City Girl Review:: GT Fish & Oyster

Many of you asked me where I ended up dining for my birthday, as I’d mentioned it would be a surprise. Since my birthday falls on Valentine’s day, if I want to go out reservations have to be made months in advance - - and this fact, combined with my snobby citified alter ego who calls such holidays "amateur hour" usually leaves me staying in on my birthday.  Which I'm fine with.  Completely.  Until this year I decided I wanted to go out.

Luckily I have a guy who understands how seriously I take food, and got on the ball to make a reservation I would respect.  That is how we strolled into GT Fish & Oyster on the eve of St. Valentine, at the perfect weeknight reservation time of 7:00pm.

And let me tell you, despite what the evening caters to (prix fixe menus and the overt star-crossed lovers at the table over), GT delivers just the opposite ~ subtle and unique flavors in elevated cuisine.  And the oysters, oy!  I have never enjoyed them so much.  Could it be the GT sauce balanced the brine just so?  I'm not entirely sure yet what the secret is, so I guess I'll just have to go back to continue figuring it out.

What's more, all the while you're enjoying these oysters you're sitting in this gorgeous nautical chic oasis.  We're talking crisp, cool, salty breezes, barnacles, and sailing knots, juxtaposed with sleek high-shine wood planking, basket weave marble-tiled floor and some industrial chic lighting.  Designer Karen Herald supposedly took inspiration from both high-end yacht and modest seaside home and melded them into one, and it totally fits Chef Tentori's approach to food.  One part classic, old school tradition, one part elevated contemporary cuisine.

Tie up your Sperrys and head on over.  I'll meet you at the oyster bar.