After sending the first incarnation of The John Dory down to Davy Jones Locker in the West Village last year, dynamic dining duo Ken Friedman and April Bloomfield (The Spotted Pig, The Breslin) vowed to resurface in due time. That time arrived on Friday, when The John Dory Oyster Bar opened for lunch at The Ace Hotel. The Son of John Dory is a more modest venture than the original, and aims to "recreate the lively feel of turn-of-the-century oyster bars" with a commitment to sustainable seafood.

The price point is smaller, too; the menu of small and shareable seafood dishes is all under $25. Cocktails are from Sasha Petraske of Milk & Honey, and there's counter seating in the sunny corner spot. Bar snacks and raw bar options include delicacies like anchovy and parsley pesto on toast, pickled oysters, and crudos including hamachi with ginger. Or perhaps you'll be more interested in an oyster pan roast prepared with a custom steam kettle? The star of the wine and beer menu is Brooklyn's Sixpoint Craft Ales, which is brewing an oyster stout especially for the restaurant! And in the downstairs kitchen, a 12-seat chef's table provides front-row seats for watching Bloomfield in action. (E-mail chefs.table@thejohndory.com for details on that.)

Like The Breslin, there are no reservations accepted, unless you're a guest at the hotel. (Over half hour waits are already being reported for lunch.) There is a limited dinner menu offered this week (seen here), but do note that they'll be closed this Sunday. The hours are currently noon to midnight, with plans to stay open until 2 a.m. as they settle in.

The John Dory Oyster Bar at the Ace Hotel // 1196 Broadway (at 29th Street) // (212) 792-9000