Fall RIVAH 2011 - The Rappahannock Record

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44 t sauté them, broil them, steam them, stew them, skewer them, drop them in a shot of vodka/beer/bloody mary … just about anything,” said Croxton. Woods says one of his favorite oyster recipes is a ham and oyster pot pie. raw, insisting that the less you do to them, the better. However you like them, there are a few guidelines for oyster serving and preparation: bed of ice. for about ten to 15 minutes to relax the muscles of the oysters. oysters will not need to be salted. ing, or baking on the half-shell. ence—smaller and younger oysters will most likely be more tender. rubbery, chewy waste of good shellfish. When the edges begin to curl, they’ve had enough heat. Just in case you needed another reason to suck down some oysters, it might be worth mentioning that these shellfish help the Chesapeake Bay. Oysters are a lynchpin species, says Croxton, meaning that if we lose them, the whole system could crumble. Each oyster planted will filter 50 to 60 gallons of water a day, in addition to producing millions of larvae that will develop into future wild oysters. As they filter the water, removing excess algae, sunlight can start penetrating the formerly opaque water and spur grasses, which in turn produce oxygen and hold down shifting soils. “If you’re looking for guilt free gluttony, you’ve met your match. The more you eat, the more we have to plant. And the more we plant, the better off the Bay is,” said Croxton. There you have it, everything you need to know about oysters in a nut—err—oyster shell! Try ‘em before you buy ‘em by Shannon Rice For those who have been itching to jump onto the oyster bandwagon but are still intimidated by the delicacy, Merroir Tasting Room in Topping provides a tasty opportunity. “If you like farm-to-fork style eating, you’ll love this,” says executive chef Peter Woods. Located at Locklies Marina on the Rappahannock River, Merroir is a gourmet oyster tasting house featuring the celebrated farms of Rappahannock River Oyster Company, also on the marina site. The tasting room has four craft brews on tap as well as a dozen different wines, champagne and sangria. For $10, visitors can indulge in samplings of the RROC’s award-winning oysters paired with local craft brews or wine before they decide to purchase some to take home. Rappahannock, Stingray and Olde Salt oysters are served with any of the four mignonettes or sauces created inhouse by chef Woods. Other items served at Merroir include clams, steamed shrimp and crab cakes. Café and picnic tables outside the tasting room provide a picturesque view of the very waters the oysters came from. “You can’t get any fresher than this,” says Woods. In addition to the oysters, Merroir retails every bottle of wine and beer it serves. Merroir is at 784 Locklies Creek Road in Topping and is open from noon to 8 p.m. weekdays and noon to 9 p.m. weekends. Merroir Tasting Room is a gourmet oyster tasting house featuring the celebrated farms of Rappahannock River Oyster Company. Raw oysters should always be served chilled on a bed of ice. Merroir visitors can view their oysters being harvested right on site. 46
Oyster roast and cornhole tournament slated Oct. 15 IRVINGTON—Parent chairmen Kelly Antonio, Camille Bragg and Jenny Johnson recently announced the 10th annual Chesapeake Academy Community Oyster Roast will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. October 15 at the Rowe Campus in Irvington. The roast is based on a roll-up-your-sleeves southern tradition, which features sacks of fresh oysters in the shell dumped over outdoor grills and roasted until juice starts to bubble out of the shells, said development associate Catherine Emry. The oysters are then delivered to the tables where they need a nudge from an oyster knife to release the top shell and seductive aromas. Guests are urged to bring their own oyster knives. Advance tickets are $45 per person. Any remaining tickets will be $50 per person at the door. In addition to all-you-can-eat oysters, there will be clam chowder, French fried sweet potatoes, hot dogs, hamburgers, desserts, beer, wine and soft drinks. Folks must be age 21 or older to attend. Music will be provided by Honeywind from 7 to 9 p.m. There also will be a cornhole tournament. The entry fee will be $20 per two-person team. Sponsorships are available. Raffle tickets are $5 each, or three for $10. Prizes include a $750 gift certificate to Tri-Star Supermarket, a $500 gift certificate to Chubby’s, or a $100 gift certificate to Get & Zip Convenience Stores. To purchase tickets, or for sponsorship details, call Emry at 438-5575. This year, give him what he REALLY wants for Christmas! Capt. Tom’s Oyster Floats Oyster Gardening Floats, Spat and Supplies Delivery and Set-up Services Visit our website for our Deltaville, Irvington, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach & Onancock Farmers’ Market show dates! Can’t wait for a show? Supplies available at our Hartfield, Chesapeake & Onancock locations. Call or visit our website. Tom Noffsinger Deltaville, Va. Phone: (804) 815-1423 www.oystergardening.com tom@oystergardening.com N BLETT APPLIANCE & PROPANE Keep Warm - Be Cool www.noblett.com 47
Page 1 and 2: Places to go and things to do in th
Page 3 and 4: Ebb&Flow S
Page 5 and 6: Rivah Events To avoid disappointmen
Page 7 and 8: “Kiss My Little Girls,” a Civil
Page 9 and 10: “Scary Halloween in the Park” w
Page 11 and 12: Events Urbanna Christmas Parade act
Page 13 and 14: Monday, December 19 s Bingo, 7 p.m.
Page 15 and 16: s Fine Swiss Cheese, 10 p.m., Damon
Page 17 and 18: ❶ Rivah Life 1. Devin Cox gets a
Page 19 and 20: The James Monroe Birthplace Museum
Page 21 and 22: Rivah Museums & Historic Sites All
Page 23 and 24: Museums house. A 1700’s restored
Page 25 and 26: Rivah Lodging Unless noted, all rat
Page 27 and 28: guest rooms with private baths, cab
Page 29 and 30: Hartfield firemen set golf tourney
Page 31 and 32: All area codes are 804 unless other
Page 33 and 34: Kanyon R. Keeney, D.D.S.
Page 35 and 36: Diversions breath and movement, awa
Page 37 and 38: Kathleen Noffsinger Watercolors, Pr
Page 39 and 40: All area codes are 804 unless other
Page 41 and 42: 39 t powerboat slips. 776-7272 s St
Page 43 and 44: Visit our website at www.ssentinel.
Page 45: 3 steps for the beginner shucker 1
Page 49 and 50: Rivah Dining Restaurants are listed
Page 51 and 52: Dining chef’s specials. Lunch Tue
Page 53 and 54: Dining seafood, grilled steaks, loc
Page 55 and 56: y Audrey Thomasson ottsburg’s tra
Page 57 and 58: History Essex County’s history in
Page 59 and 60: White Stone Southern Gateway to The
Page 61 and 62: History Middlesex County was formed
Page 63: 301 Potomac Gateway Visitor Center

Fall RIVAH 2011 - The Rappahannock Record

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