Phone: (09) 377 0125
Rating out of 10: Food: 7, Service: 7, Value: 7, Ambience: 8
As coincidence would have it we have eaten twice within a couple of weeks at establishments claiming the name Oyster and boasting views across marinas. They were some 5328km apart and it is pleasing to report the Auckland version was rather more impressive than its West Australian counterpart. The Mandurah oysters in Australia were small and sweet but the rest of the act was mundane - although, to be fair, the Auckland restaurant is considerably more upmarket and expensive.
This is not to say that the Oyster and Chop, which has opened in the former Food Store premises in the Viaduct square, is in any way fancy. Its pitch is mainstream, calculated to appeal to the broadest cross section. The deliberately traditional name is mirrored in a pretty traditional menu. Apart from the oysters, of which more later, you are looking at the usual suspects: routine starters including chicken liver parfait, calamari and steak tartare, a choice of steaks with traditional sauces, and fish and chips. Nothing here to alarm even the most conservative diner.
The decor is similarly comforting, nice white linen against a largely black background with large amounts of hanging greenery and, of course, a pleasing view into the marina with the passing evening pedestrian parade studded with lean and keen joggers who may fill you with guilt as you spear another chip - or not - as they sweat off into the distance.
The name implied an obligation to try the oysters, of which they offered five varieties and a range of treatments. I went for the Clevedon specimens served au naturel and they were as delightful as anyone could wish, plump, sweet and not too chilled, but it struck me that an opportunity was missed in not making available a mixed platter allowing the shellfish fancier to test the varying species against each other.