the strong buzz, by andrea strong

“Jack's Luxury Oyster Bar”

October 14, 2003

Jack and Grace Lamb—the picture perfect couple behind such gems as Jewel Bako and Blue Goose—seem to be taking over the East Village restaurant scene. Last week they completed their trifecta with the opening of Jack’s Luxury Oyster Bar—a stunning, graciously appointed restaurant housed in a restored carriage house. Red and white gingham fabric walls, fine linens, vintage glass ware, and tall cherry-red leather banquettes set the tone downstairs in the marble oyster bar where you can sip glasses of 1990 Dom Perignon ($250 a bottle) with your oysters ($2), or delve into more substantial dishes like octopus terrine with olive relish ($9). The more intimate six-table upstairs room features a working fireplace, and the culinary talents of Alison Vines-Rushing, formerly of Ducasse, who lends a Southern twang to her French menu (she is from Louisiana) with dishes like shaved vegetable salad with pickled peach vinaigrette and pecan oil ($8), pig cheeks braised with langoustines, collard greens and turnips, en cocotte ($25), and a nightly changing tasting menu($75). It’s the sort of place that makes you feel like a million bucks even if you are worth significantly less.

Jack’s Luxury Oyster Bar, 246 East Fifth Street (b/wBowery & 2nd Avenue) 212-673-0338.

REPRINTED FROM THE MOBIL TRAVEL GUIDE

Andrea Strong