Photo by Nickoo.Dish of the Week: Grilled oysters
Where: Hank’s Oyster Bar, Pearl Dive Oyster Palace
You may have heard the old adage that oysters should only be eaten in months ending with the letter “r.” While the advancement of refrigeration and farming techniques mean that these tasty bivalves are edible all year, there is a grain of truth to the saying. Oysters are still best eaten in the cooler months—because of the flavor, not food safety. Oysters like to get their spawning on in the warmer months, making them squishier and watery.
Since we are well into October, it’s time to start knocking back those oysters while they’re at their peak. Oysters’ delicate, briny flavor makes them ideal eaten raw. However, the texture of raw oysters is, admittedly, not for everyone. Additionally, it’s nice to eat a warm meal as the weather starts to cool down, rather than slurping cold shellfish. Enter the grilled oyster.
Raw seafood fans may beg to differ, but oysters are plenty delicious when they’re cooked. One of my favorites is the Hog Island style barbequed oysters at Hank’s Oyster Bar. Half a dozen oysters are shucked and dressed with butter, herbs, Tabasco, and breadcrumbs before taking a spin under the broiler. The result is piquant and satisfying, but the meaty flavor of the oyster still shines through.
Likewise, Pearl Dive Oyster Palace sports an impressive selection of cooked oysters, including bacon-wrapped grilled oysters, dubbed “Angels on Horseback”. Unlike frying, grilling or broiling can keep that singular, slightly mineral oyster flavor from getting completely overpowered by the cooking process. If you’ve never tried them grilled, it’s a great way to bridge the seasons and still enjoy oysters at their peak.
Small Bites
A delicious beer monster
What’s a Snallygaster? You might know it as a mythical dragon said to live in the Blue Ridge Mountains. However, it’s also the name of Saturday’s celebration of obscure beers at Yards Park. The festival, which runs from 1-5 pm, features food and samplings from over 150 “inimitable tipples”, according to the website. Entrance is $5 and benefits Arcadia Food. Beer and food can be purchased using a ticket system. One ticket costs $1 and food and drink items are priced between 3-9 tickets.
The ghost of Bardo Rodeo rides again
According to WaPo, wacky brewpub Bardo Rodeo — known in later incarnations as the much-beloved Dr. Dremo’s — will be making a long overdue comeback in D.C. Owner Bill Stewart, Jr. has secured a vacant lot along Bladensburg Road NE and envisions a recreation of the former Arlington institution, with lots of outdoor seating, house-brewed suds, and microwave nachos.
Radius reopening
Young and Hungry has word that Mt. Pleasant pizza parlor, Radius, will be reopening under new ownership next week. The menu will hew pretty closely to the original restaurant, with a selection of pizzas, pastas, signature cocktails and week day happy hour from 5-7 pm.
