Oyster Bar Brooklyn Sets Opening Date

The long-awaited Oyster Bar Brooklyn has finally set a date and will open at 254-256 Fifth Avenue in Park Slope Dec. 18 at noon.

The new 5,000-square foot restaurant will (which previously housed Fornino) will feature an open kitchen, retail market, bar and lounge area, and main dining room with 150 seats.

Grand Central Oyster Bar Brooklyn will present a décor that pays homage to the legendary original in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal while at the same time adding a new look in Park Slope. The restaurant will have a trio of buildings within this whole location, each characterized by its own distinct look. The retail market area has counters and stools that replicate New York, as well as oyster and pan roast stations in front of the open kitchen. 

A bar and lounge in the middle area includes a marble top bar with Edison lighting and doorways opening to the sidewalk. The bar lounge includes Saarinen furniture (tables, chairs and banquettes) that matches New York’s front lounge bar· Lastly, the 150-seat dining room with wood plank flooring includes an eight-foot chandelier piece briefly used at GCOB, including a three-dimensional boat motif. 

The menu will ultimately include traditional oyster bar core recipes such as classic pan roasts, stews and chowders, with a focus on shellfish: from oysters and clams to lobster, crab and shrimp. Sixteen varieties of oysters - 8 from both the east and west coasts - will be on the menu. In addition, pasta seafood specials will be served daily. The accent will also be on local produce from area farmers markets.