've ever had or at least so far.
Located in Chelsea market- you already know it's going to be a great restaurant. Was lucky enough to catch the amazing happy hour deal. There are rules with this happy hour so be prepared- you can not being any outside beverage (coffee, soda, water), all parties must be sitting at the bar (no one can stand) and it's strictly ends at 6 pm. Annoying rules but worth it. Oysters are a dollar each but the selection is the best I've ever seen at a dollar oyster special. Usually it's whatever they give you with no choice. Also stone claw and little necks were on the deal as well- all fresh and amazing.
We also had the fried oysters and the CT style lobster roll. The lobster roll is pricer than the usual but it was damn good. Stuffed with mostly claw meat (my fav) and oh so buttery. Also served with tons of fries. The fried oysters were a hit with everyone- prepared on a Bellini you usually eat with caviar and served with a smoked meat. Believe me it worked and it was totally delicious.
The restaurant is tiny but I love it that way- intimate and delicious. Plus you are in the food market hub of Chelsea market so the possibilities are endless. Amazing date night spot, friend spot and overall an awesome place!!!
Oh my, where on earth (or sea) should I start? Fantastic freshness abounds. How's that? Okay maybe a little more. We were seated, by choice, on the front line at the Oyster Bar. The skilled speed and constant graceful moves of the Oyster Shucker was awe inspiring. I could only imagine how many punter wounds I would have after a couple of hours.
Oysters of every imaginable shape, coloration, and size sitting on crushed ice waiting their turn. Then my eyes turned back to the Shucker, he suddenly transformed from an orchestrated prying technician to skills of a surgeon preparing halved shells of a Sea Urchin to a never before explored delicacy called Omi.
The challenge was set! Omi was this diners pleasure of the day (I hoped). Feeling confident, a local Bronx IPA, plate of deliciously messy fish tacos, and an elegant lobster salad on greens and a Sweet Iced Tea for my wife. Fantastic. Then came the Omi, "Greetings my friend, you're not going to disappointment me, are you?"
By no means what's so ever, smooth in texture, not too fishy in taste, and served with a compliment of shredded radish, watercress, and roasted sesame seeds. This was a very light delicacy which by rights should be served with a ring of raw oysters. I apologize, Oysters were not on my palette this day, but promise to revisit with that intent.
Cull & Pistol is a popular attraction, so be prepared to wait, but grab an Oyster Bar seat if any are available, you won't be disappointed!