Seafood lovers find paradise at Center City's Pearl & Mary
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The list of oysters vary from small to large. These were from Prince Edward Island. Photo: Alexa Mencia/Axios
I'm perpetually searching for the city’s best spots to share a plate of freshly shucked oysters. So I dragged the Axios Philly team to the new Center City oyster bar Pearl & Mary for our end-of-year dinner last month.
State of plate: At the corner of S 13th and Sansom Streets, the restaurant from Michael Schulson — of Double Knot, Sampan and Via Locusta — serves up a menu that seafood lovers dream of:
- A raw bar with selections from lobster and snow crab to oysters from both coasts;
- Decadent appetizers, such as deviled eggs and oysters topped with caviar;
- And hearty entrees, including lobster rolls, tuna burgers, and grilled branzino.
Plus: There's a large, dimly lit bar fit for a quick bite or an intimate date night.
The highlights: The hamachi crudo topped with potato crisps and ponzu ($12) packed a crunch, while the uni baked oysters with yuzu and aioli ($17) were loaded with flavor.
- The steamed red snapper ($23) and the branzino ($24), served alongside lettuce cups and pickled veggies, were our favorites of the large dishes.
- And I loved the refreshing twist on a mint julep, served with tequila ($12).
Hot take: Skip the shrimp toast ($17). A bit bland.
If you go: Open Monday-Tuesday 4-10pm, Wednesday-Thursday 4-11pm, Friday 4pm-12am, Saturday 11:30am-12am, and Sunday 11:30am-10pm.
- Daily happy hour deals at the bar from 4-7pm
