Ordering Oysters Online

[JLK]

Have any of you purchased seafood (specifically oysters) through online gourmet food sites? If so, would you recommend it?

Alternately, can you suggest a place locally to purchase a variety of West Coast oysters? [note: I'm not looking for restaurants serving oysters; I'm all set in that regard.]

ETA: here's one option <-click->

[mdt]

Have any of you purchased seafood (specifically oysters) through online gourmet food sites?  If so, would you recommend it?

Alternately, can you suggest a place locally to purchase a variety of West Coast oysters?  [note: I'm not looking for restaurants serving oysters; I'm all set in that regard.]

ETA: here's one option <-click->

I was at Slavin's yesterday to buy some fish and they sell boxes of oysters. Not sure how much you want or how readily they stock those from the West Coast, but give them a call.

[crackers]

Try going directly to the source: the Hog Island Oysters Company on Tomales Bay in Northern California. They will fly them to you FedEx in insulated boxes with freezie bags inside.

Edited February 1, 2006 by crackers

[cjsadler]

I'd talk to Black Salt, though they tend towards East Coast more.

[JLK]

Gotta be West. Thanks for the suggestions.

[TedE]

I'd talk to Black Salt, though they tend towards East Coast more.

The times I've been there they've had a fair selection from the West, but I admit it's been awhile. I've always found the seafood counter folks to be very helpful, and I bet if given sufficient lead time they would work with you for a special order, especially if it was something they would serve in the restaurant anyway.

[Waitman]

I need to grab three or four dozen oysters for Sunday and hope not to break the bank. The Oyster People at Dupont Circle used to have relatively inexpensive and brutally fresh bivalves, besides being a couple of old sweeties, but he's, sadly, under the weather these days (though recovering well, I hear, knock on wood). Whole Foods is an expensive proposition and the oysters are not always as fresh as they'd have you believe. Any other suggestions within, say, five miles of the District Line?

[Al Dente]

Maine Ave fish market?

[Waitman]

Maine Ave fish market?

I've always had good luck with them, but I'm always nervous. Some of their fish is damn nasty, and you can't see the oysters.

[Al Dente]

I've always had good luck with them, but I'm always nervous. Some of their fish is damn nasty, and you can't see the oysters.

Agreed. I got some really good clams there a couple of weeks though. If that counts for anything. Ask them to shuck you one.

[cjsadler]

I'd give BlackSalt's fish counter a call. Not sure what the price will be (could be out of your range), but I've found the seafood there to be worth it, and sometimes even a real deal (like the "Black Pearl" salmon).

[Ilaine]

I need to grab three or four dozen oysters for Sunday and hope not to break the bank. The Oyster People at Dupont Circle used to have relatively inexpensive and brutally fresh bivalves, besides being a couple of old sweeties, but he's, sadly, under the weather these days (though recovering well, I hear, knock on wood). Whole Foods is an expensive proposition and the oysters are not always as fresh as they'd have you believe. Any other suggestions within, say, five miles of the District Line?

I've always wanted to order oysters on-line from Rappahannock River Oysters -- they're $1 each and they fedex to your door.

http://www.rroysters.com/Admin/Shop_Show_c...p?catid=Oysters

Maybe not feasible for this weekend.

I have eaten their oysters and they are very good. My favorites are the Old Salt Chincoteagues.

[Demetrius]

Ilaine is absolutely correct! RRO is the best way to go when ordering fresh oysters delivered to your door.

[Waitman]

I've always wanted to order oysters on-line from Rappahannock River Oysters -- they're $1 each and they fedex to your door.

http://www.rroysters.com/Admin/Shop_Show_c...p?catid=Oysters

Maybe not feasible for this weekend.

I have eaten their oysters and they are very good. My favorites are the Old Salt Chincoteagues.

The punks don't deliver on Saturdays! And I could almost taste those old salts....

[Waitman]

We finally got oysters shipped from Rapahannock and they are possibly the best oysters I've ever eaten in the U.S. including the 83 varieties I sampled at the last Old Ebbit Oyster Riot. I urge everyone on the board to buy a bushel of Stingray's and a case of Chablis (the Drouhin non-village Chablis is quite good at $21.00 a bottle) and treat yourself.

[MeMc]

Rowan Jacobsen's blog lists a bunch of interesting sources if you don't want to trek to pick them up.

[hillvalley]

I'm giving live oysters as a gift this year and am looking for suggestions of online providers that sell gift certificates. All the ones I have found require a predetermined delivery date and since this is a gift I want the recipient to be able to choose the date.

The oysters will ultimately end up in Brooklyn, so suggestions of good seafood purveyors in NY would be great too.

[KMango]

Have had them bookmarked forever, but have yet to order from Rappahannock River Oysters. On their website, they mention "For gift certificates, call 1-804-204-1709."

If nothing else, a conversation with them might yield additional leads.

[mdt]

Have had them bookmarked forever, but have yet to order from Rappahannock River Oysters. On their website, they mention "For gift certificates, call 1-804-204-1709."

If nothing else, a conversation with them might yield additional leads.

Rappahanock River Oysters are terrific. I would not hesitate to get a gift certificate from them. They ship for delivery on Wednesdays and Fridays. When you place an order you select the date that you want them delivered. I makes planning ahead very easy.

[xcanuck]

I second mdt's recommendation about Rappahanock River Oysters. Waitman originally turned me on to them. I've ordered from them before and love their oysters!! Excellent customer service, too.

[Waitman]

You might also considerThe Fresh Lobster Company, which has some excellent Wellfleets available. Also, sea urchins.

[Soup]

Really like RRO. Capt Jack's sells them but you have to drive to south of fredericksburg.

[goodeats]

For future reference: Island Creek Oysters. Apparently this is a new launch but they have been providing to top notch restaurants for a long time.

[Ilaine]

We would like to ring in the New Year with raw oysters at home.  I see that Rappahannock River Oysters ships fresh oysters via Fedex overnight, but my husband has asked me to source Raspberry Points, which grow off the coast of Prince Edward Island, available via Marx Foods and Farm-2-Market.

Has anybody ordered oysters online?  Which vendors have you used?  Were you satisfied by the results?

[mdt]

We would like to ring in the New Year with raw oysters at home.  I see that Rappahannock River Oysters ships fresh oysters via Fedex overnight, but my husband has asked me to source Raspberry Points, which grow off the coast of Prince Edward Island, available via Marx Foods and Farm-2-Market.

Has anybody ordered oysters online?  Which vendors have you used?  Were you satisfied by the results?

I have only ordered Rappahannock's and have had no issues with them at all. You could also look at getting some fresh oysters at WF or Wegman's as they usually have a good fresh assortment for around $0.99/piece.

[Ilaine]

Ordered the Atlantic oyster sampler from American Mussel, located in Rhode Island, which should include a dozen Raspberry Points. Also ordered three pounds of mussels.  They said I had to order today to get it by New Year's Eve, in case it was delayed.  Having never had a Fedex Overnight Express delayed, I actually expect the shipment tomorrow.  Now, inquiring minds want to know, how to store the shipment?  Just put the box, contents and all, in the fridge?

Based on shipping cost, it appears that Marx Foods and Farm-2-market must ship from the West Coast, which means that Atlantic coast oysters are shipped to Seattle, then shipped to Washington DC, which does not seem ideal for something as perishable as oysters.  Edit: Farm-2-market finally responded to my request, stating that East coast oysters are shipped from an Eastern location.  I see that Marx Foods also has an Eastern location.  But their shipping prices seem high.  Seems like they are charging the rate to ship from the West coast.

I will edit to comment on the shipment later, when received and consumed.

[MTPeter]

 how to store the shipment?  Just put the box, contents and all, in the fridge?

You definitely want to open the box and repackage in your fridge. I'm sure they'll include instructions - but mussels need to breathe  and you want to make sure the little fellows don't freeze.  I usually transfer to a large bowl and cover lightly with a damp paper towel.

[Ilaine]

I am biting my nails with anxiety right now, worrying that my critters are suffocating.  I paid for the super duper expedited shipping, supposed to be here by 10 am or so.  It's after 2 pm, my husband seems to call me every hour.  He's home waiting for the shipment.  The Fedex tracking number says they are on the truck.  So far, the only thing that's arrived is the nightgown my son bought me for Christmas.

[Ilaine]

Following up. Oysters were delivered at 4 pm. Shipping label said I had ordinary express, not super duper, which I paid for. Be that as it may, contents were cold and fresh, in a styrofoam box, with blue ice which was still frozen. Prepped it all the next day, New Years Eve. Mussels according to an Epicurious recipe, cook the mussels plain, nothing added, in a heavy Dutch oven until they open. Use the rendered liquid in a garlic butter sauce. I don't much care for mussels, but these were the best I've had. Mussel lovers loved them. Extraordinarily fresh.

Body builder son opened all the oysters for us old fogies, and, more importantly, his lady love. Served with lots of lemon and mignonette, very fresh and tasty. I thought most were a little skimpy, perhaps a bit dehydrated in transit, but a venture a couple of days later to Rappahannock River Oysters in Union Market produced a similar ratio of skimpy ones, so I doubt it's the shipping, maybe the age or time of year.

I would rate American Mussel five stars but for the downgrade in the shipping. All shellfish arrived in a mesh bag clearly labeled by variety. Every one was still alive and fresh. Excellent value for money. My husbands favorites, Raspberry Points, were, indeed the best, and all were consumed gratefully.