Shuck and awe
ROTUNDA
90 York Way, N1 9AG, tel: 020 7014 2840
As part of London’s Oyster Festival, there will be oyster masterclasses through October, plus a menu that includes oyster tempura and onuga caviar; oyster and scallop ravioli and Guinness and oyster pie, alongside a good range of natives.
BENTLEY’S
11-15 Swallow St, W1B 4DGT, tel: 020 7734 4756
Go for half a dozen Maldon Rock oysters and a glass of perfectly matched Muscadet for £9.95. Otherwise, there’s heaps of Atlantic prawns, chilled lobster, smoked salmon, shellfish bisque and other goodies at this classic seafood restaurant.
GREEN’S
14 Cornhill, EC3V 3ND, tel: 020 7220 6300
Green’s oyster platter is a selection of 12 little beasties, including Loch Ryan natives, Carlingford Lough rocks and West Mersea rocks and natives, and costs £27.25 – be sure to wash it all down with a glass of Laurent Perrier.
ST PANCRAS GRAND OYSTER BAR
St Pancras International, Pancras Road, NW1 2QP, tel: 020 7843 4250
Throughout October, there’s a stonking choice of British rock oysters – from Carlingford Lough in Ireland, to Northumberland Lindisfarne, to Scottish Cumrae to Maldon and Colchester. There’s nothing fancy: garnishes are lemon juice, Tabasco and mignonette (shallots and vinegar sauce). Champagne starts at £8 for a glass of house fizz.
SHEEKEY’S OYSTER BAR
28-32 St Martin’s Ct, WC2N 4AL, tel: 020 7240 2565
Offerings are Strangford Lough Rocks, West Mersea Pearls, Fines de Claire and West Mersea Natives and an intense dish of mixed oysters with spicy boar. For £15 you can have a glass of Theophile Roederer Champagne and half a dozen West Mersea Pearls.
WRIGHT BROTHERS
11 Stoney street, SE1 9AD, tel: 020 7403 9554
You’ve got all your regulars – Maldon, wild Colchester, Duchy of Cornwall, Cumbrae, Lindisfarne – plus specials such as oysters with wasabe, spinach, chorizo and so on. All are delicious, sometimes shockingly so given the unusual ingredients.
LE BOUCHON BRETON
8 Horners Square, E1 6EW, tel: 020 7738 0307
Le Bouchon are holding oyster masterclasses through October. Ten varieties will be paired with wines as the head waiter, from La Rochelle on France’s Atlantic coast, takes you through the tastes and the correct way to prepare them.