Hank's Oyster Bar Photos

Lobster Roll

Smoked Trout Hash

Chilled Marinated Beets

Lemon Yogurt Pana Cotta

Hank's Oyster Bar

Hank’s Oyster Bar

1026 King St

Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 739-4265

www.hanksoysterbar.com

Hank’s Oyster Bar is a family owned restaurant with three locations: Capital Hill Washington DC, Dupont Circle Washington DC and Old Town Alexandria, VA.  Surprisingly Hank’s Oyster Bar specializes in oysters..On second thoughts maybe it’s not that much of a surprise after all, with the name and all..oyster bar.  Ok I digress.  Each day Hank’s offers fresh oysters from all over the country.  Whether your preference is east or west coast oysters, Hank’s has you covered.  They conveniently post the daily oyster catch on chalk boards listing the oyster’s birthplace.  They also list their daily specials which does change between lunch and dinner.  All of their food was fresh and delicious. 

The Alexandria location is small and quaint.  The restaurant is inside of an old cobalt blue row home in the heart of Old Town.  The blue color carries on once you have entered the establishment.  The walls are white washed and fresh looking, while blue candle holders adorn the walls.  There are sea-themed paintings scattered through the restaurant.  Simple yet comfortable wooden benches and tables are located throughout the various sections of the restaurant. 

The service at Hank’s was wonderful.  Our waiter was the perfect combination of friendly, funny and informative.  He was able to answer all our questions and really had a good feel for what each oyster tastes like.  His knowledge did not stop with just the oysters; he did a good job helping us navigate the rest of the menu as well.  The oyster bar does not have valet parking so you will have to fight the crowds a bit to find street parking.  Street parking in Old Town Alexandria is paid parking if you park on King Street.  However there is some free parking if you venture off of King Street.  Hank’s is a great spot for lunch, brunch or dinner.  It would be great for hanging with friends or for a quick bite.  Price-wise Hank’s is rather affordable, for a full oyster sampler and entrée we paid about $20 each.  Overall we give Hank’s Oyster Bar ♪♪♪ and a half note.

Pickering Pass Oyster

This little guy had a subtle sweetness to it.  There was an earthy/grassy hint to it and it sported a cucumber melon finish.  This oyster even had the nerve to have a little kick to it. 

Otter Cove

This oyster had a very complex flavor profile.  It was a bit smoky with a kale undertone.  You could taste the briny deep sea flavors strongly in this oyster. 

Goose Point

Of all the oysters he was our least favorite.  He had brightness to his flavor and was slightly sweet.  However his flavor profile was the least complex.  He was a boring little oyster.  Poor guy.

Tar Bay

Have you ever had an oyster that tastes like chicken?  Well this little puppy sure did.  I know it sounds weird but he really did have a chicken overtone to his flavor profile.  His taste was subtle and light but once the chicken flavor finished a nice fishiness appeared. 

New Point Comfort

The new point was super sweet!   The sweetness overwhelmed all the other flavors.  If you like sweeter flavored oysters east coast oysters are for you. 

Battle Creek

We see why they call it Battle Creek, cus there was a war going on with this oyster.  There was a sweet and salty battle being waged.  This oyster had both going on at the same time, on top of all that there was a wonderful savory element.  It was a flavor akin to onion in this oyster.  It was very intriguing. 

Lobster Roll

I had never heard of a Lobster Roll until this day.  Angela had and she schooled me on this most delicious phenomena.  Imagine a super soft buttery brioche roll stuffed to capacity with perfectly cooked lobster meat salad.  This thing was amazing!  So yummy and fresh.  The Old Bay fries that came with the dish were lackluster.  They were hard, cold and not good.  I think they tried to hard with these fries.  Just keep it simple folks. 

Smoked Trout Hash

Ok…the chef took cubes of smoked trout and white potatoes and drenched them in a very light and delicious cream sauce.  We will admit we were not expecting the cream sauce.  It honestly scared us at first.  We knew it was going to be too heavy, rich and over whelming.  Well… let us tell you we could not have been more wrong.  That hash was amazing.  The cream sauce was light and delicious.  It actually complimented the dish wonderfully.  The dill in this dish was a perfect compliment and greatly enhanced the flavors.  The grilled sourdough bread that came with the dish was both grilled to perfection and delicious. 

Chilled Marinated Beets

They were a combination of sweet and sour.  The pickling was not overwhelming.  They were very delightful beets. 

Lemon Yogurt Pana Cotta

This desert was perfection.  It was slightly tart because of the yogurt and had a lovely subtle crunch because of the vanilla beans.  It was creamy, sweet and light.  This was one of our favorite Pana Cottas.