It was so much shucking fun last year, Long Island Oyster Week is back again.
A co-project from the creators Long Island Restaurant Week and the Long Island Oyster Growers Association, the delicious fun runs from October 14 through 20, when participating Long Island restaurants will be offering $1 and $2 oyster specials of bivalves sourced from local growers to celebrate and showcase the bounty and delicious beauty of Long Island oysters.
While oysters have long been an edible highlight of life on the East End, they also serve a higher purpose that goes beyond epicurean endeavors. Oysters are an important part of our local aquaculture — and lately, have been part and parcel to some pretty heavy lifting when it comes to staving off the (brown and red) tide of pollutant issues our waters face. Our mighty bivalves currently contribute to the removal of over 192,000 pounds of nitrogen and 57,000 pounds of carbon that enter our waterways annually. That’s an impressive amount of work from such a tiny little bivalve.
“Long Island Oyster Week is not just a celebration of seafood; it’s a testament to the region’s commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and the revival of a natural resource that purifies our waters and supports local economies,” said Eric Koepele, president of the Long Island Oyster Growers Association, in a statement to the press. “It underscores the importance of oysters in our ecosystem, highlighting their role in filtering water, restoring habitats, and fostering a connection between the community and its environment.”
Restaurants from west to eastern Long Island are participating, and on our North and South forks (and the nearby vicinity) the following are ready to show you a pearl of a good time:
- Billy’s by the Bay, 2530 Manhanset Ave., Greenport, 631-477-8300
- Blue Point Brewing Company, 225 W. Main St., Patchogue, 631-627-8292
- Calissa, 1020 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, 631-500-9292
- Farm Country Kitchen, 513 W. Main St., Riverhead, 631-369-6311
- Riverhead Brew House, 221 E. Main St., Riverhead, 631-212-1260
- The Bell & Anchor, 3253 Noyac Road, Sag Harbor, 631-725-3400
