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| Belinda Eaton, Girl with Oysters, from Belindaeaton.com |
Ply her with aphrodisiacs all night, and you've got it made, right? This week in
New Times, Robb Walsh dispenses pearls of wisdom on the world's favorite bivalve
here. And below, a plan to spend your V-Day shelling out:
Sage Bistro and Oyster Bar
2000 Harrison St,, Hollywood, 954-391-9466
This swank new raw bar and French bistro keeps at least four kinds of oysters on ice, all flown in daily. You might find Blue Point, Kumamoto, Fanny Bay, Island Creek, or Barron Point. They're pricey, though, at $28 a dozen. (See the full review
here.)
Shuck n' Dive Cajun Café
650 N. Federal Hwy., Ft. Lauderdale, 954-462-0088
It sounds just like what it is: a bayou oyster shack transplanted to Lauderdale. Order Louisiana Black Bay oysters freshly shucked, baked Rockefeller-style, fried, and stuffed into a poboy ($12.99), served with butter and blue cheese as "black and blues" or barbecued (all $8.99). Pair with a plate of fried green tomatoes.
Southport Raw Bar
1536 Cordova Rd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-525-2526
This
favorite waterside hangout serves six oysters Southport for $7.25 or
raw on the half shell for $9.75 a dozen, shucked to order. Mop up the
oyster liquor with a mini loaf of Bimini bread.
Spoto's Oyster Bar and Blue Point Lounge
4560 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, 561-776-9448
Freshly
shucked Cotuit, Wellfleet, Blue Point, Kumamoto, and Malpeque oysters
from Spoto's are practically a Palm Beach County rite of passage. Many
recall oyster-sodden afternoons at the recently closed downtown West
Palm Beach Spoto's as the ultimate half-shell experience. Luckily, the
new Palm Beach Gardens location has an open-air bar offering a daily
featured oyster, mix-and-match plates, plus shooters and a "Blue Point
martini" served with a side of vodka. Currently, they're $14 to $16 for
a half dozen.
Tark's of Dania
1317 S. Federal Hwy., Dania Beach, 954-925-8275
Locals
congregate at the counter of this hole in the wall for the best value
on fried and raw oysters, but don't expect white-tablecloth service.
Still, the singing, wisecracking chef is a hoot. The bill: $9.50 a
dozen.
Shuck Them Yourself:
Fish Peddler East
2805 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale,
954-491-1441
A dozen Bon Secour Louisiana oysters will cost you $9.95.
Cod and Capers
4128 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, 561-622-0994
Apalachicola
Florida oysters are $8 dozen, or buy a box of about 80 to 85 oysters
for $37. They also carry James River oysters from Delaware. Call for
availability.
Pop's Fish Market
131 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, 954-427-1331
Apalachicola Florida oysters are a steal at $5.99 a dozen.
Whole Foods
Various locations in Palm Beach and Broward counties.
Call ahead, because they carry fresh oysters only sporadically.