Celebrate Oyster Day August 5th at These Top Ethnic Eateries

(Gerry Furth-Sides) Yes, it is another one of those food holidays without a specific historic origin but  (almost) everyone who loves oysters loves appreciates new versions from chefs, with favorites or new tries.  Did you know there are over 100 different species of oysters?  Or that they are typically named after the body of water in which they’re grown because oysters take on the characteristics of the water in which they live.

Other interesting oyster facts:

• The largest oyster-producing body of water in the world is located in the Chesapeake Bay estuary shared by Maryland and Virginia.  It is in the Mid-Atlantic but separated from the ocean.
• Almost two billion pounds of oysters are eaten each year in the world.
• In the U.S., east coast oysters tend to be smaller, milder and saltier. West coast oysters are creamy and sweet.
• Only one out of every 10,000 oysters will produce a pearl.

Bone Kettle in the heart of Pasadena, offers a unique Southeast Asian cuisine take on oysters, on August 5.   At Happy Hour the bar pairs a refreshing drink with Partner and Executive Chef Erwin Tjahyadi’s refreshing chilled Oysters served with seasonal mignonette and granite specially priced at a $1.25 per Oyster.

Bone Kettle will be open on National Oyster Day, Monday, August 5^th, 2019 and offering Happy Hour for Lunch from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. and for Dinner from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm; 67 North Raymond Avenue Pasadena, CA 91103; 626.795.5702; www.BoneKettle.com

Vinoteca, the Italian-inspired bar adjacent to Culina at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills offers  $1.00 Oysters and $10.00 Rosé on National Oyster Day.  300 South Doheny Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90048; 310.860.4000, www.CulinaRestaurant.com.  Culina & Vinoteca at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Hours:  Happy Hour from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm;

At HATCH Yakitori + Bar in  DTLA, Executive Chef Daniel Shemtob offers his Chilled, Grilled or Fried Fresh Oysters served with an ume mignotte for just $2.00 each during Happy Hour from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  Oysters can be paired with HATCH Blend Red or HATCH Chenin Blanc wines for $8.00 each.  Also available are a “Half Dozen Oysters  Chilled, Grilled or Fried” all evening after Happy Hour for $20.00 per order, and wash them down the Samurai way with Sake served by the carafe featuring the Bushido: Way of the Warrior as a Draft option for $12.00, or HATCH Yakitori + Bar’s own HATCH Organic and HATCH Nigori Sake.

HATCH Yakitori + Bar. 700 West 7^thStreet, Suite G600, Los Angeles, CA 90017; 213.282.9070; www.HATCHYakitori.com Hours: is open on Monday, August 5^th, 2019 and will be offering Happy Hour from 5:00 pm -7:00 pm, Dinner from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm; 

 www.HATCHYakitori.com

The wonderful, historic The Raymond 1886 in Pasadena honors this National Oyster Day with buttery Grilled Massachusetts Oysters prepared with salted and herbed French butter on The Raymond 1886 Dinner Menu, or spice things up and enjoy the Micro-Farmed Massachusetts freshly shucked Oysters served with yuzu and fermented jalapeño hot sauce on the 1886 Bar Bites Menu.

The Raymond 1886,  1250 South Fair Oak Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105, 626.441.3136; www.TheRaymond.com.  The Raymond will offer Oysters on the Dinner Menu and on the 1886 Bar Bites Menu during their regular house starting this coming Tues -Sun,  5:30 pm to 10:00 pm;

 WeHo Bistro in West Hollywood celebrates National Oyster Day with  Fried Oysters served as an order of four with a spicy harissa mayo and house-made ranch, offered all week, day or evening.   the House Red, White, Rosé and Champagne can be paired with  Fried Oysters for $6.00 per glass. Beer drinkers can down either a Palma Louca Lager or Weihenstephaner Pilsner for $5.00, or a Feelin’ Cute IPA for $6.00.

WeHo Bistro, 1040 North La Cienega Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069; 310.657.9696; www.WeHoBistro.com.  Hours: Monday- Sunday from 9:00 am -Midnight daily. WeHo Bistro’s Magic Hour: daily from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and from 10:00 pm to close).