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242 OYSTERS AROUND THE WORLD

Oysters Around the World

Although most food now seems to be TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA
available virtually anywhere at any Seafood from Australia’s verdant island
time of year, the only way to sample extension is venerated by mainland chefs in
the finest oysters is to eat them close Sydney and Melbourne, especially oysters
from Tasmania’s pristine, cooler waters. Eating
to their native waters. The exceptional
a freshly shucked half-dozen at the source is
oyster restaurants tend to be close to
an essential Down Under experience.
the best oyster beds.
Get Shucked inexpensive
1650 Bruny Island Main Rd., Bruny Island;
NEW ZEALAND www.getshucked.com.au
Niagara Falls Café moderate Keep it simple with a splash of Tabasco and a
256 Niagara-Waikawa Rd., South Catlins; squeeze of lemon at Get Shucked’s roadside stand
www.niagarafallscafe.co.nz on rugged and robust Bruny Island. An essential
Part roadside restaurant and part funky art gallery, complement is a zingy chili pepper (nonalcoholic)
the Niagara Falls Café partners Bluff oysters with brew from the Tasmanian Chilli Beer Company.
flinty Central Otago Riesling or zingy Marlborough
Sauvignon Blanc. Seafood aficionados should Freycinet Marine Farm moderate
definitely follow up with the blue cod in a herb 1784 Coles Bay Rd., Coles Bay;
and Chardonnay sauce. www.freycinetmarinefarm.com
Simple wooden tables belie a sophisticated combo
Redcliff Restaurant & Bar of oysters fresh from nearby Great Oyster Bay and
expensive the best of Tasmanian beer and wine. Improbably
12 Mokonui St., Te Anau; +64 3 249 7431 plump mussels and rock lobsters – from December
A dozen Bluff oysters or house-smoked salmon to May only – are other tasty diversions.
at Te Anau’s Redcliff Restaurant & Bar is the perfect
celebration after completing Fiordland’s iconic Marque IV expensive
Milford Track. Redcliff’s cozy bar is also the place Elizabeth St. Pier, Hobart; www.marqueiv.com.au
to catch live music on summer weekends. Hobart’s brilliant southern light shimmers on rows of
fishing boats as Marque IV’s elegant harborside
dining room showcases the best Tasmanian produce.
On The Menu For oyster fans, the most delicious and innovative
enhancements include limoncello and chili pepper or
Oysters Bienville These are grilled oysters cucumber sorbet and Avruga roe.
with béchamel sauce and garlic, shrimp,
mushrooms, white wine, and Tabasco sauce.
A New Orleans classic. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Oysters Kilpatrick An Australian and New One of the world’s great harbor cities is also
Zealand dish that combines grilled oysters a brilliant destination for fresh seafood. The
with Worcestershire sauce, diced bacon, oyster experience here stretches from humble
and chopped parsley. market stands to stylish waterfront bars. Fine
Oyster po’ boy A traditional Louisiana Australian wine is usually close at hand.
“poor-boy” sandwich: a baguette filled with
breaded, deep-fried oysters. Sydney Fish Market inexpensive
Oysters Rockefeller Created in 1899, and Bank St., Prymont; www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au
named after oil magnate John D. Rockefeller, After the fish bazaars of Japan, Sydney Fish Market
these oysters are grilled with finely diced offers the world’s widest variety of seafood.
herbs, spinach, and butter. Curious foodie travelers can seek out and sample at
Oyster shooter Fresh oyster served in a least ten different types of oysters, together with
shot glass, often in a Bloody Mary cocktail. only-in-Australia seafood such as leather jackets,
yabbies, and Moreton Bay bugs.