Each year we have a bit of a holiday tradition with a couple of other fun-loving Islanders: a bottle (or 2 or 3 or ...) of champagne and a raw oyster fest! It's a shame to have to wait a year between these events (okay, I admit it, sometimes I resort to some secret shucking in the intervening months...) - we always have a lot of laughs, and well, yes, a lot of oysters (and champagne - did I mention the champagne?).
My usual mission is to secure the oysters. David's is to pop the champagne corks into the garden (he can hit a yucca at 15 meters even on a windy day). And the e-mails start to fly back and forth a month or two in advance. "We'll be there on such and such date - you're getting the oysters ready, right? Don't forget the champagne!" The anticipation builds...
My usual mission is to secure the oysters. David's is to pop the champagne corks into the garden (he can hit a yucca at 15 meters even on a windy day). And the e-mails start to fly back and forth a month or two in advance. "We'll be there on such and such date - you're getting the oysters ready, right? Don't forget the champagne!" The anticipation builds...
Well if you ever find yourself in this situation (I encourage it!), I can't recommend the oysters at Great Brak River's own "Oyster World" highly enough (see my post from when the first opened last season which includes some photos or check out what other people say on TripAdvisor - I'm obviously not their only fan!).
A call in advance call to owner Hein Eksteen (082 412 9754) ensures you'll have them open and waiting on the half shell when you get there. They are clean - absolutely no grit or bits of shell - and they still have their slightly briney liquor which brings the flavour alive.
Hein knocks a bit of the price the more you order so the "per oyster price" for 12 is a bit cheaper than 6, and well, the 24 we had were a steal at just 15 rand a piece. And they were absolutely sensational - each and every single one of them. They had a soft but firm texture (I know that description seems incongruous, but somehow that's possible with oysters) and fantastic, fresh, mild flavour. I think both oyster "veterans" as well as tentative "newbies" would love them (they are not "challenging" like some stronger varieties).
A call in advance call to owner Hein Eksteen (082 412 9754) ensures you'll have them open and waiting on the half shell when you get there. They are clean - absolutely no grit or bits of shell - and they still have their slightly briney liquor which brings the flavour alive.
Hein knocks a bit of the price the more you order so the "per oyster price" for 12 is a bit cheaper than 6, and well, the 24 we had were a steal at just 15 rand a piece. And they were absolutely sensational - each and every single one of them. They had a soft but firm texture (I know that description seems incongruous, but somehow that's possible with oysters) and fantastic, fresh, mild flavour. I think both oyster "veterans" as well as tentative "newbies" would love them (they are not "challenging" like some stronger varieties).
Before: | After: |
 24 of our delicious large oysters, served on ice with a few lemon slices... Some purists have them as they come, others with a squeeze of lemon (or lemon and some freshly ground black pepper), or with a bit of tabasco. Or even with a teaspoon or two of champagne... |  Yup folks this is what 24 empty shells looks like... |
 I am not sure what the carrots are doing there - I think oysters are healthy enough on their own, don't you? |  And three empty champagne bottles. Okay, so this little tradition of ours usually turns into as much a champagne fest as an oyster fest! |
Of course, the champagne is optional - it does make it more fun though! Here's this year's line-up:
 Thelema 2011 Blanc de Blancs (Chardonnay) |  Boschendal 2009 Grande Cuvee Brut (Chardonnay Pinot Noir) |  Simonsig 2014 Kaapse Vonkel Brut (53% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir & 2% Pinot Meunier) |
After our oyster experience, I begged Hein if I could scan his menu to spread the word. Hey, I admit it: I'm selfish (or is that shellfish?) - I want to make sure Oyster World are around for many more years of our little oyster fests. And besides, I think it's great to support our local small businesses, don't you?
Well, fortunately for you, after a bit of arm-twisting, Hein relented and handed over a couple of his menus which I brought home and scanned.
Here's what's on offer as of 18 Jan 2016 (one caveat from me: if you happen to have stumbled upon this blog post 20 years from now, the menu and prices may have changed slightly...):
Well, fortunately for you, after a bit of arm-twisting, Hein relented and handed over a couple of his menus which I brought home and scanned.
Here's what's on offer as of 18 Jan 2016 (one caveat from me: if you happen to have stumbled upon this blog post 20 years from now, the menu and prices may have changed slightly...):
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And here's a bonus: if you're 65 and older (I'm assuming that's how old you have to be to be a pensioner around these parts...) and looking for a bit of mid-week romance, check out their Wednesday special for pensioners: a glass of white wine, served with hake and chips or rice for just R49.
So, do yourself a favour, give Hein a call on 082 412 9754 and have your own oyster fest - or drop by and enjoy a meal or drink while you relax on their picturesque outdoor patio next to the river. It's idyllic.
So, do yourself a favour, give Hein a call on 082 412 9754 and have your own oyster fest - or drop by and enjoy a meal or drink while you relax on their picturesque outdoor patio next to the river. It's idyllic.
This is from their opening last season - click the photo to read that post and for more photos
They are located near the Bolton Shoe Factory and the Great Brak Hardware Store, just before the Amy Searle bridge in the village. Make your way through the parking lot and you'll find them situated on the river bank on your right.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
