$$$$ • Oyster Bar • Canary Wharf
We were really looking forward to visiting Oysteria at Canary Wharf, and as a couple of food lovers, especially seafood lovers, we weren't disappointed!
We arrived promptly for our 7:30 pm reservation and were seated straight away. As we'd brought our two large dogs, we opted for outdoor seating. Despite the chilly autumn evening, the heat lamps kept us lovely and warm, and the staff thoughtfully brought out a water bowl for our pups. A lovely touch!
Drinks arrived quickly, and my spicy margarita was delicious. Unfortunately, us well over 30 minutes before anyone came to take our food order, eventually managing to catch the attention of another server. Not the best start, but thankfully things improved from there.
We started with 12 oysters, half raw and half au gratin. They were large, incredibly fresh and delicious. The onion and wine vinaigrette was fantastic, while the Parmesan-topped au gratin oysters enhanced rather than overpowered the natural flavour.
The scallop skewers were another highlight. Beautifully seared scallops wrapped in pancetta, with caramelised sugar, cauliflower purée and leeks. Absolutely delicious!
For our main course, we shared the Oysteria House Platter for Two, featuring lobster, sea bass, octopus, swordfish, Argentinian prawns, squid and mussels. What a feast! Everything was cooked to perfection. The light marinara broth was packed with flavour, the swordfish was exceptional, and the lobster and prawns were beautifully sweet and buttery. Honestly, there wasn't a thing we didn't enjoy.
Dessert was the Basque cheesecake, with its caramelised top, creamy centre and strawberry sauce. Light, rich and the perfect finish. I rounded off the evening with a Godfather (whiskey and amaretto), while my wife enjoyed a Limoncello Spritz.
The music was upbeat and modern, creating a lively atmosphere, although a little louder than we'd have preferred for dining. Perhaps perfect for those enjoying cocktails
