Aw, shucks - why mess with oyster perfection

Aaron Cooper tosses back a freshly opened oyster yesterday at Ocean Fantastic in Dunedin. Picture / Otago Daily Times

The first Bluff oysters of the season arrive at Auckland Fish Market this morning for auction, and manager Nigel Thomas is expecting a busy day.

"It's always massively popular, with the new oysters on the table at 6am."

A dozen are expected to go for about $24 at wholesale and that is likely to set the retail price, Mr Thomas said.

Supermarkets that spoke to the Herald expected to have Bluff oysters in store by the end of this week, but said they were unable to confirm prices yet. But for those who cannot wait, and enjoy a little decadence, Soul Bar at the Viaduct Harbour is flying in oysters, a shucking machine and shucker in a bid to be the first Auckland restaurant to offer the legendary dish.
It will cost $110 to enjoy freshly shucked oysters on the bar terrace from 11.30am to 2pm today. Operations manager Geeling Ng said five oyster dishes would be available, including wasabi and oyster shooters. Champagne would also be on offer.

"I think we'll probably get through quite a few and have a shucker with a very sore arm."

The menu will have a range of options, but Ms Ng has her own ideas on the best way to eat the legendary oysters.

"For a purist like me, it's clearly on their own," she said. "Why mess with perfection?"