Inspired by the convivial atmospheres and grand, fresh-off-the-boat seafood platters at New York's Blue Ribbon and Montreal's Joe Beef and Au Pied de Cochon, Ox Restaurant's Greg Denton and Gabrielle Quiñónez Denton will transform part of their cocktail-hub-meets-waiting-room The Whey Bar into an oyster hot spot as soon as Friday, September 6.

The project is starting small, with oysters and simple raw small plates available exclusively in the Whey Bar, but don't be surprised if more elaborate presentations make their way to the table.

The new oyster counter required a slight rearranging of the space, but Whey Bar regulars needent fear any major change in the room's cozy decor.

So, why oysters? "We want to make the wait for a table at Ox more comfortable, and a lot more fun," Greg Denton explains. "Oysters are a great way to start a meal, and sharing a plate of them just feels like a good time." He's got a point: a bottle of bubbles and a platter of oysters will surely make any wait more tolerable. We'll drink to that!

If all goes according to plan, the oyster bar will start shucking next weekend. Stay tuned for updates!

The Whey Bar
2225 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
503-284-3366