LOCAL OYSTER
EXPERIENCES
Although most of us could try
to open oysters (with the right
chainmail glove and shucking
knife), why not let professional
shuckers pry away at those
impressively strong shells? These
local eateries dish out some of the
freshest and tastiest oysters in town.
Empire
Oyster Bar
EMPIRE OYSTER BAR
Nestled in the popular Intermezzo
Coffee and Cocktails, Empire Oyster
shucks out delicious oysters with a side
of oyster education. Tampa Bay’s only
omakase style oyster service means that
you get to eat them as they are shucked,
learning fun facts and receiving chef
recommendations on the best toppings.
Oh, and they won Creative Loafing’s
2017 Critics Choice Award for Best
Oyster Bar in the Tampa Bay Area,
which makes them a must-try!
ROUX
Oysters are an obligation when you
think about a menu that blends
southern, Cajun and creole food styles.
Roux delivers with a menu offering
gorgeous oysters on the half shell,
pairing them with a Cajun cocktail sauce
and creole mignonette. If raw oysters
aren’t your thing, try their char-grilled
oysters that they top with an indulgent
mix of Romano, parmesan cheeses and
their Roux compound butter. If that’s
not tempting enough, they have $1
oysters on their happy hour menu.
EDISON: FOOD+DRINK LAB
If you’re looking for an “everything is
amazing” menu, Tampa’s Edison Food
Lab is the place to go. Food marries
innovation, even with something as
simple as an oyster. We urge you to try
their Potato Crusted Oysters topped with
dill pickle nectar, house dijonaise and
finished with a micro Dijon. Another
favorite of ours is their Wood Roasted
Oysters, topped with a wildly fulfilling
miso butter and sherry mignonette.
ROWE BAR AT THE DON CESAR
Sometimes all you need is a good oyster
after a day of having your toes in the
sand. Try visiting the beachside Rowe
in The Don CeSar Hotel. Enjoy as many
oysters as your heart desires in their
fresh new modern nautical space. They
offer both East and West Coast oysters,
Roux
Edison: Food+Drink Lab
20 localsDISH NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017