When I first moved to Philly, one of the first restaurants I tried was the Sansom Street Oyster House.  The interior was dark and outdated, and the food was good, but nothing to write home about.   Since then, it has changed ownership and undergone a complete renewal, including a slight name change to just “Oyster House”. 

Upon entering, the first thing I noticed was the open layout of the dining room, making the oyster bar the main focal point.  You can watch those shuckers going a mile a minute to fill orders of not only oysters, but other staples of raw bar platters, including the freshest littleneck and cherrystone clams, shrimp cocktail, and chilled half-lobsters.  Oyster House is not just for the avid oyster-lover!  There is a wide range of appetizers, raw-bar selections, small plates and entrees that will satisfy everyone.  

While you peruse the menu, order a cocktail.  The Oyster House punch is a fruity, effervescent concoction made with spiced tea, gin, grapefruit, and sparkling wine served in a drinking jar with ice.  It’s a tad sweet, a bit sour and ultimately one of the most refreshing summer beverages I’ve had to date.   Seeking a little more adventure?  Try an oyster shooter!  These are freshly shucked oysters, swimming in a beautifully balanced shot.  Most of the offerings are slightly spicy, but not overwhelmingly so.  We tried the Londoner, made with dill-infused gin and cucumber: a cool accompaniment to the briny oyster nestled in the bottom of the glass.  We also tried the Serafin, which was quite literally a well-balanced storybook of flavors, running the gamut of spicy, sweet pineapple, and then that fresh, clean celery-like flavor of the oyster to round out the whole experience. 

Oyster House offers some great craft beers that we all know and love here in Cheesesteak Territory, as well as a few of your usual suspects like Heineken and Yuengling.   Don’t miss out on unique cocktails and a reasonably priced wine list, featuring both wines by the glass and by the bottle. 

As far as specials go, check out the daily Buck-A-Shuck: one dollar oysters and drink specials during their happy hour.  For this sweet deal stop by Monday through Friday 5pm-7pm and Saturday 9pm-11pm.   And for the love of Pete, eat something!