If New York City has one thing down pat, it is the restaurants. Sure, there is the occasional dud, and with so many eateries around here, sub-par places go out of business before you can ask for a refill on your iced tea. That is why it is particularly disappointing to eat at a restaurant that isn’t good—out of all the great restaurants in the city, you happened to choose one of the stinkers!

This is the unfortunate case with Docks Oyster Bar. But first, the good points:

There is a large, comfortable dining room that is casual without seeming sloppy.

A large selection of oysters are expertly shucked. The east coast oysters are particularly delicious here—briny and plump, served with fresh horseradish.

The Spaghetti alla Vongole is delicious with its sweet littleneck clams in a garlicky, spicy marinara sauce.  The natural acidity of tomato sauce plays well against the tender clams, which come easily out of their shells and mix with the al dente noodles. This can also be ordered in a white wine and herb sauce, but the red sauce is really the way to go.

Now, the bad points:

The portion sizes are ridiculous for the prices. They are extremely small, so much so that after lunch, you might need a slice of pizza to tide you over until dinner. To serve a small portion for a low price is one thing, but at these prices, the portions should be more generous.

The service is lackluster. It is not rude, but it does take a while to get served. Also, the wait staff is not as attentive as it could be when empty glasses or correct orders are involved.

The most unfortunate part of the meal is the off-tasting sushi. The Blue Crab California roll is so fishy that it actually emits an odor. It tastes of iodine, and though the rice is well-prepared and the spicy mayonnaise might be lovely, the crab’s stench overtakes the entire meal.

Though Docks Oyster Bar does have some good points, it really doesn’t have enough. Small portions, lapses in service, and most importantly, ill-tasting seafood make this place a definite dud. This restaurant is best to visit for happy hour, when the prices are cheaper and the orders are taken directly at the bar.

After all, there are too many sensational restaurants to visit in The Big Apple.

Docks Oyster Bar
633 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10017
(212) 986-8080