Boca Oyster Bar

Review summary

1. S

   Steve

   New York City

   33 reviews

   4.0

   33 reviews

   Dined on 2 November 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   The ambient soundtrack, not heavy metal or rap but I caught Jon Bon Jovi in ther, tells you something about this restaurant’s schizophrenic identity. The menu is almost excessively wide-ranging, from wings to lobster, in an sattempt to appeal to all comers, yet the prices invite a somewhat higher-incomed clientele. The interior is hardscaped, with no sound-absorbing fabric in sight(except the napkins) amidst the poured flooring, floor-to-ceiling windows and granite tabletops. The service was accomodating but slow at obvious transition points in the progression of the meal. Our order: appetizer of calamari was plentiful, oddly(for me) sprinkled with gorgonzola and drizzled with balsamic but delicious; an ahi tuna salad ( beautifully presented) and a clam and bacon flatbread that seemed a bit overdone/crispy. Two proseccos, a glass of pinot grigio and a bill of $120…. I want to try this location on a summer evening when there’s outdoor dining and enough light to enjoy the harborviews. Otherwise, it is not a top choice in several categories
   

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2. s

   stephen

   New York City

   3 reviews

   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 2 November 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   We have gone to this restaurant a handful of times in the past couple years. Each time it leaves an overall feeling of disappointment, but we give them the benefit of the doubt - like they are a newer establishment, or were busy on a nice day in the summer, but the overall experience has been consistent over the years. The service was great - nothing against the server. friendly, attentive and quick. the location is nice, although it does sorta have a cafeteria vibe on the inside. the food overall is subpar though. not to say its terrible but the value is definitely not there. to sum up the issues with our last visit though: we got a dozen oysters - finding out later that the "market price" was $5 an oyster! we called Shell & Bones in new haven afterwards which is very expensive and lovely restaurant and their prices were not even close. so that was $60 just in oysters for 2 people. the salmon that we shared was overcooked and downright burnt on the bottom making it hard to separate the fish from the skin. salmon should be cooked medium but this was super well done ($39). the cocktails were fine, but i ordered the same cocktail after the first and it came our completely different. anyways - it was nice enough to go out with my wife, but overall I really will insist at this point that we never go back :/
   

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3. C

   Carmen

   New York City

   8 reviews

   3.0

   8 reviews

   Dined on 2 November 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   Oysters I’ve never had anything so tiny not worth the $4 per oyster. Do not order. The octopus was over cooked. The place wasn’t even crowded. I have been going to Boca for something now but will now give it a break not even the drinks were good today. Probably an off day:(
   

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4. K

   Kira

   New York City

   51 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   51 reviews

   Dined on 26 October 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 1

   We have been to Boca before and loved it. We meet our friends there and it has been great in the past. But last night there was a band and it was so loud we could hardly hear each other. The service was cold--though efficient. The food was good. We meet friends to have an evening out together and catch up and I'm disappointed we can't go back--it was very frustrating to have to talk over the loud music.
   

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5. S

   Susan

   New York City

   43 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   43 reviews

   Dined on 22 October 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Breathtakingly beautiful harbor views and delicious contemporary dishes. Whether you arrive by land or sea-you won’t be disappointed!
   

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6. C

   Crystal

   Connecticut

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 20 October 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   food was excellent. beautiful views , friendly staff
   

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7. D

   Danielle

   New York City

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 18 October 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 1

   Overall was just ok, but for a Friday night, the bar and restaurant were totally empty at 7pm. Food overall was ok, nothing to rave about. We ordered seafood pasta and it was supposed to come with a white wine sauce. (Have had it there twice before). This time it came out as a red sauce and when I mentioned it to the waiter (and I prefaced it with it still being very good but I really wanted white wine sauce) the waiter told me that the chef said it IS a white wine sauce and basically too bad. Hmm, umm ok then. Last time I checked, white wine sauce is not red, not even remotely. Plus last two times I have had it, it came with a half of a lobster tail and multiple clams, mussels and shrimp. This time it had one mussel, two small clams and one shrimp and no half of lobster tail. Overall this dish was a complete fail and it was like they just threw some leftovers into some red pasta sauce. Our party also ordered stuffed shrimp and penne with vodka sauce-which were both good. Overall was just ok-won’t be going back anytime soon, was very pricey for what we got tonight, and the fact the chef said his red sauce was a white wine sauce, doesn’t sit well. Desserts were actually top notch and the brownie sundae was everyone favorite. Drinks were excellent and at least the bartender was on point.
   

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8. S

   Susan

   New York City

   43 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   43 reviews

   Dined on 12 October 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Absolutely stunning views of Bridgeport Harbor & marina. Expertly prepared seafood, steaks & salads. Attentive staff.
   

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9. P

   Phyllis

   New York City

   12 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   12 reviews

   Dined on 12 October 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The food was delicious and the service very good as usual!
   

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10. L

    Linda

    New York City

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on 5 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Good food. Wonderful view. Good service. I will be back.
    

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