One of my favorite things is reading angry 1-2 star Yelp reviews while eating at the very same place. Service: the angry people say terrible. I wonder whether their expectations are possibly met on the current planet. We arrived as walk-ins on a hopping Sat. night and asked about a table or the bar. The fantastic hostess, who buzzed around checking on tables, helping mix drinks, keeping things moving, let us know a couple of seats were about to open at the bar and took our drink orders. She then ver gracefully steered the douche-presenting group of six who blazed past the hostess desk and took those bar seats back to the front. Gold star service all while looking cool and friendly. Food: the angry people said nothing notable. The bartender recommended the rockfish. The grits did add a great texture like he said, and the red sauce was awesome. My partner had the branzino with the sauce recommended by the same bartender. I dunno maybe it's me. But I feel like service should be based on whether you trust the recommendations because the vibe feels like people you trust. Five stars on everyone we talked to and on their recommendations. Closing on a glass of Madeira and butterscotch pot de creme. Not angry. read more

I am a big oyster lover and my partner surprised me for valentine's day to this hidden gem in Menlo Park. We got the Miyagi and East Coast oysters and they did not disappoint. The service was okay because we felt we were being judged for just ordering oysters. We didn't want to eat too much because we had more meals planned throughout the day. We requested outdoor seating but there were so many bugs outside that it went inside our drinks many times. I am a bit surprised that Menlo Park isn't clean and especially in the winter. This might mean they don't clean their outdoor area and the kitchen might not be as clean either. read more

Clark's Oyster Bar - oysters - Desserts Near Me - Menlo Park, California

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I'm in seafood heaven... I had an amazing seafood dining experience with all of my favorite seafood dishes! Started with some fresh oysters. Tried 3 kinds and they were all fresh. Next, their New England Clam Chowder. I like the touch of tabasco on top. The heat goes well with the soup. From now on I will crave that touch of heat. Also added the Ceviche which I'm glad we did because I really love the vibrant flavors. For the main dishes we had Lobster Roll and Scallops .Scallops were good but slightly overcooked to my liking. But the Lobster Roll is now at the top of my list. I usually preferred just buttered version without the mayo. But their mayo version is one of the best I've tried. The mayo is light and does not overpower the lobster meat. And they put a full piece of the claw meat on top. The bread was buttery, soft, and crunchy. The shoestring fries is enjoyable to pair it with. (Writing about it makes me want to go back right now. Haha.) And to end the meal, we had Key Lime Tart. The citrus lime taste is just right. The ratio of crust to topping is good and creates a perfect bite. I love the coconut on top, it totally complements the taste. What a delicious meal! It can be a bit pricey especially when you want to try so many dishes. But most of it is worth it. If there's any dish I would get again when I come back, definitely the Lobster Roll, Ceviche, and Key Lime. The facade of the restaurant is plain, but when you go inside, you feel the transport to a seafood haven. The staff's uniforms give nautical vibe. The service was fast and efficient. They check on our experience and they are on top of things. Tables can be a bit cramped maybe because it was a busy weekend. But overall a good dining experience. And bonus points for having a clean and nice restroom. read more

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First time having burnt honey ice cream and a chimichurri style bell pepper tomato sauce which I thought were quite unique. Had the following from their brunch menu: Sourdough bread - complimentary sourdough bread with whipped butter and a side of coarse salt to start. The bread was not overwhelmingly sour. Soft with slight chewy texture. One of the best sourdough breads I've had. You can tell it's made from scratch. The staff said it was fresh made daily. Nice detail to serve with salt on the side to allow diners to add the amount of salt to their liking. Buttermilk Pancakes w/ Ricotta Chantilly cream - pancakes' texture was a cross between a slightly fluffy pancake and a spongy thick crepe. Definitely had the buttermilk taste and just the right amount. The ricotta cream was very light. Yummy pancakes. Dungeness Crab Omelette - big lump of fresh sweet crab literally folded in the soft sheet of scrambled eggs. Very light hollandaise sauce. Came with crispy roasted baby potatoes sitting in what tasted like bell pepper tomato sauce and that looked like is what prepared chimichurri style. Good sauce. New England Clam Chowder - not the full on creamy type of chowder but it didn't need to be because it was very tasty. The bacon added another layer of flavor to the soup which balanced the seafood flavor. Not overly clammy flavor. They serve the oyster crackers in its own little bowl which I thought was an elegant touch. Basque Cake - The cake was topped with burnt honey ice cream and surrounded with chunks of caramelized pears and peeled almond pieces. The cake itself was not too sweet. I was expecting a cheesecake but it was more like a gooey butter cake. The outer layer had a coarse but soft texture, like an almond flour. The center layer was smoother and had a more sticky consistency. The honey ice cream added the sweetness that remind me of toffee flavor mixed with dark caramelized sugar. The pear added the sour tart flavor to balance the sweetness. The dining room was bright with a relaxed atmosphere. The staff who served our table added to the calm friendly ambiance. Pricey but they definitely pay attention to details with complex taste and use quality ingredients. read more

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Second time didn't disappoint had oysters crab cakes keylime pie had Justin bartender great drinks read more

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New highlights in downtown Menlo Park! Love the exterior to interior designs, which brings such good vibe in the neighborhood. The seafood was very well seasoned and fresh. The service was excellent overall. Will come back often! read more

Great ambiance, staff, food, quality stuff and attention to details top down. Highly recommended!

I dined at Clarke's last night for a friend's birthday dinner. We sat on the outside patio as the restaurant can be rather loud. Even on a Monday evening. Our server was fantastic. Lots of great recommendations and very knowledgeable about the menu. We did more or less family style so we could try lots of different dishes. We had: Endive salad - good Shrimp cocktail- excellent Shrimp toast - amazing Crab cake - amazing Tuna tartare- very good Clam chowder - very good Fries - be careful, they're so good and addicting. Butterscotch dessert - amazing. All in all an excellent dinner. It's not cheap but that's pretty much par these days. Highly recommend!!! read more

Having loved Hog Island in the Bay Area, and Eventide/Row 34/Neptune Oysters in New England, I was very excited for an oyster bar to come to the Peninsula. Unfortunately, Clark's doesn't meet the same standards and I can put it in the same conversation as the others. Easy street free parking. Complimentary sourdough bread: Solid, but I wished it was served warm. They have a variety of rotating fresh oysters daily. At $4.50 each, they are definitely on the higher end. We tried the Royal Miyagi and Barnstable. They bring it out with horseradish, saltine crackers, cocktail sauce and a vinaigrette. Crudo Plate (1/5): This seemed like a popular dish and was looking forward to trying it. Personally, it fell flat as each fish had a slight mushy texture and the capers, onions and oil were quite overpowering. It could have used some sort of fruity notes as the lingering flavors weren't great. Lobster Roll (4/5): You can have it served warm "Connecticut style", which I usually recommend. It was a solid roll and not much to add. Mussels and Clams: Unfortunately, we didn't realize it was spicy so keep that in mind based on your tolerance. We ended up not being able to eat it. They were kind enough to remove it from our bill and comped us a free dessert, which was a kind gesture. Service was hit and miss. Our oysters and Crudo plate came out super fast, but there was a long lull until our entrees came out. read more

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We had a very nice dinner with our friends at Clark's. The cocktails were on point, we loved the "dressed" raw oysters, the crudo was fresh and delicious. The grilled octopus was perfectly tender and was yummy atop the bed of aioli. The pepperoncini was a bit of an odd pairing though. The shells and cheese had big chunks of crab up in there and was so cheesy and creamy. The linguini and clams also hit the spot and the crusty complimentary bread was perfect to mop up all that extra sauce. I totally missed the "whole" part in the description of the sand dab and was turned off when it was brought to the table: eyeballs, fins, skin and all. I prefer mine already filleted, de-skinned and not remotely resembling a fish. My dining companions thought it was delicate and tasty though. Stuffed, we still couldn't pass up dessert. We shared the double chocolate pie which was decadent and uber chocolate-y. Loved the smoooooth salted caramel ice cream too. Save room for this! Awesome service too! Not cheap: Clark's will set you back over a hun per person, but hey, seafood has never been cheap and we ARE in the middle of the Bay Area. read more

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Noelle's Yelp Notebook 2025 August 8, 2025 Dear Clark's Oyster Bar, Greetings :) On a warm summer day recently (yesterday) I was trying to figure out where to have lunch. Your restaurant came to mind as it was on my Yelp List of places to try. So I made the trek from the Willow Glen area of San Jose to Menlo Park. Being a homemaker my schedule is my own and I had no previous lunch engagements. Traffic was bad because I left San Jose around 11:30 PM Yet it was an easy peasy drive to Menlo Park (we dine all over the SF Bay Area). I called to see if you took Apple Pay, the person who answered your phones didn't know the answer but took my number down and said she would call me back. I never got a call back but it turned out fine. You do accept Apple Pay :) I scored parking in front of your beautiful restaurant. It gave a very vintage vibe which I loved. I had 15 minutes before my Open Table reservation so I decided to take a quick stroll before lunch. I love how Penzey's is across the street. Upon arrival I was greeted by the friendly host at the hostess desk. The aquarium caught my eye immediately, the sleek hardwood floors, the gorgeous painting about the handsome wood bar with the retro style stools and purse hooks made my heart skip a beat. The comfy booths and the tables with white table cloths - stunning. After being sad at a booth for two near the bar I couldn't help but notice the delectable loaves of freshly baked bread. Just wow- but even more so when I was able to savor the best sourdough bread with butter, sea salt and radish. I was dining solo. Bread - Butter - Radish - Sea Salt Shirley Temple Lobster Roll with shoe string fries Key Lime Pie Dahlia was a great server from start to finish. Everyone on staff was friendly and helpful. The Lobster roll was absolutely delicious from the delicious warm homemade bun to the fresh lettuce and the chilled and delicious lobster filling. Shoe string fries were perfectly fried and seasoned. The butter was the perfect accompaniment to the most delicious lobster roll. Shirley Temple was perfect. Key Lime Pie was so good it could make you cry (I'm not kidding you). It like the bread was pure perfection. I love how when I was sat they promptly gave water, with my seasonal allergy issues and sometimes parched throat it's always nice when water and menus are placed as you are seated. The tap water was good tasting (I'm a water snob). I'm looking forward to dining here with my husband and son, family and friends and just by myself. I know others have commented on the prices at your dining establishment but everything in the SF Bay Area is expensive. You have delicious food and high quality ingredients so it makes sense. Keep up the good work Clark's :) You're a great addition to the SF Bay Area and you're closer than Scoma's when I need my seafood fix!!! Cheers, Noelle Noelle's Notes Delicious food Great customer service Takes Apple Pay Expensive like my Cartier Love bracelets lol ;) The acoustics are loud but hey - you could always use your air pods max (only if you're dining solo, hahahaha). Restrooms are clean and like Star Noodle nice (at their first location on Maui) or nice like Be.Steak.A read more

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Amazing vibe, great place for drinks and apps, not sure I'd come here for the mains. Let me start by saying this place is a vibe-- it takes you back in time in the best way. We were sat outside, but we did walk though the bar/indoor restaurant area and it feels so special. I wish we were able to get a table inside so we could have enjoyed it a bit more. That being said, the tables outside are still great and they have heaters so I was comfortable the whole time. For food and drinks, I absolutely loved every drink I tried, and all of the oysters and appetizer. The entrees were mediocre, so I would probably come back for the atmosphere, and sit at the bar. Service was AMAZING. Our server was attentive, fun, and just all around a joy. He made some great recommendations and his service really stood out. My favorite things we had were the raw oysters (Kumamoto) and the oysters Rockefeller. The sourdough bread was also amazing although they definitely need to give you more butter;) The mac and cheese with crab was also phenomenal. And the fries were a hit with the whole table. I thought the lobster roll was fine-- I'll say I'm not a huge lobster roll person so I may not be the best judge of this, but it wasn't my all time favorite thing or even close. The linguine with clams was also pretty medium. It was just kind of plain and didn't really stand out. I probably wouldn't order it again. Also, this is a tiny detail but the napkins smelled kind of mildew-y-- like someone left them wet too long? Idk... it was a minor detail but thought I'd mention it. Overall I love Clark's. It has a beautiful, old time vibe, and I'll definitely be back for drinks and apps:) read more

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I always have the best time when I come here! I book company team events here and they have a very cute Blue Room that fits 10 guests. They are very accommodating, responsive, and the food is always so delicious! I love coming here! read more

Exec summary: great Vibe Oysters- yes. Order them. Carpaccio- meh. It's all right Rockfish and grits : strange combo but it works I really enjoyed this place. You won't be disappointed read more

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I was skeptical about this restaurant at first because chain restaurants usually aren't my favorite. However, my partner and I dine at a lot of seafood/oyster restaurants and we both agreed that this is the best one in the Bay Area right now. I won't name drop but it's better than some of the newer ones in San Jose. For starters, the decor is nautically cute and welcoming. Our server was efficient and friendly. He apologized for the food coming out too slow but we felt it was paced really well for the amount of food we ordered. (I wish I had gotten his name but he's the one with hairy arms and a red tattoo on one of his forearms.) I digress, we shared a dozen oysters, 6 seal point and 6 miyagi, a steak tartare, octopus, grits with Parmesan, mussels & clams as well as the crudo. The portions are quite generous and everything we ordered was super fresh and delicious. If you're like me and very much enjoy oysters from Massachusetts or PEI then you need to give this place a visit. Or even if you like fresh seafood! Make sure to make a reservation a week in advance because this restaurant gets pretty busy! read more

Clark's Oyster Bar - steak tartare & crudo - Desserts Near Me - Menlo Park, California

2.5 STARS To the Baker at Clark's Oyster Bar: Not to sound creepy but... XOXO Because their housebaked sourdough bread is bomb! Crisp, slightly chewy crust with a pillowy soft, stretchy interior and nice tang. Slather the accompanying creamy whipped butter and sprinkle some flaky sea salt. UGH, so good for complimentary bread! Born in 2012 in Austin, Clark's Oyster Bar is inspired by the owner-chef's visit to SF's iconic Swan Oyster Depot. Owned by MML Hospitality, they currently have 5 locations with their newest in DT Menlo Park (opened last week). Indoor and patio seating available. M E N U SEEfood diet - Raw oysters, cold bar, caviar, crab cakes, lobster roll, catch of the day, burger, and desserts. All breads are baked in-house. Full bar. HH Specials: Monday - Friday, 3 pm - 5 pm - 50% off burgers and martinis - $5 oyster shooter - $.50 cents off oysters Lots of price discrepancies between their online menus vs in-person menus (higher prices for the latter). D R I N K S * Fernet Neat ($14) My stomach was doing somersaults, so I was happy to see this digestif on the menu. But, $14 is a high markup when a 750 ml bottle goes for $27.99 several blocks away. * Fountain Soda - Diet Coke ($4, no complimentary refills) F O O D * Complimentary Housebaked Sourdough w/ whipped butter, radish, flaky sea salt Bomb, most memorable part of our meal. * Raw Oysters: Pink Moon (1/2 dozen - $4.50 each): https://tinyurl.com/yc534yav And, this is what I came for! Pink Moons are hard to come by but Clark's had them. Maybe because it was a Sunday but they didn't seem at their peak freshness and could have been more chilled. It was ok, just lacked that pristine clean flavor. Served with cocktail sauce, mignonette, freshly grated horseradish, lemon, and saltine crackers. * Crudo Plate ($25): https://tinyurl.com/vkuz9axw An ode to the Sicilian sashimi at Swan Oyster Depot, the salmon, hamachi, and tuna were dressed with wasabi-lemon vinaigrette, capers and red onion. While the salmon and hamachi were fresh and buttery, the tuna wasn't up to par. Small portion, some of the pieces seemed to be one slice of sashimi cut into thirds. * New England Clam Chowder ($15): https://tinyurl.com/4jpkshkr Despite the mixed reviews at their other locations, we decided to try it any ways. Brothy consistency with fishy/seafoody flavor with potatoes and celery. We fished through the cup and there was barely one clam diced up. There's supposed to be bacon, but none was detected. $15 for essentially a cup of potato chowder is wild. * Lobster Roll, choice of fries or slaw ($42): https://tinyurl.com/586zvh8y The top-split toasted white bread was topped with fresh, large chunks of chilled lobster claw meat lightly dressed with mayo. The richness of the warm drawn butter enhanced the sweet, delicate flavor of the lobster. It was good but for $42, I was hoping for better lobster-to-roll ratio tho, as the bibb lettuce took up most of the volume of the roll. We choose the fries which were well-seasoned crunchy shoestring fries. S E R V I C E While brand new and most of the staff were polite, some of the things we experienced didn't seem like they were just kinks. We arrived 15 minutes early for our 4:30 pm rezzies and were promptly seated. It was pretty empty with lots of staff yet it took a while for someone to take our order. Food service was very slow for our table. I noticed customers who were seated 30+ minutes after us, received their food before we did (for similar items). When I flagged someone down to ask about our clam chowder + lobster roll, it appeared 2 minutes later. Clearly, our order was forgotten. We also had to flag down different staff several times for various things (i.e. bread, drink refills, etc.) while other tables seemed well attended to. We wanted to order more items but decided not to, asked for the bill, and hit up McD afterwards. A M B I A N C E Upscale, mod-retro with handsome bar and mix of tables + booths. Pleasant side patio, covered with heat lamps and a fireplace. P A R K I N G Plentiful street parking. Was surprised that the area was a ghost town on a Sunday. Overall, considering Clark's is the only oyster bar in the area, they're a welcome addition to MP. However, coming from SF where there's a lot of great oyster bars + seafood restos, it wasn't worth the trek. While the food was fine, IMHO, the [decent/good] quality and portions at Clark's didn't align with their high price points. read more

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My mom and I came here for lunch on Saturday and it was good! She had the BLT, I had the lobster roll, and we had the butterscotch pot de creme for dessert. All of the food was good, but I wouldn't come rushing back. I didn't really care for their fries since they were basically like thin, tiny chips. Everyone working there was great! It doesn't sound like many of them have tried much from the menu, so they weren't able to recommend anything they loved, but I'm sure as time goes on they'll be able to recommend more of the menu. Our dessert took a little while to come out (which we didn't even notice) and they ended up not charging us for it which was super nice! Just a note: my mom was looking forward to trying a tuna sandwich her friend had told her about here, but I guess on the weekends they only have a brunch menu and can't make certain menu items, so make sure to look online before if you're wanting to try a certain menu item. read more

Clark's Oyster Bar - Lobster roll and BLT - Desserts Near Me - Menlo Park, California

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Closer to a 3.5. Had wanted to try to place this place Austin and saw they opened a Menlo Park location. Good sourdough and butter but my seafood was overcooked. Solid burger but not personally a huge fan of thin fries. read more

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I've had brunch here a couple of times now and love when they bring a plate of fresh sourdough to the table. It's always warm, soft and delicious. The seafood is very fresh, with lots of great options. The crudo plate and oysters were great starters for our group, and the Clark's fries are tasty matchstick style potatoes. The lobster roll is delicious, especially with the house made split top roll. Special thanks to Steven for all the baked goods and desserts which are all worth saving room for. If you are looking for a good seafood restaurant, check out Clark's. read more

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The food, service and atmosphere was amazing. Nick was our server and was very fun and accommodating. We had our big fluffy Sheepadoodle and we got to eat outside on patio. He brought water for Bentley and gave us top notch service esp when we made specific requests for our Cioppino, which turned out to be amazing. read more

Clark's Oyster Bar absolutely nails it--it genuinely felt like being transported to a local seaside spot in Cape Cod, right in the middle of Menlo Park. They start you off with complimentary sourdough that has that perfect chew--warm, tangy, and impossible not to stop eating. The service is outstanding: super attentive, genuinely warm, and polished without ever feeling stiff. The shrimp cocktail was excellent--plump, fresh shrimp with surprisingly great crackers that didn't feel like an afterthought. The pan-fried salmon was cooked perfectly with a sauce that complemented it beautifully. The lobster roll was a standout: generous lobster, a soft buttery roll that didn't fall apart, thoughtfully lined with lettuce, and just clean, classic, done right. And the shoestring fries? A literal mountain--crispy, salty, and dangerously snackable. Refined but relaxed, coastal without being kitschy. Clark's gets the details right, and it shows. Easy 5 stars and absolutely worth a return. read more

Clark's is one of the best additions to Menlo Park in years. The management and servers are well-trained and consistently excellent, the layout indoors and out is thoughtfully done, and the tropical fish tank is a real feature. We order the same things often, and they hold up: the clams and mussels in a wonderful broth, the crab salad, the lobster sandwich, and the oysters, all terrific. The bread deserves its own mention -- served fresh and also toasted with the dishes where you want something to dip -- and the whole Branzino is reliably good. The food is a great product at a reasonable but high price point. Five stars, because the place really is terrific. My one quibble is structural, not culinary. They charge extra to split a salad and they charge extra to refill a lemonade, and they put the servers in the position of announcing it. The servers do it pleasantly and professionally, but it puts them in an awkward spot. They're the face of a policy that has nothing to do with the quality of their work, and it introduces a small note of friction into an otherwise warm and upbeat experience. I understand restaurants run on thin margins and I'm not the customer who complains about cost. I just think management would be better served absorbing these small charges themselves. The staff here is good enough to deserve better than being handed the job of nickel-and-diming people on lemonade. Take those two lines out of the server's script and the experience is very close to perfect. read more

We were looking for a place for a Sunday "brunch" and this place popped up on the radar. There was no waiting and we were immediately seated. It was our 1st time and we were treated like "rock stars". The service was attentive throughout the experience. The food was phenomenal. The hosts made great suggestions. Can't wait to return and try something different. Probably $$$ with regard to pricing but definitely worth it. The Sunday morning ambiance was perfect. read more

Tasty food (a bit pricey for the amount you'd get; would rather get cheaper oysters elsewhere), decent service (very very busy), and intimate ambiance. Looks like there's a lot of group dinners here and even a private room. Nice new addition to sleepy dtmp read more

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3.5 stars. The place is fun with modern bar & interior and service is good. It is too pricy for what the food is though. The bar is fun and staff was nice. Our waiter at the table was a bit off. Ceviche was way too spicy and neither of us could eat it. 28/$ its mention on the menu. Wasted our money. Crab cake was tasty but too expensive for the portion. Muscles were also really good. read more

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Visited twice, once for dinner in Nov 2025 and again for lunch in January. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with excellent service. The food is fresh and full of flavor. I especially loved the sourdough bread, perfectly paired with sides of butter, sea salt, and radish. The seafood was outstanding across the board - oysters, clams, mussels, octopus, ceviche each dish tasting remarkably fresh. The ivory seaside vibe is serene and calming, drawing me back for another visit. read more

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An early dinner (4P) for two on a recent Saturday afternoon. We had spent most of the day in the warm South Bay sun and we decided on seafood for dinner, somewhere new (to us) and Clark's proved the perfect spot. Friendly, attentive, professional staff, classic yet fresh decor, and delicious, well-executed food and drinks. There were other patrons dining in, some at the counter and a few tables inside and out. We were definitely in before the dinner rush. I always worry about fish being overcooked so we started with a crudo plate - plump morsels of fish, with sauce so good, we mopped the plate clean with the yummy sourdough bread. I was so happy my crispy rockfish was perfectly cooked. Eric enjoyed his lobster roll and he even let me take a bite. So good! The accompaniments - the coleslaw for the lobster roll and the polenta and sofrito for my rockfish - and of course the desserts, everything appeared to be prepared with care. Such lovely treat to dine here and I hope to return sooner than later! read more

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Our group so wanted to like this place. It looks like a warm, inviting seafood spot that's not overly formal, and the service was friendly throughout the meal. The food also looks beautiful. Unfortunately, not a single one of our dishes had much flavor. The clam chowder was bland with tasteless, sparse clams. The lobster roll presented beautifully, but the chilled and bland lobster made us wonder if it had been prepped the day before. The shoestring fries were salted, but nothing else was. The linguini with clams had a wonderful quantity of clams, but the pasta was mushy in a lackluster mushy tomato sauce. Hope the chefs consider more seasoning! Indoors was also quite noisy. If I return, which I probably won't, I'd sit on the outdoor patio. read more

I re-visited Clark's Oysters in Menlo Park and overall, it's a great place to dine. Great service, great drinks, great energy, great ambiance and the appetizers were absolutely on point. But it's loud. Like, really loud . Even with a full house, other spots like Town in San Carlos manage to maintain a better atmosphere where you can actually hold a conversation. And that's not the only place where Clark's falls short. The entrées need work, both the steak and the fish. At Town, the New York Strip and fish entrées are consistently excellent, flavorful, generously portioned, and come with two sides included for around $65. At Clark's, the strip didn't leave much of an impression in either size or taste, and sides are all à la carte. The fish dishes didn't fare much better, lacking the boldness and depth you'd expect from a seafood-focused restaurant. That said, Clark's still shines in many ways. The oysters, the shrimp cocktail, the drinks, and appetizers are outstanding. I'd come back, but for now, it's for the drinks and small plates at the bar, not the mains. read more

Clark's Oyster Bar - Desserts Near Me - Menlo Park, California

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Having gone to the original Clark's in Austin, I consider myself a fan. I saw that they opened recently in Menlo Park and decided to see if they were the same Clark's and, upon arrival, it was clear they were. They nailed the decor with an expansive bar seating area, plentiful tables, high ceiling and a memorable clear fish tank like the Austin location. They also have outdoor seating like the Austin location that is very popular. We were seated shortly after arrival for lunch and the restaurant was about 1/3 full having recently open and on a weekday. Our server took our order and the complimentary sour dough bread came. It's absolutely delicious and the simple radish, sea salt and butter are the perfect complement. Although I'm watching carbs, I soon found myself finishing the whole thing because it was that good but also because after ordering, the wait was longer than expected (~35 minutes). I'm guessing it's opening kinks as they'll have to speed up if it gets busier or to get the work crowd back in time for their 1 hour lunch. Our main order were the oysters and we went with the recommendation of all East Coast ones at $4.50, highlighted by Pink Moon and the St. Simon. The oyster shucker may have not been the fastest but the quality and flavor for our dozen oysters was excellent. This area doesn't have many oyster options anymore so Clark's already sets the bar. Next, we had the chowder and while it's a bit light on clams, I loved the serving temp (very hot), plentiful celery and bacon, and hearty bacon. Finally, we finished with both a lobster roll and a crab Louie salad. Both are pricey but were perfect for sharing and again temp was perfect (warm toasted lobster roll, cold lobster pieces, chilled lettuce for the salad). Overall, despite the minor wait, we had great service with servers checking in multiple times, offering water refills and busing our dishes that we had finished. Clark's is a seafood and oyster bar that the Peninsula really lacks and while the prices are higher, the quality is better; it's more polished and authentic than Restoration Hardware, the old Scott's Seafood, or nearby Cook's. Welcome to Menlo Park! It's been tough with establishments closing in downtown MP, but Clark's is a welcome addition. Clark's accepts reservations but walk-ins are accepted. Dining is available indoor and outdoor and all credit cards are accepted. read more

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So happy downtown Menlo keeps gaining new places to dine at! Took a friend out for a belated birthday lunch and felt like we transported to the east coast. I wanted to order a BUNCH but my lunch date's face when I suggested several courses for a random Wednesday lunch shamed me into being a normal person. I did convince her to get ONE app - the tuna carpaccio was delicious. She got the tuna salad sandwich and as a tuna salad sandwich connoisseur she approved! I got the shrimp toast and loved trying something unique. I ordered dessert to go because I love key lime. The packaging was really lovely for a to go dessert. read more

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For being a restaurant so unabashedly committed to seafood, Clark's punches above its weight class when it comes to vegetarian offerings. Even though it's buried under the raw bar and signature seafood sections of the menu, the vegetable selections are very worthwhile (even for omnivores!). Both the kale and cauliflower are thoughtfully composed dishes with a variety of flavors and textures, not just afterthoughts. Everything from hazelnuts and raisins to pine nuts and chiles make these dishes worth returning for. I mixed the two together to make a DIY salad, and after providing me with a larger plate for doing so, the server even brought over a delicious salsa verde as a dressing which made the combo soar. My only nits are that the cauliflower should really be roasted longer, as it was too crunchy, and that the price point is pretty high for vegetables, even if they're in line with the cost of the rest of the menu. Both dishes were better than "sides" but the price tag is still a deterrent from going as frequently as we'd like. Maybe they should put my mixture on the menu as a signature dish? Regardless, super nice people, great flavors, charming nautically themed interior. Will repeat. read more

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My wife and I had a lovely Saturday night dinner at the new Clark's Oyster Bar in Downtown Menlo Park, in the beautifully reimagined space once Anne's Coffee Shop. We were already fans of the team behind Proper Hotels, so we were excited to check out their latest venture--and Clark's did not disappoint. The ambiance is stunning, both inside and out. It's got that effortless elegance you'd expect from the Proper team--classy without being stuffy, and full of thoughtful design touches. The food? Outstanding. We started with two perfectly made martinis, six fresh oysters, and some incredible tuna sashimi. The bbq'ed kale was smoky and flavorful, and our mains were equally memorable--my wife's branzino was beautifully cooked, and my lobster roll (with the famous Clark's fries) was everything I'd hoped for. Every bite felt fresh, refined, and made with care. What truly set the experience apart, though, was the staff. Camalia, our waitress, and Caleb, the general manager, were both exceptional--warm, down-to-earth, and genuinely joyful. They took the time to get to know us, and by the end of the meal, it felt like we were catching up with old friends. That kind of hospitality is rare and deeply appreciated. We can't wait to return. Clark's isn't just a beautiful new restaurant--it's a new favorite. read more

Excellent seafood spot. Everything was presented so on point. Lobster roll, crudo and of course oysters were fabulous. The shrimp toast was interesting to try once. The side coleslaw and other veggies for the main were so refreshing. Nice outdoor patio. Definitely coming back read more

Awesome new spot in downtown Menlo Park. Really, really good oysters from both the west and east coasts; we loved all four varieties we tried today so including Black Magic, Pink Moon, Kusshi, and St. Simon. Lobster rolls and fries were as good as folks say from their Austin branch! The sourdough was a nice touch. Don't forget to save room for their desserts! read more

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Outstanding oysters on the half shell and excellent service. Will return. Oysters were fresh and perfect.

A fantastic new addition to the neighborhood! The food was outstanding -- fresh, high-quality seafood, and beautifully presented. I also really enjoyed the atmosphere; the decor and overall vibe make it a perfect spot for lunch. We did have to wait about 15 minutes for empty bar seats, which seemed to be due to limited staffing. But that's an issue many restaurants are facing post-pandemic, with so many skilled workers having left the industry. It's completely understandable, and certainly not a dealbreaker. I'll definitely be coming back! read more

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Came by for Sunday brunch. Easy parking around Menlo Park. Ambience was nice , tall ceilings, lots of natural light from windows and elegant bar. We tried the linguine with clams, crab louie salad, crab cake, and shrimp toast. Also tried the crudo to share. Shrimp toast was delicious, everything else seemed ok. The highlight was the free bread- absolutely amazing. Prices are on the higher side. $8 for small cup of orange juice seems high. Single crab cake was ~$35. Lowlight was the service- staff barely came by our table and had to ask 4 times for water before someone came, and even then strangely only filled our cups halfway. We were also surprised to see a separate line for "flood relief" in addition to gratuity and tax. I assume it was for the devastating floods in Texas, which is nice but with tax and tip and now an additional flood relief contribution, this Sunday brunch became quite expensive for the amount of food we got. read more

Clark's Oyster Bar - Desserts Near Me - Menlo Park, California

The hidden gem of all gems in the Bay Area!! this is a "sure thing for every single person who eats and enjoys fantastic, amazing food and an upbeat seaside vibe impeccable service, one of a kind a blend of old school with modern flair. I'm telling you this is my number one favorite new restaurant in the last 10 years! My highest recommendation and a shout out to our waiter, Steve. Favorite foods that kind of blew our minds, the macaroni and cheese with crab. The cocktails were absolutely to die for fantastic amazing. Classic perfect sourdough bread. Clam chowder perfect perfection... Sadly, we are not oyster lovers so we didn't even try those but I can almost guarantee. Literally I can guarantee with a 99% accuracy simply based on how phenomenal this restaurant is that if you like oysters, you absolutely have to eat them at this amazing epic magical establishment.. read more

the food and service are excellent. a serious noise problem almost spoils the experience so sit outside and ask for the music to be turned down. a nice addition to downtown menlo park. don't miss the shoestring potatoes - really! JTM read more