Elliott's Oyster New Year

The biggest oyster party on the West Coast!
You know you all had a good time if you have to Google "overdose on oysters?"
Right?
Yes, well for the record, you can get too much zinc with too many oysters but not to worry too much.  If you like fresh oysters, special fundraisers or just a good time, I might suggest you plan ahead for next year's Elliott's Oyster New Year event on Nov 7th 2015.

It sold out this year and we were packed in at Pier 66 with hundreds of other bivalve lovers. 
Over 30 separate oyster growers came to shuck them fresh just for us.
It's a good cause too!  It helps oyster growers throughout the region.
Plus, it's fun.
And there is oysters, and wine, and local beer, and local music. And it's fun and delicious too.

All proceeds benefit the Puget Sound Restoration Fund (PSRF), a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring the Sound’s water quality and native marine species and their habitats.  


Elliott's explains it like this: The oyster new year is when the cool fall weather moves back into the Puget Sound region.  It kicks off the season when oysters come into their prime—developing a crisp, firm texture and clean taste characteristics. Elliott’s long-standing partnerships with responsible growers ensure that everything they serve comes from a sustainable local resource dedicated to the well-being of our environment. 

For the record, even if you don't like oysters too much, you can still have a very, very good time at the event with lots of other heavy appetizers, desserts, wine, beer and live music.

Featuring 30+ varieties of local oysters shucked to at a 150-foot oyster bar, all from the Puget Sound (except for this picturesque Kusshi guy from Vancouver Island and maybe one from Maryland that was in the brochure (but we never saw them...)

Here's the highlights:

• 30+ varieties of local oysters shucked to order at the 1500-foot oyster bar
• Fresh seafood buffet
• Over 60 wineries (!!!)
• Local microbrews
• Live music
• The famous Oyster Luge
• People’s Choice “Most Beautiful Oyster” contest (in the raw, no less!)

So many wineries, so little time.

Oh yeah, we did have a bunch of time, so we did get to try many great local, Californian, Italian and French Wines.
I just had a little sip.
A little sip here, and a little sip there.


Some of our favorites?

• Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc (CA)
• Januik Sauv Blanc (WA)
• Chateau St Michelle Sauv Blanc (WA)
• Willamette Valley Pinot Gris (OR)
• An Austrian Winery with a "Singing  Gruner Veltliner"... maybe it was the name. 
• Danzante Pinot Grigio (Italy)
• Heck!  They were all good!

The Oyster Luge.


Who wouldn't want an oyster skating down an icy 4 foot slope into your mouth?


Yep, not me. 


You'd better stick your tongue out if you want to make sure to catch that sucker!

















A live band, a little jazz, some rock and a lot of dancing!
A good time was had by all.