Portland’s Ludicrously Good Eventide Oyster Co. Is Expanding Here

As Boston’s burgeoning oyster scene continues to grow, there’s a bit of miraculous news for Fenway: Portland, Maine’s beloved Eventide Oyster Co. is expanding to Boston, opening at the Van Ness apartment building at 1321 Boylston St., reports Boston Magazine.

The highly acclaimed restaurant just snagged Hall of Fame status on Eater’s National 38, landing on restaurant editor Bill Addison’s list of the best restaurants in America three years in a row. “The oyster bar of everyone’s dreams also sneaks in surprises like dashi chowder and green curry lobster stew,” wrote Addison, who also found the beverage list to be “impressively thorough.” And that’s only the tip of the awards iceberg for Eventide, which has been accumulating glowing press, both locally and nationally, since opening a few years ago.

Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

Eventide’s menu offers plenty of raw bar options, from oysters on the half-shell to a variety of crudos. There’s also a burger, a fried chicken sandwich, a clambake, and other entrees — and of course, there’s the signature brown butter lobster roll, served on a bao-style bun.

The Boston expansion is in the “super early stages,” the Eventide team told Boston Magazine, so don’t start counting the days just yet, but when it opens, it’ll be a “casual, counter-service” spot. In the meantime, Eventide fans can snag some merch from the restaurant’s online shop, which includes “lil’ shucker” onesies for babies.

Rachel Leah Blumenthal for Eater

Update, 12/13/16: Big Tree Hospitality (Arlin Smith, Andrew Taylor, and Mike Wiley) provided a statement on the upcoming expansion:

“Big Tree Hospitality — owners of Hugo’s, Eventide Oyster Co., and The Honey Paw in Portland, Maine — is actively involved in securing space for a new restaurant concept at 1321 Boylston St. in Boston. The Boston property, “Eventide Fenway,” will join the group’s dynamic trio of Portland-based restaurants, offering a concise and creative seafood menu in a casual counter-service setting.”

• Eventide Oyster Co. Is Opening a Boston Location [BM]
• Eventide Oyster Co. [Official Site]