Friends of ours who are pescatarian asked us to go out for dinner and we planned way ahead and decided we had to try OYSTER, OYSTER as its tasting menu which apparently sells out way in advance was getting huge raves. In 2023 they also garnered their first Michelin star and the James Beard Award for outstanding chef! When the reservations finally opened up (it was not easy to determine how many days ahead this would happen as it is not always 30 days!) I grabbed 4 seats and was promptly instructed that the entire amount for dinner with tax and tip must be prepaid. (that's $135+20%=tax each). they have a 48 hour cancel period but paying in full up front does irk me a tad. I am fine with a deposit, and then of course, we had to get our friends to reimburse us!
We anxiously awaited the day and arrived at our 6pm time and loved the adorable small setting with super comfy (and very supportive for your back) gray leather booths and tables on two small levels facing the small open kitchen where the staff was hard at work.Our super adorable server, Andy, came over to explain and confirm our allergies/dislikes. This was odd as just two days prior I got a text asking for this information as well and supplied it instantly. I am sorry to say that it must have not been retained and even then, the mail seemed to have some dishes that we really were not crazy about the flavors or had some food issues with (licorice, lots of fennel and some sesame seeds in particular).
A small cup of cantaloupe broth with local peppers, mint and fig leaf oil was a superb refreshing start. Andy and the rest of the team explained each dish at length and even gave the names of the local organic farmers and purveyors that they used.
We perused the wonderful wine list and spoke to the sommelier and settled on a Canary Island white as our friends had just returned from there and we are going in November!
The first course of three amuses arrived and we were searching for our wine. She finally returned saying they were out and suggested a Chapui & Chapui "Bouzeron" 2021 which was a creamy Bourgogne Aligote that we all loved. The amuses were all superb, the Crispy Celery Root nest came filled with a Smoked Tofu Puree that you would have sworn was pate! The single oyster (alternate veggie option for those who do not eat fish) was a Valiant from Chincoteague and had a superb Preserved Green Strawberry puree with Shiso Leaf and Oil. The Compressed Cucumber had a Shiitake & Tomato XO with Delfino Cilantro and Sesame Seeds(none for me!) and was okay but won no prizes.
All dishes are on FB.
We all loved the Celebration of Tomatoes, a bowl loaded with all kinds of local heirloom tomatoes with ground cherries, licorice basil pesto(yes, I could taste it, but not overpowering), pickled Mexican gherkins and fermented Koji peanut broth poured tableside. The next course was excellent as well, but for us, marred by the intense fennel--hence licorice taste. Roasted Carrots (Mokum, Atlas and more--who knew!?) were topped with fennel and in a fennel sauce with buckwheat groats, kraut and poblano chili confit. I would have really gone nuts about this dish with a tad less fennel. The sommelier was so excited about the dish she insisted we try a taste of Sauvignon Blanc from Audrey Pilorjet in the Loire called "Box" which was indeed ideal with the dish. The name was funny, but it thankfully comes in a bottle and is really not too citrusy or grassy.
One of our favorite courses was the Garleek Bread which was garlic & leek served with the most amazing Marigold (vegan) butter made with sunflower seeds as well. Our gluten-free guest got special bread as well, and we ultimately begged for more, which did arrive later! We were desperately searching for the sommelier to bring our red wine, but there seemed to be something wrong, and she had disappeared. The restaurant is quite small with maybe a dozen or so tables, so we got concerned when our next dish arrived quite fast, even though we had asked for a longer break! The Hmong Rice Grits had corn, Jimmy Nardello peppers and a lemon-thyme forth that was excellent and the "main" course was a Stuffed Summer Squash stuffed with Terracotta (a vegan ricotta) and served with foraged Mushrooms (the other Oyster), Black Truffle shavings and a Squash Blossom and Zucchini Sauce. It was excellent and we begged for a long break before dessert and thankfully our red arrived mid-course. Wenzel "Franky" Wild is a 2022 Burgenland, Austria Blaufrankisch that was ideal with the rich veggies, although it had a slight effervescence that was not as welcome.
We were grateful for the 15-minute break before the yummy dessert arrived of Upside-Down Peach Cake on Donut Peach with Caramelized Peach Sauce, Pecan Cream (Mousse) and Lemon Verbena Oil. Andy brought over a glass of Cremant de Loire from Paul Boisse for us to celebrate our friend's birthday which was a nice gesture and them we got some yummy Shiitake (vegan) Chocolate Chip cookies.
We loved Oyster, Oyster, but we were a tad discouraged with the timing. Please note we finished the entire meal in less than 2 hours and this is a place you should be enjoying each bite and lingering, just like most excellent Michelin star destinations. We regretted the fennel and licorice as well and the red wine appeared truly too late. It's a fun place with superb food and the team there is excellent and just needs to tighten up a tad. Maybe that will garner another star!
