Every oyster lover begins as a neophyte – or a spat, as baby oysters are called. Perhaps you find yourself at an oyster-centric work party. Or maybe you have a friend with a thing for bivalves. More likely, you’re on a Tinder date. Yes, Tinder oyster dates are a thing. Take it from Gary McCready, shucker at Philadelphia’s Sansom Street Oyster House and shucker about town for Garces Catering. “Tinder dates galore. Hello! I’ve been so many people’s cupid,” he […]

Categories: food & drink, on the water

Salty or sweet, every oyster evokes the waters in which it was raised. That makes hitting the oyster trail a fascinating and delicious experience. Each region has its very own gems, and with new oysters coming to market on the regular, the selection is ever-changing. Here, we zero in on the Mid-Atlantic region, where oyster bars from D.C. to Jersey celebrate local waters. Read more… Published 1/7/20

Categories: food & drink, on the water

When day dips toward dusk, Ventnor’s skies become a study in pastel, pinks giving way to violets. Driving down the main drag, it’s the ideal time to admire the deep salmon-hued exterior of Water Dog Smoked Fish, which opened its permanent digs here this fall after several successful years on the farmers’ market circuit. This is very much a win for the local dining community. Though the set-up is modern casual, anchored by deli cases and a creative menu of […]

Categories: food & drink, on the water

AS THE AIR SHIMMERS AND THE HOLIDAYS NEAR, we gather with chosen or inherited families and feast. So, too, do the oysters. This time of year, bivalves load up on glycogen and amino acids, preparing for a long, foodless journey into spring. They binge on algae and plankton, their meats turning bright, plump and sweet. “The flavor is a little bit crisper than it might be in the summertime, when they’re coming out from a reproductive cycle,” oyster farmer Lisa […]

Categories: food & drink, on the water