the world is your OYSTER: Stingray Lounge

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Oysters are supposed to be sexy, at least that’s what people say. They’re an aphrodisiac (if that’s a thing) and a delicacy. I want to believe it. I want to believe that those slimy wet globs are as seductive, visceral, delicious, and intriguing as people say they are.

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Stingray Lounge made me believe. The new-in-town seafood bar and eatery does in fact make oysters sexy. There is something poetic in the mechanical dirty work of shucking an oyster. There is something thrilling about not knowing what to expect when the shallow dish of ice displaying a ring of mysterious morsels slides in front of you. There is something luxurious about the smooth and creamy nature of the Blue Point, the sheer softness of the Stingray, or the melt-in- your mouth quality of the Pearl Passage. There is something surprising in the strong flavor of the Kumamoto, the meaty firmness of the Conway Cup, or the metallic saltiness of the Hood Canal. There is something unnerving about their slinky texture and origins, and yet there is something intoxicating about an oyster’s pure freshness, overwhelming rawness and pristine character.

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It is not just about the oysters themselves at Stingray Lounge— it’s about the ambiance you are thrown into crossing the threshold as well. No matter how bright and bustling it is on Washington Street, there is a captivating silence and refreshing refinement that oozes mature sexiness encapsulated in the lounge. The details help to make the experience sensual: the cool greys and blues, painted brick, speckled marble slabs, finely appointed furniture. You forget where you are and submit. 

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Despite the trendy vibe, Stingray still maintains a warmth and friendliness where extravagance and attitude have not overwhelmed familiarity. Plus, the 4 to 7 pm happy hour offering half-off oysters and bubbly makes it easy to come, sample and linger.

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re.CAP: YELP's for lovers & friends

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The Yelp Elite Event, Yelp’s for Lovers & Friends, was absolutely delectable. The beautiful restaurant, Maritime Parc, made for a perfect venue for the Valentine’s Day inspired event. The place is gorgeous with incredible views, contemporary décor and a knack for the delicious.

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Beautifully orchestrated bites were passed around to the yelp elites and their guests. Each taste underlined and highlighted the aesthetic and the culinary vision of the restaurant.

A singular seared scallop rested on a tangy sauce with a delicate moment of micro greens, lush, elegant, and faultless.

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Rounded mounds of briny and succulent lobster risotto floated on wooden spoons, chewy and luxurious and studded with fatty chorizo.

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Oyster shells served as the ideal vessel for meaty grilled oysters drowning in cream with creamy leeks and salty bacon.

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Each slider with a buttery bun, caramelized onions, quality beef and special sauce was like sinking into something solid and familiar.

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Fat crab dumplings swam in pretty teacups, doused in sweet and spicy broth and floating goodies with an exotic flare, similar to the braised pork belly “Kung Bao” style.

The bar offered mixed drinks that were fresh and tropical, boasting pineapple and tequila, gin and sunshine, and rum with a red wine float. These cocktails spoke to the curated seafood landscape of the menu.

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The exquisite tasting was rounded off with sultry desserts. Bite-sized hot fried dough rounds filled generously with blueberries and ricotta cheese, brought on sophisticated sweetness, while the sticky toffee pudding with nuts and fruit evoked strange comfort.

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We were so lucky to get another taste of Maritime Parc and chat with other Yelpers and their guests. The event only made me want to visit the eatery again for a proper Valentine’s Day date night.

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sunlight & SEAFOOD: Hog Island Oyster Bar

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Hog Island Oyster Bar does not serve as much reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the Ferry Building Marketplace. Lunchtime crowds swarm and flock, attracted to the oysters, the view and the sunshine pelting in from the wharf. It’s busy, there’s a wait, but breathing in the outdoors and fresh water induces some calm. Once seated and the menu hugged, time slows and the sun can be enjoyed.

The gorgeous light makes everything taste more fresh, more whole, and more dreamy.

Emerald gems of oysters Rockefeller rest quietly on a bed of crystals, inviting the earthiness of spinach and sweetness of onions to play with the brightness of lemon and illumination. Fresh hot Old Bay fries bask in afternoon rays and bring smiles to faces. Jade padron peppers and amethyst leaves glisten, shiny with oil and studded with salt, ushering the fresh tastes of moments to come.

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A pretty swirl of thick pasta snakes around heart-shaped clamshells, animated in the Californian sun. Bright green leek tops entangle summer flavors, soaking up wet wheat broth and corona bean bodies. The open steamed clams, calling to be devoured, are paired with the subtly of fennel sausage, a different kind of salty in the clear broth. Each element is a little slippery, but the faint summer sun eliminates murkiness and provides a hearty glow.

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Blue skies transform the clam chowder into summer memories, sunny with sweet and briny clams, chewy but just right. They are a bouquet of eerie, symmetrical gradient grey shells as graceful as petals, that moves with the glitter of the sun. The water-thin broth reflects a golden hue, like a rinse, just enough to tickle the eager clams. It’s creamy and rich, like lucid dreams, sticking to your tongue with flavor not heaviness. Dark red rashers of salty bacon are almost poached in the milky liquid, which is fervently speckled with green herbs and spicy black pepper. Fat potato pieces bob as the clam meats are plucked from their shells. A perfect combination of just enough.

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Something about the eatery is more than just oysters and beautiful seafood. There is a kind of escape with each bite, a reflection of the origins of each pure ingredient.

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photo op: July 4th Weekend

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This post is photo heavy, but don't worry pictures don't have calories! 

Hope everyone had a delicious Independence Day. I just happened to stuff my face the whole entire weekend per usual. We deffo celebrated the biggest hotdog holiday to the fullest with a ton of hotdogs. The Fourth of July was filled with tasty bites like homemade hummus, a corn, cucumber and avocado salad, and sweet baked beans. There were grilled hotdogs with all the toppings, sweet marinated chicken and fat juicy burgers galore. Steamers drenched in butter, oysters freshly grilled, and scallops seasoned. The feast was topped off with our fresh blueberry pie (more on this later), nutty and crispy homemade baklava, caramel crumb apple pie, and a colorful fruit pizza. As with almost all holidays, mine was all about food!

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Eat anything good or have any fun adventures? Get any mosquito bites like I did? Don’t forget to follow on facebook, instagram, twitter, yelp and pintrest to keep up with all the food adventures.

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