A younger venue, Mar’s has been undergoing staff changes. That puts it in one of those wait and see states. With Patrick Benison taking over the bar program, what you’ll be seeing are improvements. “There’s going to be a lot more variety in the cocktails,” Ross-Johnson predicts. “I’m excited.” Mar’s, Ross-Johnson says, “is known for their oysters…mostly East Coast, but some West Coast oysters. Their mussels are really flavorful. It’s a little on the expensive side for Astoria, but it’s a more elevated food experience.” With high-quality plates and Benison’s cocktails, nobody is going to complain about a relative bump in local price.

3/7

Photo via Mar's