Haute Spots Boston: Mare Oyster Crudo and Seafood Bar

Changes have come to Boston’s North End and one of the biggest ones happened last night when Mare Oyster Bar opened its doors after moving from Richmond Street to its newly expanded space at 3 Mechanic Street. The recently re-branded restaurant, now known as Mare Oyster Crudo and Seafood Bar, now features a massive outdoor patio lounge for al fresco dining for up to 70 guests complete with fire pits, an expanded crudo bar, seating for 60, beautiful views of the Boston skyline and a retractable awning that comes to Boston by way of Florence, Italy.Photo Credit: Mare

The new Mare location brings us an expanded space and revitalized menu with a focus on sustainable seafood and a locally sourced oyster program. You can still find your favorites on the menu here, including free range chicken specialties, artisan pasta dishes and hormone-free beef, not to mention locally grown vegetables.

Located in the former Ida’s restaurant space, owner Frank DePasquale has transformed Mare into a sleek new design featuring white marble walls, floors and bars. As for the food, think crudo dishes, whole fish specialties, 18 different types of oysters, Alaskan king crab, ceviche and some surprise standouts like the specialty octopus salad and frutti di mare. You can still find the same staples like the hot or cold lobster roll served in a homemade brioche roll (from nearby Bricco Panetteria) that made Mare so famous for the past decade. Be sure to check out their revamped drink menu, which features an expanded beer list and a nice selection of organic wines.

Photo Credit: Mare

The restaurant is brought to us by DePasquale Ventures, which also owns North End favorites Bricco, Trattoria il Panino, Quattro, Gelateria and Bricco’s Salumeria and Pasta Shop. Mare Oyster Crudo and Seafood Bar opens tonight at 5 p.m. and is open for dinner nightly. Lunch is also served on the weekends. The former Mare space will be converted to Sfizi in the fall featuring Italian small plates and a wine bar.