Tasty bivalve mollusks will be on special menus and at special events all over the city during New York Oyster Week
Multiple venues
September 10-27
www.oysterweek.com
Oysters have been an important part of New York City culture practically from the beginning, and not just because of how delicious and extravagant they are. “There used to be enough oysters in New York Harbor to process all the water there, which is one of the reasons environmentalists want them back,” Mark Kurlansky wrote in his celebrated 2006 book The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell. “And perhaps this is also why oysters taste like eating the sea.” You can swallow the slimy bivalve mollusks while learning more about them at the Oyster Shellebration, taking place September 12 ($100, 5:00 – 8:00) in the newest section of Brooklyn Bridge Park at Adams and John Sts. Sponsored by the park conservancy and One John Street, the event will feature tastings of East Coast oysters, clam chowder, shrimp rolls, canapés, beer, Champagne, wine, and more, with Oyster Concierge Julie Qiu, Master Mermmelier Kevin Joseph, and Chef Rob McCue as well as experts from the Billion Oyster Project and the Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries. Be prepared to discover that oysters aren’t just good, they’re good for all of us, for many reasons. Oyster Shellebration is part of New York Oyster Week, in which more than a dozen participating eateries will be preparing special menus highlighting oysters; the festivities kick off with the second annual Brooklyn Oyster Riot, being held September 10 at the Brooklyn Brewery ($95-$125) and featuring East and West Coast oysters served by oyster farmers, who will also share stories and answer questions. Also on the festival menu are the Shuckeasy on September 17, the Big Gay Oyster Brunch on September 20, and Oystoberfest and the Stone Street Oyster Festival on September 26.