Blue Island Oyster Bar and Seafood

Blue Island Oyster Bar in Cherry Creek is a fabulous spot to host a dinner party, and we did just that last week. The theme? Rosé and Fall Fête. The girls and I headed to Blue Island Oyster Bar and got ready to enjoy some fabulous seafood & Hampton Water Rosé. We arrived at Blue Island Oyster Bar, and we were seated in the main dining room. The aesthetic of the restaurant was reminiscent of a coastal town with blues, neutral tones & cool nautical decor throughout. Service was top notch as Sarah Gore & Grant Dobbie ensured everything for our dinner party was teed up. Servers Ben & Linda were attentive and professional - they handled our large party seamlessly. Nobody's glass was ever empty, and the food was timely brought out. We started with Oysters. The Oysters were so fresh - Blue Island Oyster Bar partners with Blue Island Shellfish Farms in Long Island, NY in order to bringing high-quality seafood to Colorado.Naturally, the Hampton Water Rosé was flowing the entire meal and it paired brilliantly with all the seafood. The rosé's light, refreshing flavor profile complemented the delicate flavors of the oysters, clams, & lobster.The City's Best Clam Chowder was East Coast chowder topped with a piping hot sea clam fritter. The Clam Chowder was creamy & thick with tender chunks of potatoes that melted in our mouths. The clam fritter was comparable to a clam beignet - it was a crisp, golden brown on the outside, pillowy & light on the inside. Tiny chunks of clam were nestled in the fritter's warm, fluffy dough.For mains, we had Blue Island Oyster Bar's gorgeous Signature Lobster Rolls that were stuffed to the brim with lobster. We had our choice of New England (mayo) or Connecticut-Style (butter). I had mine New England style, and the creamy, tangy mayo provided a light and refreshing backdrop for the sweet lobster. We couldn't get enough of the lobster rolls.For dessert we had Key Lime Pie. The pie was smooth and creamy with a golden graham cracker crust. The tartness of the key lime pie paired well with the floral notes of the rosé - it created a refreshing and balanced combination for dessert.

Coming from California, we're accustomed to high prices, but the portion sizes here were surprisingly small, even during happy hour.We checked in around 5:40 p.m. on a Friday and were told there would be a 40-minute wait, but we were seated in just 9 minutes? Not entirely sure how I feel about that but I'm glad they were able to accommodate us! While our waiter was kind enough to honor the happy hour prices, the food portions were quite disappointing.We ordered the crispy fish sandwich slider ($7.50), wagyu steak taco ($10), ahi tuna taco ($7.50), togarashi fries ($8), two cups of chowder ($9 each), and two dozen oysters ($2.50 each, totaling $60). The wagyu taco was the standout appetizer, but paying $10 for one taco during happy hour felt excessive. We also enjoyed the togarashi fries and I will admit the chowder was good, but it came in a very small portion--literally just seven spoonfuls. The other tacos and sliders were also single servings and quite average. The only reasonably priced item was the oyster, which I would highly recommend (but also depends on the oyster of the day, we prefer sweet finishes)! We also tried various drinks, none of which are worth mentioning but if you enjoy espresso martinis, be aware they do not use actual espresso here. Shoutout to our server, John, for being very kind and attentive! Although we will not be returning, it was nice to try.

A solid option for some fresh oysters and seafood in the Denver area! We stopped by for a late lunch on a Friday and we were seated immediately. My husband and I both got the 3-course power lunch: Chowder, Knuckle Sandwich for my husband and I got the Small Ceasar and Surf & Turf. They were out of the cookies but we got a slice of Key Lime Pie for an additional $3. Additionally we got 6 oysters.The chowder and knuckle sandwich were very flavorful and not overly fishy. The lobster was super fresh and light. I had high hopes for the surf and turf. The steak was a bit tough and not very tasty and the shrimp were small. The potatoes were in a tower form which personally I don't really enjoy. The 6 oysters we got were super fresh for being in CO. And the key lime pie was reminiscent of pies we had gotten in FL.Overall, I would dine here again but would not order the surf and turf again.

I love seafood so even when in land locked places like Denver I search for good seafood. I'm thrilled to report that my miso Chilean sea bass had wonderful flavor. The noodles and veggies added a nice contrast of texture. I love olive oil cake so thought I would give the blood orange olive oil cake a try based on the bartender's recommendation. Well we have a different definition of constitutes a good cake. I didn't like that it was cold and a little dry. So I informed the bartender and he replaced it with the key lime pie. Another of my favorites. I was very happy with that selection. It had a nice smooth creamy texture and the graham crust was nice and buttery. I will likely return there in this trip to try the jumbo fried shrimp or cracker crusted cod. Apologies I didn't take a photo of the dessert.

Came on a Monday for "oyster Monday" - $15/dozen. We also tried the Calamari and split the scallop and shrimp risotto. All were wonderful. The restaurant is beautiful and the service was excellent - speedy and helpful with the menu. A new Denver favorite for us.

A nice restaurant if you like fish. Modern and clean interior. Lots of choices of shell fish and fish with fins, not as many choices. Food is properly prepared. The prices are moderate and service is good. OK, it is located in Cherry Creek North. You know what is coming next - great area but finding parking spots can be difficult.

Loved this oyster bar. I tried several different kinds of oysters. They were all very fresh and flavorful. The staff were friendly and bartender was very knowledgeable about the oyster menu. I definitely recommend checking it out!!

You can't beat $1.25 oysters on Shucks Monday! Service was top notch and the blackberry oysters we had were amazing.

I love eating out...and always seek out amazing places. Blue Island oyster is a favorite!!! Consistently perfect...great atmosphere, happy customers and the food is excellent!!! (And we are in denver!!! Not by the ocean!!)I haven't had the brunch yet but I've heard it's incredible!!! My goal is to try everything on the menu....hard tho, because it's hard to not order my favorites!!!!

My recent visit to Blue Island Oyster Bar in Cherry Creek for their Friday 2pm Happy Hour was nothing short of delightful. Nestled in the bustling Cherry Creek neighborhood, the convenience began even before stepping inside, with street parking available at a mere $2.00 through PayByPhone, adding to the hassle-free start of our gastronomic adventure.Arriving a tad early (1:45pm) for the Happy Hour specials, we decided to dive into the regular cocktail menu, where "The Good Thyme" cocktail immediately caught our eye. True to its name, it was indeed a 'good time,' so much so that we ordered another round even though it wasn't on the HH menu without a second thought. The drink's perfect blend of flavors set a high bar for the rest of the afternoon.As for the food, (we did get off the HH menu) we opted for the salmon sliders and the signature Blue Island fish taco, both of which were exemplary in taste and presentation. The salmon sliders were a hit, with just the right balance of flavors to complement the seafood without overpowering it. The fish taco was equally impressive, living up to its 'signature' status with every bite offering a burst of fresh and savory notes.No visit to an oyster bar would be complete without sampling the oysters. And by sampling I mean sharing 1.5 dozen. The oysters were simply delicious, and served with a variety of accompaniments that enhanced their natural flavors. This was a highlight of our visit, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to quality and freshness.The atmosphere of Blue Island Oyster Bar during our visit was pleasantly calm, making it an ideal spot for those looking to escape the usual hustle and bustle of Cherry Creek. It wasn't overly busy, allowing for a more relaxed dining experience where we could truly savor each dish and drink. Our server was very attentive. Highly recommend coming here on a Friday afternoon if you are in the area.