At Oyster Boy, we eat, live and breathe oysters. We love their hard shells, their smooth taste and that the un-class-conscious way they make themselves at home in a rowdy pub or a black tie affair. But more than anything, we love to share these magnificent mollusks and all their juicy secrets with the masses!more...See more text
For Adam Colquhoun, bivalves are a beautiful thing. And at his Queen West seafood restaurant Oyster Boy, Adam shares his passion for oysters with folks from Toronto and all over the world.
Oyster Boy’s official slogan is “Mollusks for the Masses,” inspired by the fascinating history of oysters and cuisine. Before they became a gourmet favourite, they were largely a working-class staple. The mission of Oyster Boy is to make shellfish accessible to everyone. Says Adam, “We aim for a casual, east-coast-pub feeling.”
This casual yet chic philosophy extends to the restaurant’s ambience. While the selection of baked or fried oysters is top-notch, the space has an unpretentious cabin-like décor with walls displaying the art and ephemera of oyster fishery. While the tables and bar are usually filled up by 6 p.m., the ambience is never too boisterous. In a clamshell, you could say, Adam has created a space where time slows down a little so that you can sit back and savour some good conversation and delicious seafood.
Oyster Boy has its oysters shipped in daily. Because it offers only the freshest oysters from coast to coast, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the most popular oyster bars in town. You can also attend two hour workshops about shucking, preparing and presenting oysters. You’ll be an expert in no time!
As everyone knows, raw oysters are an aphrodisiac, so Oyster Boy could really amp up your night out.
But what you might not know is Oyster Boy has been supplying Toronto’s top restaurants with their fresh oysters for decades, so why not just go to the source?
Our city is bursting with seafood restaurants all of a sudden - I say go with one of the originators, one of the very best. With such a fantastic menu (Bouillabaisse, Cobb Salad, Fish Tacos, Whole Steamed Lobster or Crab) and fun, casual atmosphere, you’ll be hooked. Line and sinker.
Mollusks for the masses is the saying at Oyster Boy, the Queen West oyster bar, retail store and catering company. The oysters arrive directly from the harvesters on both coasts, which means the selection changes daily. If you want to take some home, Oyster Boy sell oysters by the piece or by the box, just be sure to call ahead for un-shucked oysters.