Bay House Oyster Bar & Restaurant — Restaurant in Erie

First of all, there was only one other table taken when we came in for an early dinner. Secondly, came in for oysters as that's what they seemingly specialized in.

I asked our waitress how they oysters are prepared. Usually, I wouldn't do that but maybe I had a subconscious hunch. I specified that I prefer them raw and alive, aka attached to the shell. Waitress asked me to explain as she had never heard that distinction being made.My friend ordered a warm oyster dish. My oysters, despite being the cold dish, were served 10 minutes before my friend's entree, so we couldn't enjoy them at the same time. What was worse: my "fresh" oysters had already been detached from the shell. I did eat the half dozen, had a floury taste but otherwise edible. However, very tiny despite being the largest size of the selection. Natural product, well, never mind that. When she came back, she pushed the empty shells back in front of me, as if to say to continue eating. That's when I told her that they had been detached despite the expectation of having live oysters served. She claimed she had never heard of that before and asked me where I had eaten oysters before. My friend ordered coffee before the main meal to go with the entree. She had to ask twice for the waitress to bring it to her after 15 minutes. When she did, there was neither a spoon with the cappuccino nor sugar offered. I went to the bar to get those items as our waitress had disappeared. When she saw me there, she asked if I needed a clean spoon instead. I responded, that we didn't have one at all. She went back to the table leading the way, to refill our water bottle. Water tasted like chlorine. Very disappointing for such an upscale restaurant where you would expect a good filter. All the while, the 8 other waitresses were off and on loitering by our table, chatting and gossiping while not having any other tables to service. Very odd behavior. The kitchen had a viewing window where one could observe the two cooks enjoying their food as well. When the maître d' passed by our table, we had been talking about getting the check and leaving before the main course. I stopped him and asked for the check. Of course, he asked about why and when I summarized the above account, he apologized profusely and pointed out that they pride themselves in stellar service. Well, unfortunately, it hadn't happened for us. He wouldn't let us pay and compt the meal so far. A nice gesture that definitely neutralized the underwhelming mediocrity of our experience a little. I hope they train their staff in etiquette and the proper way to serve oysters...

I had the pleasure of dining at the Bayhouse Restaurant and Oyster Bar in Erie, PA, multiple times during my graduation celebrations with my parents, and each visit left me absolutely amazed. From the moment we stepped foot into this charming establishment, we were greeted with warm hospitality and an ambiance that exuded both elegance and relaxation.

The Bayhouse's menu is an absolute treasure trove for seafood enthusiasts. As an oyster lover, I was thrilled by the diverse selection of fresh oysters from various regions. The oysters were impeccably shucked, displaying the culinary skills of the talented chefs. Each briny bite transported me to the coastal regions where these gems were sourced. Alongside the oysters, we indulged in other seafood delights like perfectly grilled jumbo shrimp and succulent lobster tails that were nothing short of heavenly.

What truly sets the Bayhouse apart is the remarkable attention to detail and the impeccable quality of their ingredients. The flavors in every dish were a harmonious symphony of tastes, expertly balanced and thoughtfully crafted. The chefs here clearly have a deep understanding of how to bring out the best in each ingredient. From the delicately seared scallops to the exquisitely seasoned grilled fish, every bite was an explosion of flavor.

The service at the Bayhouse was equally impressive. The staff members were friendly, attentive, and well-versed in their knowledge of the menu. They graciously accommodated our requests and provided excellent recommendations when we were undecided. Their professionalism and genuine enthusiasm for ensuring an exceptional dining experience were commendable.

The interior of the restaurant is tastefully decorated, with a soothing color palette and stylish furnishings that create an inviting and comfortable atmosphere. The bay view adds a touch of serenity to the overall experience, enhancing the feeling of being transported to a coastal oasis.

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion like graduation or simply seeking an unforgettable dining experience, the Bayhouse Restaurant and Oyster Bar is the perfect choice. It exceeded my expectations on every visit, leaving an indelible mark on my taste buds and memories. I wholeheartedly recommend this gem to anyone who appreciates exceptional seafood, superb service, and an ambiance that embraces both sophistication and relaxation.

Thank you, Bayhouse, for making my graduation celebrations truly incredible. I look forward to returning to create even more cherished moments with...

Phenomenal food. Probably one of the most expensive restaurants in Erie, but well worth it on a special occasion (or if you're just feeling flush). The waitress was amazing - funny, attentive, had a remarkable memory (she handled a party of 5 and all our tangents, questions, and options without needing to write anything down) and handled curveballs amazingly well. For instance, none of the deserts struck my fancy (being rich, dense and heavy where I prefer tart or bitter or sour and acidic flavors) and she suggested that I could "drink" my dessert - so I told her I wanted something 'tart' and 'sweet' and that I liked passionfruit and she went away and brought back the yummiest cocktail I'd never heard of! We tried the lobster dip (very good), fried mussles (my personal favorite - a suckerpunch of flavor w/a hotsauce dip), lobster ravioli (the table's favorite), shrimp paperdelle (good but not interesting enough for me; the two who ordered it were very happy, though), tuna tataki (great sauce, good/average tuna and salad and could have used a mellowing ingredient like an avacado component would have been nice), lemon cake (very delicate and light like a mousse), carrot cake (absolutely amazing and the most flavorful and delicious dessert in my opinion), and peanut butter brownie (far too sweet for my taste). The best part was EVERY SINGLE thing on the menu looked totally appealing and I cannot wait to go back again. But as much as I want to order all new things b/c the prices are crazy and it seems a waste to spend $22 or more on one appetizer that you've already tried before, I'll definitely be getting those fried oysters since they're one of the most dynamic flavor profiles I've had in an Erie restaurant. Do be warned, however, that the apps are the price of entrees and the entrees are the price of filet mignon in other restaurants and the apps are TINY. Not good for sharing with more than 2 ppl and kinda make you baulk when you look at the size of the plate and then the price. If the apps were $7 less on average, I'd be much happier and I'd have ordered a lot more. I actually almost ordered a "sampler" appetizer that had a bit of everything before one of my companions pointed out that it was...