V-Day Planner: In Search of the Big O

Ply her with aphrodisiacs all night, and you've got it made, right? This week in New Times, Robb Walsh dispenses pearls of wisdom on the world's favorite bivalve here. And below, a plan to spend your V-Day shelling out:Sage Bistro and Oyster Bar 2000 Harrison St,, Hollywood, 954-391-9466 This swank new raw bar and...

By Gail Shepherd

February 11, 2009

[
        {
          "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
          "component": "16971022",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "15769925",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Rectangle 2x - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782206",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782207",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Ply her with aphrodisiacs all night, and you've got it made, right? This week in New Times, Robb Walsh dispenses pearls of wisdom on the world's favorite bivalve here. And below, a plan to spend your V-Day shelling out:

Sage Bistro and Oyster Bar

2000 Harrison St,, Hollywood, 954-391-9466

This swank new raw bar and French bistro keeps at least four kinds of oysters on ice, all flown in daily. You might find Blue Point, Kumamoto, Fanny Bay, Island Creek, or Barron Point. They're pricey, though, at $28 a dozen. (See the full review here.)

Shuck n' Dive Cajun Café

650 N. Federal Hwy., Ft. Lauderdale, 954-462-0088

It sounds just like what it is: a bayou oyster shack transplanted to Lauderdale. Order Louisiana Black Bay oysters freshly shucked, baked Rockefeller-style, fried, and stuffed into a poboy ($12.99), served with butter and blue cheese as "black and blues" or barbecued (all $8.99). Pair with a plate of fried green tomatoes.

Southport Raw Bar

1536 Cordova Rd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-525-2526

This

favorite waterside hangout serves six oysters Southport for $7.25 or

raw on the half shell for $9.75 a dozen, shucked to order. Mop up the

oyster liquor with a mini loaf of Bimini bread.

Spoto's Oyster Bar and Blue Point Lounge

4560 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, 561-776-9448

Freshly

shucked Cotuit, Wellfleet, Blue Point, Kumamoto, and Malpeque oysters

from Spoto's are practically a Palm Beach County rite of passage. Many

recall oyster-sodden afternoons at the recently closed downtown West

Palm Beach Spoto's as the ultimate half-shell experience. Luckily, the

new Palm Beach Gardens location has an open-air bar offering a daily

featured oyster, mix-and-match plates, plus shooters and a "Blue Point

martini" served with a side of vodka. Currently, they're $14 to $16 for

a half dozen.

Tark's of Dania

1317 S. Federal Hwy., Dania Beach, 954-925-8275

Locals

congregate at the counter of this hole in the wall for the best value

on fried and raw oysters, but don't expect white-tablecloth service.

Still, the singing, wisecracking chef is a hoot. The bill: $9.50 a

dozen.

Shuck Them Yourself:

Fish Peddler East

2805 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale,

954-491-1441

A dozen Bon Secour Louisiana oysters will cost you $9.95.

Cod and Capers

4128 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, 561-622-0994

Apalachicola

Florida oysters are $8 dozen, or buy a box of about 80 to 85 oysters

for $37. They also carry James River oysters from Delaware. Call for

availability.

Pop's Fish Market

131 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, 954-427-1331

Apalachicola Florida oysters are a steal at $5.99 a dozen.

Whole Foods

Various locations in Palm Beach and Broward counties.

Call ahead, because they carry fresh oysters only sporadically.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of South Florida, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.