Bustling LES wine bar with lively happy hour and tapas; great vibe and wine, but inconsistent oysters and uneven service—come for drinks and select small plates, not a seafood splurge.
The Ten Bells delivers lively ambiance and strong happy hour value, but safety concerns with oysters—including temperature issues, grit, and contamination reports—combined with unreliable food and service consistency prevent a higher grade. Recent quality deterioration in oyster execution and service attentiveness further undermines confidence in core offerings, making this a risky choice despite its charm.
One caveat: Oyster quality is inconsistent—reports of tiny, warm, or gritty shells