Best Oysters: Water Grill

Sure, there are plenty of elevated oyster interpretations in L.A. if you’re looking for bells and whistles and maybe a little help  in wrangling the little critters down. But if you’re a purist who loves their liquor, fresh grated horseradish  and prefers the option of ordering by size, origin or brininess from an extensive menu, Water Grill is the pearl when it comes to the freshest and most reliable oysters in Los Angeles.

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Water Grill’s Oyster Sampler (Courtesy of Water Grill)

Whether it’s the the original downtown L.A. location or its sister restaurant overlooking the Santa Monica pier on Ocean Avenue, there is always a choice of at least 16 different types of raw oysters  from across the country on the menu, including the rare Belon variety from Maine. This unique species (genus) of oyster can grow up to five inches in diameter and has a metallic flavor that mimics copper.

And just in case you do need something a little fancier,  the Honeymoon Oyster will be available starting in December and combines uni roe, tobiko (flying fish eggs), ikura (salmon roe) and a quail egg on top of a freshly shucked oyster. —Michele Stueven

544 S. Grand Ave., downtown; (213) 891-0900; 1401 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica; (310) 394-5669, watergrill.com.

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