Cool City Oyster Yard Nestles into 99 Sudbury

Photos by Yuli Scheidt

Originally posted to Ama’s weekly column on Toronto Is Awesome.

Cool City Oyster Yard is now open off to the side of 99 Sudbury. It’s hidden away just far away from Queen West that you feel like you’ve reached a beachside paradise. The restaurant patio is made of reclaimed wood and overhead you are surrounded by big summery umbrellas. If you close your eyes hard enough, you may just think you have reached paradise. But then you’ll hear the chimes of streetcars soon enough to remind you you’re not too far from home.

Cool City Oyster Yard is the brainchild of Marco Petrucci (El Mocambo) and Executive Chef Michael Pataran (one-time resort chef in the Caribbean). Together they joined forces to bring a space that provided beach-front chic while still providing great eats. This translates in all the little details being taken care of upfront: brown paper being laid down on the tables, bars made up of packing skids and uncovered patios.

First up, we decided to try the namesake oysters out. Available in seven to nine varieties daily (we were able to try that day Washington’s Kumamoto and Nova Scotia’s Northern Nova at $3.10/each, P.E.I.’s plump Lucky Limes at $2.75 each, Nova Scotia’s Green Gables and New Zealand’s Coromandels at $3.50 each.), dozens are discounted and served on trays. You are served up house-made condiments with your oysters including a Jalapeño lime, Bahamian hot pepper sauce and my favourite, Japanese pickled shallot and cucumber vinaigrette.

Of the oysters presented that day, our two favourites were the plump and juicy New Zealand Coromandels and the slightly tangy Lucky Limes from PEI. Shucker Misha was quick and efficient at his job, ensuring that no oyster meat was left on the shell thus not making it difficult to slurp back. He was also very entertaining to watch behind the bar, as he took a moment to show off his impressive shucking skills.

To wash down our oysters, we ordered up some beautiful summer-time drinks: the Pimm’s Cup and the Bahama Mama cocktail, which consisted of pineapple, Malibu and orange (just to name a few). The cocktails on the menu are beautifully executed and well done. They are all excellently paired with the dishes and again pair well with the beachfront vibe. Cocktails are available by the pitcher ($45) along with draught beer. Plus, lots and lots of sake.

But if oysters aren’t your thing, they offer so much more. Take for example the Hamachi ($21) dish that we ordered up. Served with wasabi peas, rice flake crust, pea puree, snap peas, radish and a pickled cucumber slaw – the dish was fresh, clean and embraced everything about summer. All the flavours sing together and the Hamachi really comes through as the true hero.

Finally as a final treat to ourselves, we finished off with something that could only be described as simply irresistible: Popcorn Prawns ($16). These plump, battered shrimp from heaven are batter fried covered in a chive aioli and then smoked in lemon salt. As soon as the plate in set down on your table, this scent of deliciousness hits your table and the first bite your take cannot be described. This was probably the best dish I had of the evening.

The patio does tend to become packed quickly, as seating is only for 45-50 people and is weather dependent. But if you’re in the mood for some delicious cocktails and oysters, then head on over to Cool City Oyster Yard.