The John Dory Oyster Bar
“And, if you're going to be drinking during your meal, definitely get the Parker House Roll to line your stomach first.”
“For my main course, Diane, our server recommended the stuffed squid and sea bass.”
“We ordered West coast as well and before the end of the night everyone probably had about 20+ oysters.”
The John Dory Oyster Bar
Takes Reservations: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Happy Hour: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$$ Price range $31-60
8 reviews
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Attached to the Ace Hotel, we went for dessert and drinks. Great ambiance (fish tanks, neon, busy oyster bar, people watching windows). Okay toffee cake. Weak cocktails. If you look at my list of favorite bars in the city you won't be finding Dory.
Saw this place whilst wandering around and decided to pop in. The cocktails were a bit too pricey but for whatever reason we could persuade ourselves that the prosecco was reasonable value.
We had seats at the bar against the Windows which was great for people watching. The place itself was quite busy for 5pm on a Tuesday evening. The fish was piled high on ice at the back.
After seeing the lobster roll next to us we ordered one to share. The lobster and dressing was amazing and fresh. But prices go for the crisps, which were more like very thin chips which were freshly fried.
However, we had quite a few staff members ask if we wanted our drinks topped up. Which I guess is good service but equally annoying when you said no a few minutes before. When ordering the bill it took awhile to arrive and then no one came to swipe my card. I ended up just going to the desk and the server was quite rude about it.
Raw oysters, chimichurri sauce, horseradish, cocktail sauce, and lemon.
Sparkling Riesling
Parker Rolls
And most importantly, good company.
Mix them up and you get 4 stars.
Decent place with a nice vibe — somehow is next to Ace Hotel without the ludicrous fashion and pretension of that place. I did find everything way too salted. We ordered the olives, broccoli, lobster roll, and oysters, and it just had a big saltfest feel to it. The deserts are also a little weird. Sometimes you just want a chocolate something or creme brulee, but they were all kind of funky choices. It's worth coming for good prices and location, though.
The namesake and ambiance will do you some good. It's proximity to neighboring traffic spots like Flatiron and MSG make this the perfect location to escape a bit.
Note: Depending on the night, this place gets packed up real quick. Prep accordingly. You can always grab drinks at Ace Hotel while you wait.
With better options in the area, John Dory is pretty OK. The cocktails are interesting and strong. Seafood plateaus are very good here. The menu is shockingly small and mains are small and forgettable. Service is spotty for such a small spot, but decent enough. Parkers rolls are heaven.
Recommend for a few drinks before heading elsewhere for food. Like the Halal cart across the street.
Solid lunch spot if you work near Herald Square. Decent selection of oysters, good mix of east and west coast options. We had a dozen (half from each coast) as well as lobster rolls (delicious) and the tuna tartare (good but not amazing). Service was great. Bread is sickeningly good. They have some affordable wines as well. We were in an out of here in about 1.5 hrs and left with very happy tummies.
Who would of thought this place existed? not that I have trekked through Herald square much but it was recommended to me and as a good little yelper I decided to go and check it out. The restaurant is a nice size with a big bar and a small in the middle that seats about 8 I think. The service was good and prompt. I went for their " specials hour" which is $2 oysters. I had the 2 dozen east and west oysters which were tasty and fresh. I had to order some Parker buns($5) which were some buttery roll goodness. I also had the cold poached lobster ($19), yum.
They have outside sitting if you can brave the masses that walk through 29 street and Broadway. All in all a cool spot, a bit pricey but hey, it's NYC.