Best oysters in LA?

[annie]

Just got back from a holiday in Brittany and am jonesing for more fresh oysters ... any suggestions from fellow 'hounds?

[ickster]

I enjoy the selection at the Water Grill. The oysters at the downtown Mccormick and Schmick's are pretty good too.

[WildSwede]

I love the oysters at Mirabelle on Sunset. And they are really cheap during happy hour between 4-7 everyday (including Sat & Sun). They had 3 kinds when we went - hama hama being my favorite. See link: http://www.mirabellehollywood.com/
Also, don't forget to get their delicious Ahi Tuna Tartare, also on happy hour prices!
Yes, my mom says that any month without an R (basically the summer months) are times you should not eat oysters - and judging from the nasty one I had in Reno a couple of weeks ago, she is absolutely correct!

[ozhead]

From the website of Maestro S.V.P., a high-end seafood restaurant in Quebec (http://www.maestrosvp.com/frameset_en...

"Folklore says that oysters should be eaten only in months with "r's" in them -- September, October, etc. At Maestro S.V.P. we have been trying to educate people that oysters can be eaten 12 months a year. The notion that oysters should not be eaten in "r"-less months -- that is, months that occur during warm weather -- may have started in the days when oysters where shipped without adequate refrigeration and could spoil. But today all that has changed and we can enjoy oysters twelve months a year."

[brunello]

I think I'd add to that with more than just shipping in warm weather, but warm weather leads to warm water creating algae blooms that can poison the mollusks. Luckily, modern transportation allows us to source oysters from around the world so when it's warmer here in N. America, it's much colder in the S. Hemisphere.

I usually look for the oyster source dependent on the time of year. Just because your favourites may be Hama Hamas or Fanny Bays, doesn't mean you should have them year round.

[Ciao Bob]

I, and my comapnion, were recently amazed by sharing an oyster platter at Spago that was absolutly brilliant. Not something I would ordinarily think of to get at Spago but it was perfect.

[Rodeline]

I frequent the oyster bar at Quality Seafood in Redondo Beach Pier. They have a wide variety of oysters and raw clam. I've always enjoyed the oysters here, but the last time I was there, the oyster was just ok, maybe that's a seasonal thing. (This is probably an old's wife's tale, but my mother usually had a thing that only to get shellfish on months with R's) I will still continue to get my oysters there. You can also ask the shuckers on what oysters they recommend at the moment.

If your ever in the Brea area, I had really good oysters at Taps, a brewery pub.

[azibo]

Taps for sure has some of the best I've ever had. The Hood Canal oysters I had there were so delicious. Also, the Water Grill has an excellent oyster bar, but certainly more pricey.

[ozhead]

King's Fish House in Calabasas, which is part of the same group as The Water Grill, has terrific oysters -- generally 8 or more varieties, and not grotesquely expensive.

[SauceSupreme]

My favorite oysters are Malpeques, Quilcenes and Hama Hama's. The Ocean Ave (King's, I Cugini, etc) group of restaurants have pretty good oysters, as does Hungry Cat and Fraiche.