Several weeks ago, our son in law called to ask if he could throw an birthday party / oyster roast at our house for his wife, aka Writer Princess – our daughter. Since it was going to be a family celebration, Mrs. Poolman invited her two sisters and various adult children, spouses, significant others, etc. The end result was that in addition to hosting a labor-intensive party, we also had a house full of company all weekend. We had seven additional adults and one rather large and hyper-active boxer (dog). One couple slept down the street at Poolboy’s apartment, but they were still her for meals, etc.

I wish I had pictures to share, but to be honest, I was so darn busy before, during and after the party that I didn’t even think to pull out my camera. In addition to the oysters, we also had a good spread of chili and other party foods.

To be fair,  SIL provided the oysters and helped out a lot.  But when the event is at your house, there is a ton of prep and, later, clean up.

During the yard clean-up, I discovered something that makes sense, but I hadn’t thought of before. Dog droppings do not decompose as quickly during the colder winter than they do during the summer. I must have spent an hour scooping up petrified dog poop from the back yard.

It was a lot of effort, but everyone seemed to have a good time. Or at least they faked it well. The guest-of-honor was very pleased.

When they were growing up, she was always very jealous of her brother who had a summer birthday. He just seemed to have “cooler” parties.

Well, darlin’, let me tell ya. A pool party with roasted hot dogs is a lot less trouble than an oyster roast with a house full of out-of-town company. You’re welcome to a summer party anytime you want.

So the Ace Hotel is kind of awesome. First is the hotel by itself, with a super sweet lobby, and then there’s Stumptown, and then there’s The Breslin and then finally, finally is the new John Dory Oyster Bar.

It’s definitely a bar, you’ll be sitting on bar stools at the counter at the windows (like we were) or on bar stools at a tiny round table. Their raw bar presentation itself is pretty neato, and I wish we were seated over there. But instead we got to watch the random strangers go by outside.

So oysters are $3/pop, doesn’t matter what kind you get. We got Mermaid Cove and Royal Miyagi, which are both good stuff. After that we got some small plates:

This is the oyster pan roast with the uni crostini on the left. I wasn’t sure what an oyster roast was going to be, it was a creamy soup and Kelly and I were actually confusing it with the clam chowder we also got, both were very good but they were kind of similar. To the right are the Parker House rolls which were A-mazing. Best rolls ever. We almost stole some from the plate of the people next to us, but our mammas raised us better than that. We also had mussels stuffed with mortadella which was kind of like a meatball inside the mussel, also very nice.

The only thing that wasn’t so nice was the dessert:

On the left – Honeycrisp tart with almonds and creme fraiche (meh) and on the right – chocolate pot with whiskey cream and oatmeal cookie. Well I don’t care about oatmeal cookies to begin with but this one was hard as rock aaaaand the chocolate pot was very similar to a certain dessert I often have elsewhere. Interestiiiing.

ALSO – I feel like there’s been a lot of hype about The John Dory but we went around 7/7:30 on a Saturday night and were seated immediately, which was awesome. So here’s the scoop: I really like The John Dory and I like everything The Ace Hotel does, pretty much as a rule. So I would definitely go back to The John Dory when I’ve got money to burn, or when I’m with my momma cause I think she’d really like those rolls. Kelly and I sure did!

Christmas Tree Lighting — Dec. 3 at Riverwalk Landing. Yorktown is aglow in the holiday spirit with the Illumination followed by the Christmas Tree Lighting at Riverwalk Landing. Entertainment begins at the Victory Monument at 6:30 pm followed by the procession of lights through historic Yorktown to the site of the tree lighting led by the Fifes and Drums of York Town. Enjoy holiday entertainment and a visit by Santa Claus. Free. 757-890-3500.

Christmas Market on Main Street. – Dec. 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Whether you are searching for a holiday gift for family, friends, or as a treat to yourself, you’re sure to find it at the Christmas Market on Main. The market features arts and crafts, demonstrations, classic cars, living history, roasted chestnuts and hot cider, entertainment, and much more. The Fifes and Drums of York Town will perform to open the Market. Historic Main Street. Free. 757-890-3500.

Watermen’s Museum Oyster Roast — Held 2-6 p.m. on Dec. 4. Enjoy oysters, clam fritters, clam chowder, hot dogs and a variety of beverages. Sponsored by Watermen’s Museum and Williamsburg Montessori School. Admission. $. 757-887-2641

December Wine Dinner — Held 6-8 p.m. Dec. 4 at Riverwalk Restaurant. Riverwalk Landing, 323 Water St. Call 875-1522 for information and pricing.

Lighted Boat Parade — Held 7-9 p.m. on Dec. 4. A magnificent parade of lights floats by as festively decorated boats compete for “Best of Show” in the Lighted Boat Parade. A roaring beach bonfire keeps you warm as you drink hot cider and listen to the festive music while you wait for the parade to begin. The Fifes and Drums of York Town will be performing. Yorktown Waterfront. Free. 890-3500.

Cookies with Santa — 1-4 p.m. Dec. 5 in York Hall. Christmas is alive at York Hall where children and parents can visit with Santa Claus, enjoy some tasty treats, and shop for holiday gifts in The Gallery at York Hall. Parents are encouraged to bring cameras for family photos. 301 Main Street. Free. 757-890-3500.

Yorktown Market Days at the River – 8 a.m.-noon on Dec. 11 at Riverwalk Landing. Fresh produce, meat and seafood, baked goods, specialty cut flowers, quality art, enjoy holiday music and sounds of the season, and much more await you at the Saturday morning Market. Sponsored by Riverwalk Landing Business Association and York County. Riverwalk Landing. Free. 757-890-3500. For more detailed information on Yorktown Market Days at the River, visit the Market Days website.

Breakfast with Santa — 9-10:30 a.m. at Riverwalk Restaurant. Join Santa and Mrs. Claus, our special guests from the North Pole, for a kid-friendly breakfast. Experience the enchantment on the children’s faces as they relay their Christmas wish list to Santa. The Fifes and Drums of York Town will perform. Special treats for the kids. Parents are encouraged to bring cameras for family photos. Historic Yorktown Freight Shed, Yorktown Waterfront. Tickets required. Seating is limited. Call 875-1522 for information and pricing.

Toyland Parade – 1-3 p.m. Dec. 11 at Riverwalk Landing. Decorate a stroller or wagon, or even yourself, and join in the 1:30 pm parade! Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to greet the guests and Mrs. Claus will host her own storytelling show. The Fifes and Drums of York Town will be leading the parade. As an added treat, the Polar Express will be chugging along through Riverwalk Landing. All aboard! Riverwalk Landing. Free. 890-3500.

NEED A PLACE TO STAY?

KINGSMILL RESORT & SPA LUXURY 1 OR 2 BEDROOM CONDO

Events include a silent auction, holiday craft show, kid zone and laser tag. Plus, live music on Saturday by the Chili Willy Band and Matt MacKelcan and Sunday by Pete Buonaiuto, Stepping Stones and White Liquor.

Admission is $5. Food is sold separately. Proceeds from the event benefit the Hilton Head Island Recreation Association Children’s Scholarship Fund.

Stay in jeans and sneakers for this casual, fun-filled and tasty family day at Shelter Cove Park. We’ll see y’all there! For more information, please visit http://www.islandreccenter.org/page.php?ID=199.

Here then, is a quick list of everything we think you need to know about oysters – and an easy way to have your very own oyster roast.

1. A group of oysters is called a bed or reef.
2. Oysters breathe much like fish, using both gills and mantle.
3. Oysters are one of the most nutritionally well-balanced foods containing protein, carbohydrates and lipids.
4. Oysters have long been linked with love. When Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, sprang forth from the sea on an oyster shell and promptly gave birth to Eros, the word “aphrodisiac” was born.
5. It’s no longer true that oysters can only be enjoyed in months with the letter “R” in them. Though the rich taste of oysters lends itself more to cooler months, it’s safe and wonderful to enjoy oysters all 12 months of the year.

If we’ve whetted your appetite, why not try your hand at your very own Lowcountry oyster roast? It’s simple: build a roaring fire on level ground, and set a trestle made of four cinder blocks and a sturdy sheet of scrap steel over it to serve as an extra-large griddle. When the metal is searing hot, you literally shovel on a layer of oysters and blanket them with water-soaked burlap bags or old towels.

The oysters roast and steam in their shells and acquire hints of the wood smoke that swirls around them. Five to 10 minutes later, remove the towels and shovel the oysters onto a rustic table scattered with gloves, hand towels and oyster knives, so guests can gather around to shuck and slurp down the briny treats. We recommend having Saltines, hot sauce and cocktail sauce on the table.

Have an oyster fact for us? Let us know.

1. 75 degrees, sunny, no humidity, soft breeze.
2. Fewer crowds, so stretch out, take your time and enjoy.
3. Oyster season begins!
4. Oyster roasts galore…make sure your gloves and knives are ready!
5. Cast netting for shrimp season (until December 15!)
6. Halloween on the Island!
7. Turkey Tennis and Turkey Trot (islandreccenter.org)
8. Your favorite (light) sweater!
9. Bluffton Half Marathon & 5K Run (http://blufftonhalfmarathon.com/)
10. Open windows!

The event includes all you care to enjoy chili, oysters, beer, and fun!  This is a family friendly event that includes a kids fun zone and there will be adoptable animals from the Charleston Animal Society on-site.  You may just leave with a forever friend!

Charleston Maritime Center

Tickets: $25 in advance for adults / $10 for kids.

Pet Helpers 9th Annual Oyster Roast ~ March 20, 2010 . 7-11pm

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) is this weekend, February 12-14, 2010.  Did you know it is the largest wildlife event in the nation?

Celebrating its 28th year, the expo features over 400 artists, exhibitors and presentations.  This is a fantastic event!

In the mood for roasted oysters?  There are two oyster roast this weekend!

SEWE/East Cooper Ducks Unlimited Oyster Roast is on Friday, February 12, 2010  6:00 p.m. under the Visitors Center Bus Shed

Sullivans Island Fire and Rescue Oyster Roast is Saturday February 13th from 5-8pm “under the big tin”.  Rain or Shine!

Click here for a link to the Boone Hall Plantation webstie.

photo by waffries

Please join us on Friday the 13th for an Oyster Roast and BBQ at the Middleton Inn’s Syrup Shed!  The Syrup Shed is at the Equestrian Center just before you get to the Inn.  Parking is available or you can walk from your room.  Bring a sweater because it may get a little chilly after dark, hopefully the bonfire will help keep us warm!  We will start roasting oysters at 6:30 pm and we hope to see you there!

OYSTER ROAST

The Charleston County Bar Association Student Division cordially invites you to attend our 1^st Annual Fund Raiser Event, supporting Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services.

O’MALLEYS GRILL

549 King Street

Saturday, October 24^th

5 -7 P.M.

Oysters provided by O’Malleys Grille

Come And Support

Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services while enjoying all the oysters you can eat and the best legal company in the Lowcountry!

TICKETS

Charleston County Bar Members & Student Division Members $10

Non-Members & Guests $15

*Tickets to be sold on the Charleston School of Law campus in the Barrister from 12:00 – 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm the week of October 12 – 16, 2009*

Please contact the following for ticket purchases:

• Ginny Howell, Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services 843-853-6456 vzhprobono@bellsouth.net
• Matthew Keller, Co-President, CCBA Student Division 843-514-5963 mkeller@charlestonlaw.edu
• Stephanie Brinkley, Co-President, CCBA Student Division  843-364-9669 sbrinkley@charlestonlaw.edu

-RFW

Thanks to Virginia Howell for sharing with me!

A Sad Note of Rumor
Jacksonville’s rudest electro-sass artist Lazerstar is moving to Virginia. Yes, there will be 1 less MPC-slinger doing the nasty to your buttface with his tiny little tight shorts. Riverside house parties + me gently weep.

Q)
Should we have a whacksonville.com crabboil/oysterroast at a local state or city park and invite all of our loyal readers and commenters to come party with us and have a sick dj and some shit?

A)
OMG.yes.OMG/ & then, if we had ever ranked on u on the internet u can be all like: “Well at least someone paid some attention to me & besides how can I be sad while I’ve got a mouthful of white lump meat and daaaaaaaaamn I popped a 2-hour oyster boner. puhleeaaaase!”

a party bro of the millenium ages, infinity's own, riverside's own CHRIS SPOHN DREAM BOAT CREAMSICKLE powerranger love commander

But, if nobody ever ranked on you, I want you to enjoy the satisfraction of knowing that you either don’t suck in an entertaining way or have a lot of money or some shit.

Suc It,
Spezz

Spezz Meckman

It was a pleasure to meet the proprietors and marking director of The Lucky Oyster, and they happened to tentatively announce the next event…  who is ready for a BBQ Ribs cook-off!  This will be great if everything works out, stay tuned for more info.

Look for a special for the week of 02/22/2009 as we will be covering the Wine Tasting and Dessert Cook-Off (and Oyster Roast) taking place at the Lucky Oyster in Virginia Beach on 02/22/2009.  The event goes from 1pm to 5pm, and tickets are $20 with $5 of that going to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.  The FeastingFool family will be there for all the festivities, we hope to see y’all out there too!

My kicks of course…