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| - We were very disappointed when Starfish closed (although it was dropping the ball at times) and so were elated to find Pearl Diver now there in its place. Apparently some of the same owners and some new blood. The decor is a little more contemporarily bistro with old converted church pews as tables and seating. But generally the restaurant lighting is too low to appreciate much difference (and the church pews are hard). We got a reservation at the last minute and our server, though new, was chipper and got an A for reeling off the oyster origins. We forgave her for not knowing how the salmon confit was made, and she came back from the kitchen a few moments later with her new info from the chef. It took her longer to bring bread ($2 extra for 6 small pieces of grilled toast and a pot of butter) and it surprised us that the place couldn't give us bread for free with a $100 plus meal. Woulda been nice not to have to ask. No S&P on the table either. The chowda was heaven to this former Bostonian, lighter than the Legal Seafood version--probably more milk than cream-- but really delicious and served HOT. Again, bread or oyster crackers might have been a nice addition.
But the oysters were what we came for, and they were perfectly shucked (same shucker as Starfish?), icy cold, briny, with nary a shell fragment in 2 dozen of 'em. (After a recent trip to New Orleans we realized this wasn't a given. The oysters were dirt cheap and delicious, but often "crunchy" as shuckers popped them open at the speed of light!) Nice selection here of Canadian, US, and Irish oysters. The ones from British Columbia were best, but tasting oysters is so subtle and personal that you should try as many as you can and form your own conclusions.
My conclusions about Pearl Diver are that the oysters are first class although I have no idea what they rest of their menu is like, listing as it now does steaks, chops, and burgers in addition to other fish dishes. The wine list is smallish but the muscadet sevre et maine, not a wine I often see on menus, was a perfect pairing with our oysters. And they have sticky toffee pudding for dessert! 4 and 9/10 stars.
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