The Wharf is the Place to Get Oysters
You know there’s oysters to be had at a place called the Wharf. Below, is the list of obvious and not so obvious places at the District Wharf to get your fill of tasty bi-valves.
Jessie Taylor Seafood
DC’s Municipal Fish Market is the oldest continuously operating open-air fish market in the United States. It is a true DC landmark where DC residents have been getting their fresh fish, steamed crabs and oysters for generations. Today, there is one remaining seafood vendor, Jessie Taylor Seafood, which has been operating at the market for decades. Seafood lovers can find shucked, steamed, and fried oysters for sale on large barges at the markets. It’s a true experience to buy the oysters right off the boat!
The Grill
The Grill exterior.
The motif at The Grill is “Miami Steakhouse” and of course oysters can be found on the appetizer list. The order comes in half or full dozen and are served with a choice of smoky-tomato cocktail or cucumber-champagne mignonette.
Hank’s Oyster Bar
Hank’s was one of the first businesses to open at the Wharf in 2017 and has become a neighborhood hangout. The oysters at Hank’s are freshly shucked at the dedicated oyster bar. The selection is fresh daily and usually represents three species from the east coast and three from the west coast. If you like your oysters fried be sure to get the oyster po-boy. For an oyster treat, don’t sleep on the Hog Island style bbq oysters. It’s Hank’s version of oysters Rockefeller, roasted in shell with breadcrumbs and zesty sauce.
Kaliwa
This pan asian restaurant has recently added oysters to its appetizers menu and they come with a Filipino flavor. Kaliwa serves presents oyster dish in the kinilaw na tababa tradition, which is a Filipino ceviche that comes with a calamansi mignonette.
Rappahannock Oyster Bar
Rappahannock leaves nothing to chance when it comes to its oysters, which is why the Virginia based company grows and harvests its own oysters. At Rappahannock, expect three varieties of oysters. The first is the namesake, the Rappahannock River oysters. They, of course, come from the company’s own headquarters on the Rappahannock River – near the mouth where the river flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Rochambeau oyster is farmed from the company’s Yorktown, Va. property on the York River. The third oyster offered is the Olde Salts oyster, farmed from its location in Chincoteague, Va. While at Rappahannock, it’s always a good idea to start your meal with a dozen fresh oysters on the halfshell. Order the combo and you’ll get four of each oyster. The Rappahannock River oysters are the least salty variety (13-17 ppt), the Rochambeau oysters range in the middle of saltiness (17-22 ppt); and the Olde Salts oysters are considered legendary, bring with it the brine of the Atlantic Ocean (28-33 ppt).
La Vie
La Vie
The mediterranean inspired, La Vie, has oysters on its “cold bar” menu that also includes a variety of seafood options. The oysters at La Vie are available as half or full dozen with mignonette, harissa, and cocktail sauce. They are also part of the very impressive Riviera Tower that includes lobster, mussels, shrimp cocktail, oysters, and hamachi.
Del Mar
Del Mar is considered the highest of high-end restaurants at the DC Wharf and is owned and operated by celebrity chef, Fabio Trabocchi. Del Mar is an ode to Trabocchi’s wife’s Spanish hometown of Palma de Mallorca, and a celebration of its seafood. At Del Mar, the oysters come as a starter on the half shell or part of a seafood tower.
Mi Vida
Mi Vida is a spectacular Mexican restaurant located at District Square offering traditional high-end cuisine. On the starter menu you will find oysters on the half shell under “ostiones.” These local oysters are presented on ice, half or full dozen, and come with Meco chile cocktail sauce and hibiscus red onions.
