Mark your calendars, National Oyster Day is coming up on Saturday, August 5th! Celebrate the delicious delicacy of oysters by feasting at any of these San Diego restaurants, each offering classic oyster preparations as well as their own unique twist on the seafood. Transport yourself to a night of fine dining, and celebrate the opulent origins of oysters.
Credit: Andy Boyd
Ironside
Feast on an array of creamy, salty oysters and assorted seafood menu at Consortium Holding’s Ironside. Dive into platters from their famous Raw Bar with up to eight oyster varieties served with a balanced acidic-sweet mignonette or try their equally popular shrimp, rockfish, clams, and lobster. Though National Oyster Day lands on Saturday this year, Ironside also offers $1 oysters during their happy hour service, every Monday-Friday from 3-5 pm!
Fort Oak
Fort Oak in Mission Hills skillfully sources and shucks the shellfish, including Kumai oysters from Baja as well as a rotating selection of Chef Brad Wise’s select oysters offered by the dozen and half dozen.
Rare Society University Heights
At Rare Society go all out for National Oyster Day and take on the Seafood Tower that includes 18 oysters, 6 clams, 6 shrimp, ahi tartare, dungeness crab, half maine lobster, and salmon tartare served with mignonette, horseradish, hot sauce and lemon. If the craving for oysters continues after the holiday, Rare Society has a ‘secret’ bar-only special on Wednesdays – $1 oysters from 5-6pm.
Garibaldi
Garibaldi, located at InterContinental San Diego’s third floor rooftop in Downtown, provides gorgeous bayside views. The menu offers four fresh seafood dishes featuring oysters. Try the Pesce Freddo #1 for classic, shucked oysters alongside a calabrian chili cocktail sauce, or if you enjoy rich, buttery flavors, try the Oysters Arrostito, with six oysters confit, bone marrow, tuna tartar, chili oil, saffron, and lime.
Vistal
Vistal showcases “The Palate of The Pacific,” with locally sourced protein from California’s bountiful southwest coast blended with Baja’s bright flavors. The terrace restaurant, also located at InterContinental San Diego, includes plentiful mouthwatering oyster dishes. Simple, yet decadent, try the daily selection of fresh oysters paired with horseradish and onion mignonette, or opt for an opulent Seafood Tower featuring oysters, shrimp cocktail, bluefin tuna, ceviche, and shellfish salpicon salad.
Credit: Kimberly Motos
Herb & Sea
Experience Herb & Sea’s buzzing, eclectic interior that included a curved oyster bar. For bright, fresh oysters paired with house-made hot sauce and apple mignonette, try Oysters on the Half Shell. For an interactive, opulent experience, try the Roasted Oysters & Bone Marrow with pernod, kale, lemon, gruyere, and breadcrumb and mix and match salty, savory, and citrus flavors to create the perfect bite. What’s more, eating oysters at Herb & Sea helps protect the Agua Hedionda Lagoon! Herb & Sea has just begun an ongoing partnership with Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, each day collecting and donating oyster shells to create an oyster shell barrier that protects against erosion.
Valentina
A casual neighborhood European-style bistro and wine bar located in Leucadia along Hwy 101, Valentina serves fresh oysters daily, including varieties from British Columbia, Washington and Baja. The shareable oysters are simply served with olive oil, salt and lemon. Director of Operations and Sommelier Ricardo Zarate recommends ordering the OVUM’s “Rare Form: For Love Nor Money” Riesling to pair perfectly with the oysters.
Pali Wine Co.
Wine and dine at Pali Wine Co. in historic Little Italy. Try a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or dry Chardonnay alongside Kumai Oysters with rhubarb and pickled pomegranate mignonette for a light summer pairing while soaking in the sun on the rooftop deck or back patio.
