Where to Celebrate National Oyster Day
If you’re a sucker for food holidays, you might be interested to know that tomorrow (Tuesday) is National Oyster Day! Though, we don’t need a whole lot of incentive to get down with a dozen or so of the succulent, briny mollusks, and it looks like the rest of the world doesn’t either — nearly two million pounds are consumed every year. And while New York may not be the bustling fishing village it once upon a time was — with one of the world’s most abundant supplies of oysters grown right in our very own harbor — you can still find them in spades at many of our great restaurants and bars. So here’s where to get your slurp on during National Oyster Day — and beyond — from the dazzling under-the-sea sanctuary, Oceana, in Midtown, to the sizzlingly sexy dollar oyster mecca, Maison Premiere, in Williamsburg.
Maison Premiere
Once you’ve been to the $1 oyster happy hour at the seriously slinky absinthe den, Maison Premiere, you’ll never be able to go to another $1 oyster happy hour, ever again. Because instead of a chipped plate of Bluepoints or Wellfleets floating on melted ice, you’ll receive a seaweed-strewn tower of expertly shucked bivalves, selected from an unprecedentedly extensive list, such as Chesapeake Golds from Maryland, Effinghams from British Columbia, and Damariscottas from Maine. Of course, you’ll doubtless want to funnel all the money you’ve saved towards one of their frosty Juleps or fiery, green-tinged Absinthes, mixed with water pulled from the marble and brass fountain crowning the bar.
Read MoreLure Fishbar
Thank goodness the gossip about Lure Fishbar shuttering seems to have been hearsay. Owned by the talented team of John McDonald and Josh Capon (Burger & Barrel, El Toro Blanco), this stylish SoHo seafood spot has a St. Tropez-influenced vibe, and a sexy menu to match. There’s a sushi bar and a raw bar, advertising both East and West Coast oysters, such as the Kusshi (Japanese for precious) from British Columbia, boasting purple-black shells and an ultra-clean flavor, and New Brunswick’s Beau Soleil, which are sweet and mild with deep cups and firm meat.
Read MoreAquagrill
Still going strong after 17 years, this fine dining shellfish institution has bragging rights to an impressive array of oysters (26 or so, second only to Maison Premiere), from all throughout the U.S. Try the Raspberry Point from P.E.I, know for their distinctive sweet aftertaste, the gently saline, fluted-shelled Totem Inlet from Washington, and the smooth and smoky Malagash, hailing from Nova Scotia. Our favorite place to sit is the bar where you can watch the shuckers work their magic on some serious oysters.
Read MoreOceana
You’ll definitely want to try some of chef Ben Pollinger’s cooked, carefully plated creations at Oceana, but it’s hard to resist the siren call of raw, freshly shucked oysters. So before you move on to a silky Lobster Terrine and Roasted Branzino for Two served tableside, order a few of the deep-cupped, umami-rich Moonstones from Point Judith Pond, Rhode Island, or Washington’s own Olympic Miyagis, boasting a mild brininess and a crisp flavor.
Read MoreThe Mermaid Oyster Bar
A little sibling to the New England-styled seafood shack, The Mermaid Inn (which makes one of the city’s best lobster rolls), their raw bar features a sizable selection of oysters. Sure, you can stick with the familiar — such as meaty Naked Cowboys from Long Island Sound — but we prefer the more esoteric options, such as briny Barcats from Chesapeake Bay, or crisp and clean Matunucks from Pointers Pond, Road Island.
Read MoreWild Edibles
Originally opened in 1992 as a wholesale seafood distributor, Wild Edibles has since expanded into a tiny retail shop in SoHo, a sprawling, flagship market in Grand Central Station, and a shellfish bistro and oyster bar, located in Murray Hill. Changing daily due to season and availability, succulent half shell selections often include the mineral and refined Black Crescent, exclusive to Wild Edibles, Steamboats from Washington, which are earthy and crisp, and the Watch Hill from Rhode Island, with a buttery, robust flavor.
Read MoreUpstate Craft Beer & Oyster Bar
This East Village craft beer and oyster bar is a terrific, under-the-radar choice when you’re in search of top-notch bivalves. Delivered daily, a selection of over 12 East and West Coast oysters get shucked right before your eyes, and pair surprisingly well with an intriguing selection of local drafts, such as Radiant Pig Junior IPA, Southampton Biere de Mars and Beech Street Wheat.
Read MoreGreenpoint Fish and Lobster
You won’t doubt the freshness of the fish at this slim new establishment in Greenpoint; most of what’s sold in the market up front is transformed into delectable seafood dishes back. Nab one of the few stools along the marble counter, and lead off a meal of Fried Belly Clams or Lobster Rolls with a plate of Kumamotos, small, sweet and nutty specimens in a dramatically fringed shell, or a half dozen outsized, firm and lemony Pemaquids, served with cocktail sauce and mignonette.
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