BP Oysterette, a cheery little seafood eatery that specializes in, you guessed it, oysters, opened yesterday in Santa Monica. Not just anywhere in Santa Monica either, but right on Ocean Avenue, a few blocks up from Santa Monica pier and thus with a terrific view of the water. Just the place for a casual seafood place, with café tables outside, a few tables inside, and a big bar where you can drink your Stella Artois and watch the cooks shuck oysters–today there were Lunas from Carlsbad, Bahia Falsas from Mexico, Hood Canals from Washington State and Meltcalf Bays from B.C.–and prepare all that fried calamari and clam chowder. BP Oysterette is owned by Jennifer Morton, who also owns Blue Plate Restaurant on Montana.

“We're trying to fill a void for affordable seafood,” said BP Oysterette chef Violet Robles, who was at Blue Plate until taking over at Oysterette, while preparing lunch in the open kitchen behind the bar this afternoon. “If you go to many places around here, you have to spend $200 on a date.” With only three dishes on the menu over $18 (a dozen oysters, either grilled or raw; and the lobster roll), you probably won't have that problem at Oysterette.

BP Oysterette: 1355 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica; (310) 576-3474.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.