Grand Central Oyster Bar: Still Hip at 100

Last night, the 11th annual Oyster Frenzy at NYC's famed Grand Central Oyster Bar wrapped up an epic week of oyster events in New York City. Making this year's event even more special: Grand Central Oyster Bar turned 100 years old. In an industry measured in dog years and in a city obsessed with the next trendy restaurant, 100 years serving up oysters is simply impressive.

I had the good fortune to visit Grand Central Oyster Bar this summer - wowsa! It's magnificent and quaint; timeless and trendy; luxurious and laidback.  And perhaps I'm stating the obvious, but it's really in Grand Central Station.  It features a popular sit-down restaurant (reservations highly recommended), an open-air oyster bar, and coffee shop seating - all under one roof.  I'm such an oyster dork, but I was so excited to be there that, to be honest, I didn't pay much attention to anything on the menu except the oysters.  Really, I have no idea what they serve otherwise.  Here's a link to their daily menu in case you are interested.


On the day I visited, there were 26 varieties of oysters.  I chose three:

• Moonstone
• Martha's Vineyard
• Kiwi Cups

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Moonstone (Naraganssett, Rhode Island)

I have been taken to the mountain top. Bitingly salty. Fresh finish. Tender texture. Perfect. I'm blinded by love. Anytime I see these on the menu, I will order them. I will eat them in a box, with a fox, in a house, with a mouse. I will eat them anywhere.

Doubly good: Eating a Moonstone at Grand Central Station is one of 25 oyster experiences on my oyster bucket list. Smiling as I check it off.

Moonstone (Rhode Island)

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Martha's Vineyard (Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts)

Like its namesake, Martha's Vineyard oysters are a perfect preppy oyster.  Their shells are super cute. Inside, the meat is sassy salty. Tight flesh. Bright, cucumber finish. Big thumbs up.

Martha's Vineyard (Massachusetts)

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Kiwi Cups (New Zealand)

Ummm. Kiwi Cups. You know that dual-flavored gum that starts off as mint and then turns into pineapple-mango? That's kind of like Kiwi Cups.  They are confusing, and not in a good way. They start with a strong, salty burst of flavor, then they finish with a loud, metallic bite. As always, I'm glad to have had the opportunity. Thankfully, for the sake of the oyster, Kiwi Cups have a huge international fan base.

Kiwi Cup (New Zealand)

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Happy 100th

Happy Birthday Grand Central Oyster Bar. Let's hope that the work being done to save our oysters ensures that the restaurant and our bi-valves will be around for another 100 years. Let's also hope that recent renewed interest into using oysters to create natural barriers to prevent flooding continues on its current track. And if you have a few minutes this week, check out the incredible work pioneered by landscape architect and Columbia University professor, Kate Orff. She has encouraged 'oyster-tecture' as an option to clean up New York Harbor, connecting our natural environment to our urban environment. More oysters - whether meant for eating or cleaning or preventing flooding - means we're on the slow climb back to rebuilding our oyster beds on the East Coast.

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Grand Central Oyster Bar

Grand Central Station, Lower Level

89 East 42nd Street

New York, NY

212.490.6650

www.oysterbarny.com

There's an Oyster App for That

It's been a long week adjusting to Apple's new iOS7 operating system. I'm a clicker, not a swiper. Hopefully, if you're an iPhone user, it's been a better adjustment for you. Whether you're clicking or sliding or just fidgeting, think about downloading an oyster app or two. Here's a few of my favs:

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Oysterguru

Think of this app as the Joy of Cooking for oyster apps - it's not pretty but it is timeless and on point. A virtual encyclopedia, Oysterguru lists more than 350 oysters (none from North Carolina, just saying) alphabetically, by region or by salinity.  For each oyster, the app lists where the oyster is grown, when it's harvested, its salinity and a brief flavor profile. The app also includes links to an abbreviated list of oyster restaurants in some major U.S. cities and gives you the opportunity to buy oysters from a distributor or two.  Oyster Stew reached out to its creator, Greg Cohen, to find out why he created the app. 

"Back in 2010 when I looked for an oyster app out there, there was nothing in the market," he says.  So he decided to create one. (Yea for us!)

Two downsides to the app: no pictures and no updates.  Cohen says it's just too expensive. It's a good list though and should get you through most restaurant menus.  Maybe if we say 'pretty please' and promote his Coffeeguru app, Cohen will think about giving it an update.

Available on iTunes for iPhone, iPad and iTouch. Cost: $.99. Totally worth the buck.

Oysterguru app lists 350+ oysters.
Users can keep personal notes for each oyster and post to Facebook.

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Oysterpedia

Developed by the folks at The Mermaid Inn in NYC, Oysterpedia is another of my favorite apps. The depth of oyster varieties is not as good as Oysterguru (again, no love for North Carolina oysters), but it's a solid list. This is my go-to app for one simple reason - it has pictures. When I order oysters I'm not familiar with, the first thing I do is double check the oysters on my plate with the oysters in the picture. Each time I eat an oyster, I rate it and the app saves it for next time. Now I have easy access to my list of my favs. Northeast oysters are heavily represented. 

Available on iTunes for iPhone, iPad and iTouch. Cost: FREE.  Also available on Google Play for Android phones. Cost: $1.99.

Each oyster in the Oysterpedia database includes
pictures and flavor profiles.

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Oyster Bars

Ever been in a new town and start craving a half dozen oysters?  This app helps - sometimes. The app currently includes 653 oyster bars, but not all are still in business. When I did a quick search of Wilmington, NC, four restaurants popped up: two of the four restaurants have been out of business for at least two years. That said, I know it's not easy to keep track of restaurants across the country that frequently open and close, and updating apps can be difficult depending on the platform they are built on.  It's a great place to start if you're visiting a new city and want a few ideas. Just make sure to call first.

Available on iTunes for iPhone and iTouch. Cost: FREE

The search tool lets you search oyster bars by a particular city
or use the interactive map.

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SHUCKit

Chef David Buchanan (Chef's Resources) corroborated on this relatively new app that organizes oysters both by state and alphabetically.  (Sigh. North Carolina oysters were shafted again.) Many of the oyster listings include a picture; Buchanan says he's taken virtually all of the pics himself. The database of oyster varieties is interesting and includes some varieties that are new to me.  While Oysterpedia leans toward Northeast oysters, SHUCKit leans toward the West Coast.

In addition to listing oysters and where they come from, the app provides the oyster's market size, the cultivation method, the salinity, and the flavor notes. SHUCKit definitely has huge potential and I hope they continue to build out the content.

Available on iTunes for iPhone, iPad and iTouch and on Google Play for Android phones.
Cost: FREE for lite version; $1.99 for paid version.  (The paid version does not have advertisements.)

On SHUCKit, you can look up oysters
by state or alphabetically to find pictures and descriptions.

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Related only in name, the Oyster app released earlier this month is making tech heads giddier than a 10-year-old at a Bieber concert.  Oyster promises to be the Netflix of books and everyone who has a blog is talking about it. Like us. Check it out. Membership is $9.95 a month and is by invitation only. Sign up for an invite at www.oysterbooks.com.

Have a great week everyone. I hope you find some time to put down your phone and enjoy a few oysters on the half shell with good friends.  If you're in New York, don't forget to stop by an event or two at New York Oyster Week. 

2013 New York Oyster Week

As goes the oyster, so goes humanity. 

That's the mantra for New York Oyster Week.  Well then, I guess that's how they do it in New York.  With a sky high mantra in an oyster rich city, New York Oyster Week is the hottest thing happening this month.  Now in its second year, Oyster Week was created by Kevin Joseph, the oyster ambassador, who is doing his part to elevate the oyster to its rightful place.  How did he get the idea?

Kevin Joseph, creator of New York Oyster Week

"I didn't want to get a real job," said Joseph, who now has a real job with Blue Island Oyster Co.  "I floated the idea of Oyster Week to a few friends," Joseph said. "Some said that's a great idea. Some said I want to work on it with you. So we pulled it together." Thank goodness for humanity.

What exactly is Oyster Week?

"It's a food festival that goes on for a week, instead of one day," said Joseph.

The event kicks off with with the Stone Street Oyster Festival and ends with Oyster Frenzy.  In between, there are socials and tastings and pairings and even a secret event.  There is at least one oyster event scheduled each day from Sat., Sept. 21 - Sat. Sept. 28, with a bonus event bookending the start and end dates.  Among the events is Merrior et Terrior oyster and wine pairing, led by Joseph himself.

In addition, restaurants throughout the city pay for the privilege to participate in Oyster Week by offering a special oyster dish to its customers.  This year, Joseph expects up to 30 restaurants to participate, up from 11 last year.

Here's the run down of events and ticket information.  Enjoy!

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NEW YORK OYSTER WEEK: SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Fri. Sept. 20: London Lennies Oyster Evening
Part of London Lennie's OysterFest, join the winners of the daily slurping contests for the Slurp-Off All Star Championship.  Event runs from 6-10p.
London Lennies
63-88 Woodhaven Blvd.
Rego Park, NY
718.894.8084

Sat. Sept 21: Stone Street Oyster Festival
NYC's largest oyster festival, now in its 10th year.  Doors open at 12p.  Live music starts at 3p.  This year, the event is trying to break the Guinness Book of World Records for The Most Oyster Shells Recovered from a Single Day Oyster Event.
Ulysses' Restaurant
58 Stone St.
212.482.0400

Sun. Sept. 22: Aureole's Oyster Social
It's the second annual event for the Oyster Social, which benefits Citymeals-on-Wheels.  Tickets are $85. VIP tix are $115.  Starts at 1p.
Aureole
135 W. 42nd St.
212.319.1660

Sun. Sept. 22: Merrior et Terrior
Oyster & wine pairing event with Oyster Week's own Kevin Joseph, who will provide oyster tidbits and tales throughout the tastings.  Three East Coast oysters, three West Coast oysters and wine to go with each. Includes multi-course dinner. Tickets are $75.
City Crab
235 Park Ave. South
212.529.3800

Mon. Sept. 23 - Tues. Sept. 24: Shuckeasy
House Play NYC
Address: Unknown
This swank event is for the most adventurous ostreophiles, or just fun people who want a totally new experience.  Enjoy all 5 oyster species consumed in the U.S.: Pacific Oysters, Atlantic Oysters, Olympias, European Flats, and Kumamoto's.  The event is so exclusive, you'll have to wait until the day of to find out where it is.  Starts @ 7p.

Wed. Sept. 25: Empire Oyster
A tribute to New York oysters, beer and wine.  Look out for Blue Point Brewing's new craft beer, Oyster Stout, made with sea salt and oysters.  Tickets are $68.
Hudson Terrace
621 W. 46th St.
212.315.9400

Thurs. Sept. 26: Pearls of New York Real Estate
Cruise around Manhattan on a luxurious yacht while learning about the culture, history and economy of the oyster in NYC.  Includes oyster, full bar and champagne.  Shuttle/ferry service available from Manhattan.
The Pearl Luxury Residences
Edgewater, NJ

Fri. Sept. 27 - Sat. Sept. 28: Oystoberfest
All-you-can-eat oysters and beer samples. 25 oysters and dozens of cask, pumpkin and Octoberfest beers.  Three sessions: Fri. 7-10p, Sat. 12-3p, Sat. 5-8p.  Tickets are $65.  Buy online @ http://bit.ly/oystfest.
Alewife
5-14 51st Ave.
Long Island City, NY

Sat. Sept. 28: Oyster Volunteer Day
Join the high school students at New York Harbor School from 10a-5p to help them build, clean and set up the gear needed for the Billion Oyster Project.  The goal is to have 1 BILLION oysters living in New York Harbor by 2025.
New York Harbor School
Governors Island
917.406.5000

Sat. Sept. 28: Oyster Frenzy
The grand finale of Oyster Week.  The 11th annual event (presented by Blue Island Oyster Co.) once again features a professional oyster shucking contest.  A slurper, not a shucker?  You can compete to see who slurps 12 oysters in the fastest time.
Grand Central Oyster Bar
Lower Level
Grand Central Terminal
212.490.6650

Sun. Sept. 29: Local Oyster Showcase
Featuring Long Island oysters, local chefs and sparkling wine.  Buy tickets.
Sparkling Point Winery
39750 County Road 48
Southold Long Island
631.765.0200

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And don't forget the Red Bank Guiness Oyster Festival on the New Jersey city.  It's not officially part of oyster week, but it's so close we had to mention it:

Sun. Sept. 22: Red Bank Guiness Oyster Festival
Not really in NYC, but who cares.  This street festival features bands, family friendly activities and lots of fresh oysters.  Scheduled from 12-7p.
Downtown Red Bank, NJ
(Behind the Dublin House)
732.829.1104

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Thanks Custom Ink

About that mantra ... don't you think it would be great on a t-shirt?

Have fun New York!

The Ultimate Oyster Tour of New York City: Nine Oyster Bars in Two Days

Oysters have their groove back!  And nowhere is the oyster as hot as in New York City.  Oyster bars are popping up in every trendy neighborhood.  Oyster supper clubs have more members than seats at the table.  And, later this month, the ostreophiles of NYC are upping the average oyster shindig to include a whole week of oyster festivals, dinners, boat tours, and city-wide oyster specials at the second annual New York Oyster Week.

I headed north last month to see what all the fuss is about. NYC is a big place and I had a long list of oyster bars on the must-see list. I narrowed it down to nine great classics or soon-to-be classics:

BEST OYSTER BARS IN NEW YORK CITY

Grand Central Oyster Bar (89 E 42nd St.)

Aquagrill (210 Spring St.)

Fish (280 Bleeker St.)

Marlow & Sons (81 Broadway, Brooklyn)

Maison Premiere (298 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn)

Pearl Oyster Bar (18 Cornelia St.)

The Mermaid Inn (East Village) (96 Second Ave.)

The John Dory Oyster Bar (1196 Broadway)

Upstate (95 First Ave.)

I went old-school and plotted each one on a huge map.  AAA members can grab one for free.

There were distractions (Century 21) along the way and I didn't plan well for late openings and happy hours. Alas, Mermaid Inn, John Dory and Upstate will have to wait until the next trip. The good news is that I now have a doable, mostly walkable, schedule if you want to hit nine of the best oyster bars in NYC in two days.  Also included: some killer happy hours in the schedule. Enjoy!

OYSTER TOUR OF NYC IN TWO DAYS

DAY ONE

12:00p Aquagrill 
Start with light lunch.  Walk 1/2 mile (about 10 min.) to Pearl Street.
2:00p Pearl Street 
Closes for lunch at 2:30p, so don't be late.  Grab a half dozen oysters at the bar.  Walk one quick block to Fish.
2:30p Fish 
Enjoy the Red, White and Blue special (6 oysters and a beer for $8).  Walk one mile (about 20 min.) to Upstate. It's a nice walk to the East Village through Washington Square.  You can pick up a couple of t-shirts and trinkets on St. Mark's Place on 8th Ave.  Upstate opens at 5p.
5:00p Upstate  
Grab a craft beer.  Walk 2 min. to The Mermaid Inn.
6:00p The Mermaid Inn
Happy Hour ends at 7p.


DAY TWO
11:30a Grand Central Oyster Bar
Walk one mile (about 20 min.) to John Dory.
1:30p John Dory
John Dory isn't far from Macy's or the Empire State Building if you want to squeeze in a little sightseeing.  You can take the L train to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, or hop in a cab to Maison Premiere.
4:00p Maison Premiere
Happy hour starts at 4p and is super popular.  You gotta get there when it opens to get a seat.  With $1 oysters, you will be here awhile.  It's less than 1/2 mile (about 8 min.) to Marlow & Sons. I would recommend a cab, especially if it's dark.
6:00p Marlow & Sons
Look for Dove Cove's on the menu, or ask the well-trained bartender for recommendations.

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OYSTER BUCKET LIST

Last season, I posted my bucket list of the top 25 oyster experiences and was hoping to check off three during the trip:

• Stop by Marlow & Sons restaurant in Brooklyn when Dodge Coves are in season.
• Enjoy a dozen oysters at Pearl Oyster Bar in Greenwich Village.  
• Eat until I'm stuffed at Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant in NYC.  Plan visit when Rhode Island Moonstones are on the menu.

Can I cross them off?

• Stopped by Marlow & Sons.  Dodge Coves were not on the list.  Can't wait to go back.  
• Ordered a half dozen Malpeques at Pearl Oyster Bar. That was enough. Check.
• Ate a Moonstone oyster at Grand Central Oyster Bar. Heaven. 

Adding one.  No. 26:

• While-away happy hour with absinthe and $1 oysters at Maison Premiere.

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Visit Oyster Stew in the coming weeks for reviews of the restaurants on the tour as well as the oysters. I found a few oysters that have become lifelong friends, and a few I don't really want to run into again. Next week, I'll give you the what's what on New York Oyster Week.

Oyster Stew Season is now open!

Welcome back to Season 2 of Oyster Stew.  I've been busy eating, learning, trying, scooping, traveling, and working hard to bring you fun, interesting stories about oysters.  This season, I freshened up the blog site with a new look.  I also added a calendar of upcoming oyster festivals and, coming soon, an easy directory of oysters I've reviewed.

Here's a sneak peak of the upcoming season:

• A two-day, nine-stop oyster tour of New York City.  I'm not going to lie, I probably ate one too many oysters.  I also found my favorite oyster of all time.    
• A superfood?  I think you'll be surprised just how good our favorite bivalves are for your health.  
• Oysters under investigation.  How do you know the oyster on your plate is the oyster you ordered?  I have some simple tricks to make sure you're eating what you think you are.
• Honest, down-to-earth reviews of oysters.  If this is the beginning of your oyster journey, I try to make oysters easy.  I truly want you to love them as much as I as do.  If this ain't your first oyster rodeo, I hope I've found a couple of new oysters for you.  I always say that I've never met an oyster I didn't like; but there are a few I don't care to see again.  
• The latest in oyster conservation and preservation. I love to eat 'em, but I worry about the long term prognosis for oysters.  Without them cleaning the water, protecting us from storm surges and balancing the ecosystem - we're screwed.  

Oyster lovers, oyster lurkers and anyone else who spends time with us at Oyster Stew - thank you. Starting Sunday, I'll be here every week with original content. Be sure to sign up for email updates and feel free to talk back. I want to hear from you!

Cheers, oyster lovers!

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Seamus Heaney  (1939 - 2013)

I want to pay tribute to the brilliant Irish poet, Seamus Heaney. I wrote about him at the end of Season 1.  Heaney is the Nobel Prize winning author of Oysters, my favorite poem.  Moran's Cottage, where Heaney ate the oysters that inspired the poem, is on my bucket list of Top 25 Oyster Experiences.  Heaney died Sat., Aug. 31 at the age of 74.


From Oysters:
Alive and violated
They lay on their beds of ice:
Bivalves: the split bulb
And philandering sigh of ocean.