Shellfish dishes abound at Oyster Bar
The Oyster Bar at Santa Fe Station offers a refreshing change from the usual casino fare, with a spotlight on oysters on the half shell.
Located between the buffet and sportsbook area at 4949 N. Rancho Drive, the recently opened locale is a sliver of an eatery, with sparkling granite tile flooring and countertops helping to make it seem bigger. The signage uses a faux chalkboard theme to add to the ambience.
You know the fish is fresh when you see it in an iced display case where you enter. The emphasis is on counter seating with an open kitchen that allows one to watch the chefs prepare orders. Four tables up against the wall make use of bench-style seating.
Bring your wallet as well as your appetite: A simple plate of fish and chips will set you back $19.99. But the seasoned fries that come with it are a notch above most versions.
Also on the menu are New Zealand mussels on the half shell, shrimp cocktail, lump crab cocktail and Alaskan crab legs. Clams and mussels can also be had steamed.
Pan roasted meals offer a creamy tomato-based stew finished off with a touch of brandy. Options include a combination of shrimp, crab and lobster, a crab pan roast, shrimp pan roast, or lobster pan roast.
For those with an extra hearty appetite, the Seafood Jackpot offers an assortment of chilled shrimp cocktail, raw oysters, mussels and lobster tail.
Also available: cioppino (fisherman’s stew); linguine shrimp scampi; New England lobster roll; seafood jambalaya with rice and Bouillabaisse (Provencal-style shellfish stew).
Clam chowder soup comes in either New England (white) or Manhattan (red) styles. There is also the Alaskan clam chowder that has shrimp, crab and lobster.
Maybe you’re a gumbo person. Like the pan roast, one can order a mixed blend or select individual seafood. Chicken jumbo, Caesars salad and mac and cheese are about the only options for those not seafood inclined.
The Oyster Bar is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Call 702-515-4385 or visit tinyurl.com/santafeoyster.
