There are all kinds of odd reasons to visit Sweden. We're quite keen on the nuclear power plant tours for a start. But come April, we have one more excellent reason to head there: April 19 brings us the annual Oyster Opening Championships, held in Grebbestad.
The aim of a champion oyster opener is simple:
To open 30 oysters in the shortest possible time, without bloodshed, and present them in an attractive way on a tray.
So obviously you've gotta be into oysters to get a kick out of this particular event. Locals recommend washing down an oyster meal with some of the local beer, Grebbestads Bryggeri. Sounds like the kind of beer whose name only gets easier to say when you've had quite a few.
We based last week's Missed Connections post on a presidential primary, but guess what? Next week is Super Tuesday, and no way can you or anyone look for The One in 24 places at once. Even harnessing the power of the Internet, how would you ever get around to meeting all those people?
If you're in search of the politically minded, though, try the District, which unexpectedly finished in Forbes' top 10 cities for singles. Ask him or her out for President's Day instead of Valentine's Day--there's far less pressure to have a good time.
Green Lantern -- Share your travels at this "just-right" pub and club which also caters to you weekend workaholics with a Sunday happy hour. (Maybe there's one in every House?) 1335 Green Ct. NW
Old Ebbitt Grill -- The shirts are stuffed to order at this classic oyster bar and steakhouse, but that doesn't mean you can't have a civilized chat at the bar. 675 15th St. NW
A friend of Jaunted checked in from Portland, where he's been passing a week's vacation among nature. He even got a chance to check out the city's bike scene, which he says is even better than we reported.
But the real reason he got in touch was to tell us about Dan & Louis Oyster Bar, a killer raw bar celebrating its centennial this year. What made it so good?
I got a dozen oysters for $9.95, and threw in a glass of wine and a big tip for a bill that came to $22. Had some Yakima Bays--an East Coast transplant oyster--and Oregon Kumamotos. It's my second time there, and I'm only in town for a week.
Sounds like the kind of place we want on our raw bars map.
Shucking season is here, and we're searching for the top raw bars. Our map has the exact locations of the best briny bivalves.
And you thought we weren't going to mention it. Come on. The historic Grand Central Oyster Bar is as much an homage to New York as it is an ode to oysters. Since 1913, harried commuters, big-money bankers and star-crossed lovers have bellied up to this long raw bar to share big platters of seafood while the trains rumble overhead.
Shucking season is here, and we're searching for the top raw bars. Our map has the exact locations of the best briny bivalves.
While San Fran's Swan has its share of devotees, we could never overlook the best place on the West Coast for oysters: Seattle. And while we know it's a bit touristy, Elliott's Oyster House deserves all those guidebook mentions. With a deck overlooking Elliott Bay, there's no better place to order a platter and enjoy the Emerald City.
Shucking season is here, and we're searching for the top raw bars. Our map has the exact locations of the best briny bivalves.
San Francisco's restaurant scene moves almost as fast as New York's, with chef shake-ups and lease-swapping happening all the time. But at Swan Oyster Depot, the barkeeps aren't messing with success: This simple, 19-seat seafood emporium's been shucking since 1912. The place maintains its old-school vibe, and we wouldn't have it any other way.
Shucking season is here, and we're searching for the top raw bars. Our map has the exact locations of the best briny bivalves.
Cape Cod has more than its fair share of clam shacks and raw bars. But what's a sophisticated urbanite to do--you won't make the gallery parties if you're driving back from the country. Fortunately, Boston's Neptune Oyster has you covered when you want to slurp seafood in the city.
Shucking season is here, and we're searching for the top raw bars. Our map has the exact locations of the best briny bivalves.
While Maine has its lobster, Massachusetts is the capital of New England oysters. And now that we're in the heart of the season, the Naked Oyster on Cape Cod is loading up on local seafood. Park yourself along at the long mahogany bar, and settle in for a feast.
