LITTLE WHALE OYSTER BAR — Restaurant in Boston

I was here trying out this restaurant the first time for Dine Out Boston Menu with my friend. Both of us got our worst dining experience ever in Boston.

The server got unhappy right after we decided to not have a drink. We can tell the huge difference between the service she gave us versus the other diners.

It took us a few rounds to have the food and oysters ordered.

Someone took our oyster forks and oyster lineup list away and didn’t bring back until another gentleman helped us.

My friend’s water glass was empty for at least 10 minutes while the waitress helped pouring water and wine for the other tables. We had to ask help from the gentleman again.

She walked besides our table many times with poker face and zero service, and was so annoyed when she found out we were unhappy about her service.

There was almost a mandatory 20% gratuity fee and a 3% operation fee. We wanted to modify the rate as we’ve been thinking about how much we should pay as tips for the poor service the whole night. The waitress refused to do so and wanted to give us a card of their manager so we could contact later. However, as we saw “If you would like this gratuity removed, please ask and we will kindly remove” we had to insist.

Another lady came over later. We shared our experience with her. She finally gave the option for us to remove the gratuity. We were at first willing to pay some, but the waitress came back and said “wish you good night and never come back.”

That’s rude and disrespectful enough!!!

The waitress just failed to realize her problem and gave no apology at all. We would skip any comments on the food, but the dining experience was definitely the worst. It’s such a pity for the location, chef, and the...

Ventured into this oyster bar nestled on Newbury Street, amidst a sea of seafood eateries, with modest expectations given the abundance of similar offerings in the area. To our pleasant surprise, this establishment elevated the seafood dining experience to a whole new level.

We kicked things off with half a dozen oysters each, followed by a selection of starters including ceviche Atlantico, salmon curado, and tuna tartare. Each dish was a delightful exploration of flavors, setting a high bar for what was to come. The Greek branzino, my main course, was a standout, perfectly roasted to enhance its natural flavors. My dining companion opted for the halibut, paired exquisitely with honshimeji mushrooms, making for another exceptional dish.

Despite the culinary excellence, our experience was marred by disappointingly poor service. It seemed as though the automatic inclusion of a service charge on our bill might have diminished our server's motivation to provide a welcoming and attentive experience. Her demeanor was off-putting from the start, giving us the unwelcome impression of being a burden rather than valued patrons.

While the food was undoubtedly exceptional, warranting a return visit to explore more of the menu, the service left much to be desired. It's disheartening when the warmth of the hospitality doesn't match the quality of the cuisine, and one can't help but wonder if the experience could have been more enjoyable on a...

Among myriad of oyster bars around the city, Little Whale stands out with its modern series of inspired dishes drawing from Italian and American cuisines.

Recently took a visit with my friend to try this new place on Newbury. We started off with a dozen oysters, and as expected, they were extremely fresh and delicious. Out of the six different oysters we tried, our favorite was the beau soleil from New Brunswick. They were the smallest yet were more creamy and sweeter than the ones from Maine and MA. Wrapped in a delicate buttermilk batter, the fried clams were also exceptional. Similar to its sister restaurants, Little Whale’s signature caviar omelette displayed high-low aesthetics that immediately caught our attention. Huge pile of caviar was gorgeous to behold, and it went surprisingly well with the cheesy omelette. Its price tag still did seem excessive, but it was worth the experience.

For the entrées, we shared the swordfish and the lobster spaghetti. The swordfish was plain and slightly overcooked, but the lobster spaghetti was delicious. The toasted garlic breadcrumbs added a nice crunchy texture, and the roasted ragu sauce was also on point.

While this place probably won’t be my go-to for modern seafood fares in Boston, they still did a great job with creating interesting menus that adhere to their culinary philosophy. Would recommend coming here for some light drinks...