Here at The John Dory, to sleep with the fishes is a welcomed activity. And while you’re at it, shack it up with a bevy of other nautical creatures as well, like oysters, lobster and shrimp. Named after the rather unsightly John Dory fish, the restaurant is anything but ugly. Green and blue tufted bar stools compete with the black and while tiled walls, while peppered in between all this sumptuous décor are swanky ladies and gents fresh off of work, sipping upon their bowls of chowder as vigorously as sipping upon their cocktails.

And speaking of which, drop by The John Dory during happy hour to sling back a variety of half-off drinks like splashes of Riesling and Lime Rickey and a $5 dollar oyster shooter if you dare to be extra decadent (you’ll adore the diminutive glass and the extreme briny flavor). Towers of East and West Coast oysters are only $2 a pop. Myself and a bunch of ladies from work downed everything from a Malpeque to a Sister Point.

The raw bar seems to be the darling of this lavish restaurant, but one must dive in – literally – into the inventive and unique seafood dishes. Start off with rotund smoked haddock fritters, their salty profile paired flawlessly with a curried mayonnaise. Despite their Plain Jane look, we loved the fish crackers served with a smattering of roe. If you harbor a salty inclination, this snack will be your thing. Believe it or not, Basmati rice is featured here, specifically piled on high with pieces of smoked haddock; it very much reminded me of salted fish fried rice common among East Asian and Southeast Asian menus. We all clamored for the flaky chunk of Spanish mackerel sitting atop puffy black rice and a medley of vegetables. An odd addition to this spread, but something one not ought to miss, are the Parker House rolls, golden, incorrigible mounds of carbs you’re willing to sacrifice a Bo Derek bathing suit figure for.