Hunter The Restaurant — Restaurant in Town of Oyster Bay

Hunter Restaurant offers a fine dining experience that beautifully marries classic French technique with the vibrant traditions of the Mediterranean. From the moment we arrived, the inviting ambiance set the tone for a memorable evening. The high walnut ceiling and serpentine onyx bar exude elegance, making it clear this is a space designed for culinary artistry.

Our meal began with a delightful selection of bread, prosciutto, and olives—a simple yet flavorful start. For appetizers, we tried the French pizza, eggplant Napoleon, and artichokes a la plancha. The French pizza was a standout—paper-thin, crisp, and infused with Mediterranean flavors, all prepared with the finesse of French cooking. The eggplant Napoleon offered a wonderful contrast of textures, while the artichokes a la plancha delivered a smoky, charred richness.

For mains, the Paella Española was an enjoyable choice. The dish featured bold Mediterranean flavors, with perfectly cooked seafood and a robust spicy sauce that complemented it beautifully. However, I couldn’t help but miss the socarrat—the signature crispy rice layer that would have taken the dish to the next level. Another favorite at our table was the Branzino, a flavorful fish with perfectly crusted skin, cooked to perfection. It was a true highlight of the evening, showcasing the kitchen’s ability to elevate even the simplest ingredients.

Overall, Hunter delivers a dining experience that is both refined and approachable. The thoughtful design by James Beard Award-winning architects Bentel and Bentel enhances the experience, creating a warm and elegant setting that complements the innovative menu. While there’s room for small improvements, the exceptional dishes and welcoming atmosphere make Hunter a destination I’d...

i never do this as i also work at a restaurant so i feel like i understand that things happen, but the more ive thought about it, the more i decided i needed to write a review.

let me preface by saying it was mother’s day, things happen on holidays, that’s understandable. HOWEVER, i made a reservation a week prior for Hunter (specifically because my son had been before and his name is also Hunter), and when i arrived - about 15 min early - i was told there wouldn’t be a table for an hour. i’m a single mom and just wanted to take my son somewhere nice for once, so i was willing to wait. but, unfortunately, the host seated my 11 year old son and i at the bar???? for the remainder of our reservation.

not only is it illegal to seat a minor at the bar, but it was very evident they had overbooked the restaurant and weren’t going to have any seats for me anyway. not wanting to ruin the experience for my son, i agreed to sit at the bar, but i definitely wasn’t thrilled about that. it would have made more sense to ask another group who had older children to sit there, but i digress. luckily the bartender was delightful.

i ordered the french pizza, the tuna tartar, and the special steak for 2 (which was $75/pp). the pizza was fine, the tuna tasted like 100% olive oil, and the steak, at mid rare, was cold in the middle. i mentioned the tuna tasted like olive oil and the bartender responded by telling me he had eaten it for lunch, which is amazing i’m glad they feed their employees good food. but doesn’t negate the fact that it was awful and i couldn’t even eat it.

however, this experience was so disappointing after about $350 spent on a dinner i would never want to...

We heard rave reviews about Hunter The Restaurant where we decided to celebrate Father’s Day. The restaurant is small but spacious which gives you that intimate cozy ambiance and elegant decor. We were greeted warmly and was immediately seated to our table since we made reservations for 4 people. They served complimentary bread, olives and prosciutto ham which wasn’t too salty and melted like butter. It was a good combination to dip the bread on the broth that came with the spicy steamed clams of White Wine, Garlic, Cilantro, Serrano Chilies appetizer. For the main course we ordered and shared the dry aged porterhouse for 2 with a side of french fries, broccoli rabe and sauce béarnaise. We also ordered the Paella Española with Prawns, Clams, Calamari and Cod for 2. The items are familiar enough to feel comfortable, yet unique enough to provide an unforgettable culinary experience. We ordered multiple desserts starting with the (1) strawberry shortcake with fresh berries, (2) Apple Galette, (3) Ricotta Cheesecake with Raspberries, (4) Mango Créme Caramel, (5) Pistachio Parfait, (6) Vanilla Sorbet. Each dessert were beautiful, inventive, seasonal, and poetic.

Our server Francisco and his team was professional, very accommodating, and knowledgeable.

We even met the young innovative Chef Hunter so we can pay our compliments. He explained how everything is handmade and nothing is frozen except for the ice cream. He was also nice enough to pose a picture with us too.

Overall the food and service was truly impeccable. I hate to use that word and sound pretentious, but I don't know what else to say--they...