Providence Oyster Bar
(401) 272-8866
283 Atwells Ave
Providence,
RI
02903
41.8238
-71.4272
Neighborhood: Federal Hill
What People Are Saying About Providence Oyster Bar
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
The railway car-shaped dining room is outfitted with black-and-white pictures of fish markets on the wall and funky cylindrical lamp fixtures overhead. The cherry wood wall paneling gives the room warmth and elegance, though with not much space between the tables, this bustling place can get cramped.
The Food
Don't let the name fool you. Sure, the menu has over a dozen raw oysters--Malaspinas from British Columbia, Belons from Nova Scotia depending on the season, even the day--but this bistro has much more than shellfish. Executive chefs Craig Tragni and Aaron Thorpe clearly subscribe to the fish-is-a-delicious-meat philosophy of cooking; filets are typically served as huge slabs then wrapped in smoky bacon or slathered with gravy. This approach succeeds brilliantly with the cod loin, which is roasted inside a strip of prosciutto, and doused in cranberry juice and sherry au jus. (Steak is also on the menu for those who insist meat means beef.)
User Reviews
lou4453
October 27, 2008
I dined at the providence oyster bar on saturday october 25th and enjoyed one of the best meals in a energetic setting with one of the most pleasant and knowledgeable waitresses around. The food was delightful and beautifully plated, when first looking at the menu I thought the food was a little pricey, but when it was delivered to my table it was hot, perfectly portioned and delicious, well worth the price and then some. The placed was filled not only in the dining room but at the bar as well which made the atmosphere fun and enjoyable even when sitting towards the back of the restaurant. Our waitress was fun and extremely knowledgeable and did what ever she could to suit our needs(a few of us at my table wanted our fish prepared differently then it was on the menu and she never blinked or looked annoyed like most waitstaff do). Instead she was happy to help us and made our meal that much more exceptional. I as well as my fellow diners would highly recommend this place to anyone, great food, fantastic atmosphere, and wonderful service is what makes this restaurant a must for all!!!!!!!!!!
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CastroNelson
August 02, 2008
We were there early evening Friday August 1st - I was completely DISGUSTED with the service and attitude of the staff! This place appears to favor the Nouveau-riche clientele and virtually ignored us and our simple, brief, limited requests. From the apparent manager - a young slim man with light brown (curly) hair - to the wait-staff, it seemed to be a culture of "pretentiousness" that was pervasive. No courtesy, absent customer service skills, avoidance of eye contact... I am 45 years old (clean dressed and clean shaved) and grew up 20 minutes north of Providence. The Atwells Ave./Providence I remember was never like this: a whole lot of "attitude" with little, apparently, to back it up! If a pretentious, superficial, expensive evening is what you're looking for then the Providence Oyster Bar is the place. My advice: walk a block or two in either direction away from this place and you'll find a nice place to have dinner and drinks, and a restaurant staff that both respects, and appreciates, ALL of its clientele. J. Castro - Boston, MA
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trailblazer02906
July 19, 2008
I loved this place in the early 2000s but unfortunately the food has deteriorated to the point that it is no longer worth the exorbitant prices. Portions still generous and service is great but quality is very unpredictable. Oh, well, the search goes on...
read full reviewThe Details on Providence Oyster Bar
Know Before You Go:
No reservations are accepted. Those who arrive before 6pm are infinitely more likely to get a table.
When to Go:
Got the late nite munchies but don't feel like dumbing your tastes down? P.O.B. is one of the few places in town where you can get a gourmet meal late on a Saturday night.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Cash, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Late Night Dining, Group Dining, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene, Private Rooms
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
At the bar
