The debut edition of Downtown Baltimore Oyster Week wraps up this weekend. I love the idea of it but wonder how important critical mass is to this kind of promotion. Take another look, though, and see what grabs you.

I got a nice note a few weeks ago from former Baltimore Sun writer Rona Kobell. She sent along this beautifully illustrated article from the Bay Journal about the potential for aquaculture in Maryland's oyster industry. This is the first of a three part series -- the first three-parter in the journal’s 110-year history. Part 2 will focus on entrepreneurs, and Part 3 will be all about -- food.

I've been meaning to post this, and now felt like right time to share it.

At left: 

Photo courtesy of the Chesapeake Bay Journal/Dave Harp.

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Oyster Week
        

Has anyone been slurping up Oyster Week?

I didn't make it out for oysters last night. I love staying outside on the kind of evening we've been having. Last night, I noticed the tables outside of Marie Louise Bistro. I summoned some friends and they joined me there. Good call. Snacked on some cheese and French onion soup. Good service, too.

A very nice couple stopped by to chat. They're in town attending the Peabody's Road Scholar program (formerly known as the Edlerhostel) and were scouting out places to take their granddaughter tonight. They'd heard about the The Helmand but were dubious. They went off to check out the City Cafe. Sometimes I wish I really were an information booth, people are so nice. The woman seemed to include me in a blanket statement referring to the group at our table as "college-age".

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 12:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Oyster Week
        

Did anyone make it out for Baltimore Oyster Week?

I went down to the Oceanaire Seafood Room. The Harbor East restaurant, which recently welcomed a new chef, John Taylor, hadn't come up with anything special for is participation in the promotion. It wasn't obligated to, but it felt to me like a missed opportunity.

The bar area, meant to evoke the streamlined decor of a transatlantic ocean line, remains a posh setting, and the oyster selection last night was an impressive mix of East and West coast varieties. We put together a Virigina Dozen, 3 each of Rappahannock, Barcat, York River, and Stingray Bay. The oyster presentation is top-flight -- a cocktail sauce with shaved horseradish is commendable. Then, a plate of Oysters Rockefeller -- traditional all the way, blameless, and so what.

I'm not convinced anyone at the Oceanaire knew about the oyster week promotion, and I'm still not sure why we weren't shown the bar menu, which is exactly what we would have wanted. 

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 12:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Oyster Week
        

The Downtown Partnership has just posted a list of the oyster dishes -- some are special creations, some are regular items -- that restaurants participating in the first annual Downtown Baltimore Oyster Week Celebration will be serving.

Take a look.

Baltimore Sun Staff/Barbara Haddock Taylor

Posted by Richard Gorelick at 12:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Oyster Week