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!