I didn't have my first raw oyster until my 30th birthday, which was 10 years ago. My first experience was at Zuni in San Francisco. That place has perfected the art of selling oysters.
Move forward 10 years. To me I can't think of a better pairing than oysters and champagne. When I go out for a nice evening and oysters are on the menu my heart skips a beat. To me there is something romantic about oysters. Who would have ever thought I these words would pass my lips. Most people take a look at these little creatures and it just conjures of thoughts of flem coughed up from some truck drive who has been smoking for the past 30 years.
I on the other hand can be bought with the oyster champagne combination. I have always said that if I had a date and they brought me out and on their own ordered oysters and champagne I was theirs! It makes me weak! A little over a year ago I brought the guy I was dating to a nice neighborhood establishment on a night where they had Tuesday night oysters from 6:00 to 7:30 at a small price of $1.00 per oyster. I was all set!
We arrived at 7:00 pm, were immediately seated and I made sure the waitress knew my desire for oysters. I asked for the wine list to see what champagne choices I had available to me. I ordered a fabulous vintage that was $25 per glass. I ordered one for me and my date knowing oysters and champagne had to be any one's favorite. The champagne came along, we ordered oysters and then within 5 minutes after my first sip of champagne the waitress popped my champagne bubble. "Excuse me sir the chef said there are no more oyster for this evening." Mind you at that point it was maybe 7:15 pm and I still had 15 minutes to indulge.
Well the true KB came out in me. "Well given that I came here for the oyster special and ordered this most lovely glass of champagne knowing I would have oysters, I have decided that you can take both glasses of this champagne off my bill and bring us water." Silence...."I'll be right back". Guess what...the chef managed to find oysters to shuck! God knows if he coughed up his own personal oyster to add to the mix, but I didn't care I had what I came for!
I recently tried to recreate this "romantic" oyster champagne experience in my own home. I was fortunate to be given 2 dozen Washington State oysters and two lovely bottles of Champagne. I invited a few people to share this treat with. I haven't shucked an oyster in over 4 years. The only thing I can say is leave the oyster shucking to the restaurant. This process totally ruined my enjoyment for this most wonderful treat. I was slurping them down but it just didn't seem the same. From now on this KB will go out and allow a professional to shuck and serve this most delicious critter.
