Wow look - it's me in a frumpy groutfit (that's an all grey outfit)! But in real news, you've gotta try Neptune's Oyster Bar the next time you're in Boston for a real local experience. This place was already bustling on a Friday morning when we put our names on the wait list at 11 am. I went with Karrie, a fellow oyster aficionado. As you know by now this is my favorite "safe" food to eat because it's so difficult to cause cross-contamination with something that literally comes in its own protective shell. That's not to say it's impossible, but it's less likely. 

This place is small and super casual, but not lacking at all in charm. The walls are lined with white subway tiles, the bar top is dark wood, and the staff is super friendly. It's the kind of place you can go to with family but also on a date or with a friend. It's a place for everyone. Just make sure you account for wait time. Ours was 2 hours so we left and came back. 

Neptune's is famous for its raw bar and its lobster roll. I ate from the raw bar and tried several types of east coast clams, oysters, and crab. Karrie had a lobster roll (pictured below). To order from the raw bar you just fill out what you want on this little card that indicates the variety, price, and size. We had champagne with our meal, as you do on a Friday afternoon. The waitress assured me that of course the raw bar was safe for dairy and nut allergy, and that the kitchen can also produce hot food to suit those allergies. But seeing the size of the kitchen (small), how busy the restaurant was, and how much butter and cream was on the menu, I decided against it. My allergies are too severe to take those kinds of risks. It was no problem for me though because I love seafood, especially when it's this fresh. In Toronto a Kumamoto oyster is pretty fancy but when I had it after a fresh Little Neck Clam there was no comparison.

If you're wondering what we did while we waited for our reservation.... we went on a photo spree and also threw an impromptu picnic at Faneuil Hall.