Oyster Season

I had my first oysters of the season last weekend at my parents' house. "R" months are such a happy time at the Waskom house.

Right now's a good time to be an oyster lover anywhere near Baltimore, actually. This week kicks off a spate of oyster-related social functions that sound fun and delicious.

First up, this Friday, September 21st from 4 to 7 p.m., B and O American Brasserie is hosting an oyster happy hour in conjunction with War Shore Oyster Company. Oysters and Natty Bohs are $1 each (regular B and O happy hour specials are also in effect - $3 beer and champagne, $4 wine, and $5 specialty cocktails). The happy hour is slated to become a monthly event - it sounds awesome.

A few weeks from now, on October 3rd, the party shifts to the Aquarium for "Mermaid's Kiss," a party benefiting the Oyster Recovery Partnership. The VIP reception starts at 5 and the main event is from 6:30 to 9. Tickets are $50 in advance or $65 at the door and VIP tickets are $75 or $100.

That same week marks Ryleigh's sixth annual OysterFest benefitting the Oyster Recovery Partnership (again) and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The week includes a tasting competition, a ball, a shucking competition and a good old fashioned bull and oyster roast.

That's a lot of opportunities to eat oysters, right there.

Oh, and one more thing. A little more proof that Maryland is just a little, tiny state. That picture at the top? The PR ladies at Profiles sent it to me along with the press release about the B and O event. As it turns out, the picture was taking by Sarah Kingston, one of my old friends from college! She lives in Annapolis now and her husband works for the Oyster Recovery Partnership, so she gets to go to a lot of fun parties.

And, obviously, she gets to take a lot of cool pictures. That then end up in my inbox.