upstate craft beer & oyster bar — Restaurant in New York

I've visited this oyster bar countless times over the decade I've lived in New York. However, our last visit on February 24, 2024, marked a disappointing change.

Disappointment 1 - Unequal Treatment: Discrimination Against Asians We had reserved a table for three at 5 but arrived 15 minutes late due to weekend traffic. Despite the restaurant being nearly empty at 5:15 PM—with only one table occupied in the dining room and the bar area deserted—the receptionist informed us they could no longer hold our table due to our tardiness, offering seating around the bar or outside. Given the cold day, we preferred not to sit outdoors, so I politely inquired if we could wait at the bar for a dining room table to become available. The receptionist refused, stating that table assignments could not be altered once guests were seated. (Ironically, later, we observed a Caucasian couple being reseated upon request.)

Attempting to resolve the reservation issue, I successfully booked another table for three at 5:30 through Google. However, upon showing this to the receptionist, she dismissed it, claiming no tables were available. Doubtful of her honesty, we were advised to return at 6:30 PM when she assured us seating would be available. So we waited next door at The Headless Widow. During our wait, I secured another reservation for 6:15 PM and returned to the oyster bar at 6:00 PM to check on our seating. Surprisingly, at 6:07 PM, the receptionist seated us as if the previous booking issues never existed.

Disappointment 2 - Unfair Bill & Bad Service After we were seated, I ordered 4 happy hour combos with wine, my go-to order at this restaurant. The server typically takes the 4 glasses of wine order as a bottle. Later, we ordered another set of 4 happy hour combos with wine. The waitress promptly brought the second bottle accompanying our meal. However, the oysters did not arrive after a 40-minute wait. I informed the waiter in the restaurant that we wished to cancel our oysters due to the lengthy wait, and he assured us it was no problem. Shortly after, the waitress approached our table aggressively, stating we could not cancel the oyster order since the wine bottle had already been delivered and accusing me of being inconsiderate despite our 40-minute wait.

I explained that I had already canceled the order with the waiter and would not pay for items we never received. She then angrily presented us with the check, which still included the 8 happy hour combos with wine.

I told her that in this case, I was expecting to pay only for four happy hour combos with wine + a bottle of wine. She then reacted with a tantrum, disputing the equivalence of four glasses of wine to a bottle and demanding payment for the incorrect bill. After going back and forth, she finally agreed to adjust the bill, yelled at me, saying forget about the tips, and wished me to leave ASAP.

Disappointment 3 - Deliberate Damage to My Card After paying the bill with our card, we didn't use the same card for several days. It wasn't until today that I discovered the chip on our card had been deliberately damaged. Deep scratches are visible on the chip, as shown in the picture. Clearly, the damage occurred on the day we dined at the restaurant after we handed in the card for the bill. It was such low-class behavior, something I would never have expected to experience in a restaurant that I used to love visiting.

Experiences like these tarnish a business's reputation and highlight the urgent need to address issues of discrimination. I urge the management to investigate these incidents, take appropriate action against such discriminatory practices, and ensure that all customers feel welcomed and valued. Let this be a turning point towards a more inclusive and respectful dining experience...

I've been coming to Upstate for a little over two years and every time I come, it never disappoints.

But before I get to the awesomeness there are two things that you need to be aware of which I think if you get over; you will have a great time.

You need to be prepared to wait but it's LES near St. Marks. Just put your name down and they will text you. If you're hungry and getting restless in waiting I'd say stop by Luke's Lobster and grab a quick snack with whoever you're going with (Sorry Shane for advertising another food place). Large groups are tough given the footprint of the restaurant however if you call and let them know ahead of time they'll do their best to accommodate.

I'll start with the Oysters. Probably the best selection you can get in all of Manhattan without paying over 3 dollars an oyster. I would say as comprehensive as Aquagrill. Texture, tastes and quality is top tier. The half-dozen and beer for $12 is bang for your buck. Yes people need to stop telling me about the $8 dollar special at other places because it's apples to oranges. I'll pay $4 more any day and pass up the Bluepoint and PBR special.

I've pretty much tried everything on the menu but i'll talk about my favorites. To start or to share I would say the crab cakes and salmon tartar is the best. Crab cakes come with a little arugula and honey. This creates a taste that blends well as it creates a a great bitter sweet taste. I'm a tartar fan so I'll say it's seasoned well and is definitely sushi grade salmon. Followed by the octo salad and whatever they have ceviche. I'm okay with these two but not my favorite.

Entrees that I usually if not always get the linguine with clams, scallops with seasonal vegetables and the fish special. The linguine is definitely more on the garlic side but I love it. Scallops are always nicely grilled on the outside on high heat and still soft in the middle. Tough to comment on the fish because it changes seasonally but I would say it's always flaky, never overcooked and fresh.

To top it off is a slice of homemade whiskey cake. Can't beat that. I usually top off the night with a glass of Rose (which I always get made fun of for but it's a great way to finish the night after 2-3 beers).

I love this place and will be going here as long...

the excitement of eating at this restaurant has woken me up in the morning. my day was filled with the adrenaline from anticipation for dinner time. the reservation was made over the phone over two weeks ago and since then i have been like a rabid bog chained up with a piece of oyster dangling just out of reach. after work i sprint to catch the train, im squirming in my seat with a smile stretched across my face when i feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. I almost wish i hadnt looked at my phone, and lived blissfully in ignorance just a little bit longer. When i read the notification on my phone that my reservation was canceled, i was stun-locked. The weight of my phone became unbearable and it slips through my fingers and falls onto the floor with a muffled thud. I feel the strength in my knees drain and my legs buckle, I’m on the floor. Maniacal mumbling creates an aura of insanity around my crouched body. “surely this isn’t real…. how can they cancel a reservation made over two weeks in advance?” I manage to limp and crawl to the restaurant with the last remaining strength I have left, probably from the sliver of hope that there must have been some sort of error with the booking. I approach the host and the only words i was able to manage was hello and my name. before I was able to inquire about my canceled reservation, I was berated by the host, “why are you here without your full party!? don’t waste my time!” followed by a scoff and an eye roll. They turned around and walked back into the restaurant before i could even respond. I felt a pain deep inside my chest, and my throat began to close up. I was on the verge of tears but no tears came out. This pain was beyond sadness, it was despair, a complete and utter shattering of my faith. I hope no other patron of this establishment ever goes through the heartbreak and mistreatment that I went through. I wouldnt even wish it on my...