Besha RodellLeading up to this year's Best of L.A. issue (due out Oct. 3), we'll be bringing you periodic lists of some of the best things we've found to eat and drink around town. Ice cream sandwiches and bowls of tsukemen, fish tacos and dan dan mien, cups of boba and glasses of booze. Read on.
Oysters are one of those foods that are somehow more alluring, more addictive than the average luxury. Once you get a taste for them there is a fundamental need for them, deep in your soul. Luckily, L.A. is having an oyster boom right now, with spots like L&E Oyster Bar, Connie & Ted's and Fishing With Dynamite all opening over the last 18 months, all serving up fantastic oyster selections. Still, at those places oysters are pricey, making it hard to get your fill.
Where can you go to just gorge yourself? We sought out three spots with great oyster specials, so you can slurp to your heart's content without breaking the bank. Turn the page.
$1 oysters at Messhall; Credit: B. Rodell
3. Messhall
On Tuesday nights, Messhall offers $1 oysters and $5 beers.There is a catch: only one variety of oyster from the five or so Messhall offers are $1 — the rest are market price (around $3 each). On the evening we went, Blue Pointe oysters were $1, and it was hard to fight the siren call of all those other delicious varieties. Still, it is quite a deal, and a very cheap way to slurp to your heart's content if you don't mind the lack of variety. The $5 beers go down pretty easy on that patio as well. 4500 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles; 323-660-6377.
Oysters and more at the Hungry Cat Santa Monica; Credit: Roger Braunstein via flickr
On Monday nights, the Hungry Cat in Santa Monica serves oysters at 1/2 price, meaning around $8.50 for 6 and $16 for 12. Usually around 3 varieties are included, which means you can select from varieties like Lunas from C.A., Pickering Pass from W.A. and Misty Point from V.A. Another bonus: Hungry Cat's wine list is incredibly oyster friendly. It's not cheap, but perhaps you can splurge on wine after all that money you've saved on oysters. 100 W. Channel Road, Santa Monica; 310-459-3337.
Monday night oyster special at Chateau Marmont; Credit: B. Rodell
In the midst of the absolute douchiest strip of Hollywood, Chateau Marmont remains a temple to old Hollywood, a classier, more worn-in version of American excess. The hotel, restaurant and bar might still play host to starlets and showbiz drama, but early on a quiet Monday evening the bar is nothing but charming vintage glamour. Slide up to the bar, make yourself at home next to the antique parrot prints and brocade accents and order a platter of oysters, which the kitchen sells at cost on Mondays. “Cost” means whatever the restaurant paid for them, and is usually $1.25 or $1.50 an oyster. There are generally three or four varieties to choose from, from both the East and West coast. The bar also has wine specials to go along with the oysters — a recent $9 Alsatian Sylvaner was a beautiful pairing for Malpeques, Naked Cowboys and more. 8221 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles; 323-656-1010.
See also:
– 5 Great Ice Cream Sandwiches to Beat the Heat
– Top 5 Armenian Bakeries in Los Angeles
– 3 Great Bento Boxes in Los Angeles
– 3 Great Banh Beo in Los Angeles
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